Panel meets to discuss race relations

In an effort to gauge student opinion on the University's relationship with minority groups, Provost Robert Barchi yesterday held a closed meeting with about 20 student leaders, faculty, staff and administrators to discuss race relations at Penn. The meeting was held just days after a black student alleged that he was the victim of a racially motivated assault at Campus Copy Center, but Barchi stressed that the incident was not a part of the discussion. "I want to disassociate what we discussed today from the Campus Copy incident," Barchi said. "We really had a very candid and free forum discussion." Barchi said that he was concerned with the racial tensions evoked by the Campus Copy incident, and said he is concerned that some minority students do not feel safe on campus. "It showed me that there's more concern that people aren't comfortable here," he said. "This is something that people of color are not surprised to see happen. And that's not okay." Those in attendance developed roughly a dozen proposals for improving race relations at Penn, but Barchi chose not to specify the suggestions until they were discussed further. Student leaders who attended the meeting said they were pleased with the progress that was made. UMOJA Political Action and Research Committee Coordinator Kimberly Noble said she feels that the University is paying attention to the voices of protesting students. "I think that the University understands where lots of different groups are coming from," said Noble, a College sophomore. "I believe that they are listening to us and that they are taking us very seriously." Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Michael Bassik said that although he was pleased with the discussion, he feels it was just the beginning. "It's definitely a topic that is going to be an ongoing issue," Bassik said. "It's not something that can come out in one meeting." But Bassik, a College senior, thinks that the meeting was a step in the right direction. "I am glad that the administration has decided to take a closer look at the underlying issue of race at Penn," he said. "It gave an opportunity for students, staff, faculty and administrators to voice their opinions about ways in which Penn can address the issues of race on this campus." Director of Student Development and Support Planning for the Vice Provost for University Life Harold Haskins, one of the select faculty members to attend the meeting, said he feels that the discussion helped shed light on the impact of the Campus Copy situation. "I think progress was made in helping the provost understand the dynamics of the incident that happened to this young man," Haskins said. "This perked up as a lightning rod for people in the community." Haskins added that he feels the issue has become an important one for students of all background. "It wasn't just a minority issue," he said. "You saw representatives from all groups of students. It's an educational opportunity for the whole community." Barchi said he plans to hold similar meetings in the near future with small groups to encourage free and informal discussion, rather than holding an open forum. "I think this was a very representative group," Barchi said. "We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that Penn is a diverse community, one that accepts diversity." Bassik said the meeting was inspired by the Campus Copy incident, but the incident was not the focus of conversation. Third-year Education doctoral student Gregory Seaton has alleged that he was assaulted by four Campus Copy Center employees last week after being denied service. Representatives of Campus Copy have denied the charges. In an effort to jumpstart the topic of race relations at Penn, selected student leaders will meet with representatives from Campus Copy Center next week to discuss the protests that have taken place all week outside the store. Bassik, who will attend the meeting, said he hopes the discussion will allow each side to air its grievances. "Working with students and Campus Copy, I believe we have reached an agreement," Bassik said. "This is a first step toward bringing the students and Campus Copy together to discuss the issue." "I think it will bring an understanding to their side," Latino Coalition spokeswoman Sabrina Harvey said. "Right now, I don't know that they understand the reasons that we're protesting." And Noble said that UMOJA is planning an 11:30 a.m. rally on Friday outside Campus Copy to help clarify the organization's message. "We expect the University to hold vendors accountable for their actions," Noble said. "We as students have to make sure that we hold the University accountable for its actions."