NEWS BRIEFS: Thursday, May 30, 1996

Yale's Graduation interrupted by protests More than 5,000 Yale students, employees and New Haven residents took part in a rally to protest the university's corporate mistreatment of working families. The participants marched around the perimeter of Yale's "Old Campus," the site of the graduation activities. Several well-known political figures such as the Reverend Jesse Jackson, U.S. Congressperson Rosa DeLauro and Secretary of the State Miles Rappoport spoke at the rally. All of the speakers implored Yale to settle with the Federation of University Employees. And several stated the need for a settlement with the objectives of an improved community, fair treatment for the workers and more jobs opportunities. Graduating seniors from the university, as well as union workers and organizations from all over New Haven, also joined in the rally, as musical ensembles, community clergy and protesters from Barnard College performed and spoke. In addition, a 20-foot high Yale bulldog was flown above the streets, manned by the Puppeteers Coop of Boston. Jackson, in his keynote address, said the struggle for fair labor between Yale workers and the university was comparable to the civil rights movement. "The voting rights struggle was not just about Selma, just as the fight against corporate greed is not just about Yale," he said. -- By Lisa Sandell Stachitas named new Dir. of Alumni Relations Martha Stachitas has been named the new Director of Alumni Relations, according to University Spokesperson Barbara Beck. Stachitas has held the position of interim Director of Alumni Relations for the past six months, taking the place of former director Doris Cochran-Fikes who stepped down last year. Stachitas also serves as Executive Secretary of the General Alumni Society. "Measuring all of the University's areas of endeavor is going to become increasingly important -- alumni relations will participate in that, and lead where we can," she said. " I think we also need to figure out what's important to alumni, and then set about getting those things accomplished." -- By Lisa Sandell