University of Virginia Library

Charges Of Discrimination Filed

University Hiring Practices
Linked With Summer Riots

By Flora Johnson
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Employment practices of the
University have been linked with
the threat of riots in Charlottesville
last August and this summer,
it was reported yesterday.

Wednesday evening Mrs. Jay
Worrall, President of the Charlottesville
Council on Human Relations,
confirmed that her group
has been involved in dealings
with the office of President Shannon
to obtain action with regard
to a list of 21 allegations
of discrimination in University
treatment of Negro employees.

Cited Letter

Mrs. Worrall cited a letter sent
by her to Paul Saunier, director
of University relations, on December
6 to the effect that, "Excepting
the matter of segregated
housing, this complaint concerning
the University employees now
appears to be the most widely-spread
and deeply felt of all
grievances of the Negro community."

Her letter linked this grievance
with the threatened riots of last
August, "when the National
Guard and the city police forces
were mobilized, and the guns and
ammunition in the Sears Roebuck
and K-Mart stores sold out."

The most significant of these
grievances, according to an article
dealing with Mrs. Worrall's
letter in the Daily Progress for
November 30, is "the University's
employment of many temporary
workers, who are paid by the
hour and do not receive the
fringe benefits of permanent employees."
The article added that
the charge has been denied by
University officials.

Saunier Cooperative

Mrs. Worrall stated that Mr.
Saunier had been most cooperative
in investigating grievances
and taking action to correct discriminatory
situations where they
were found to exist. However,
she added, "pressures are mounting
within the community and
within the University. The University
must take action with regard
to remaining grievances
now."

Another group to deal with
complaints against University employment
practices has formed
in the Law School under the
leadership of Bob Williams. Mr.
Williams also blames these complaints
for the possibility of riots
next summer as described in the
recent Riot Commission report.

He further stated. "President
Shannon should follow the lead
set by the Student Council and
issue a statement similar to their
resolution in support of open occupancy
and equal employment
in the Charlottesville community.
President Shannon should also
take action to prevent administration
use of segregated facilities."

Mrs. Worral expressed her
agreement with Mr. William's
proposal.

Saunier Issues Statement

Upon being contacted concerning
his communications with
the Charlottesville Council on
Human Relations. Mr. Saunier
issued the following statement:
"The fact that the Federal Joint
Reporting Committee that represents
all federal agencies regularly
finds that the University is
non-discriminatory is comforting
at the moment, but certainly not
the end of the matter.

"The University is continually
working to assure that its longstanding
policy of non-discrimination
is carried out, and is very
appreciative of information supplied
by responsible individuals
and committees as to new opportunities
for progress and for correction
of over-sights.

"We have found the Human
Relations Council representative
very helpful. In addition to directing
the University's attention
to some things that needed correction
or clarification, they have
also been willing to perform the
valuable function of advising
their sources of information on
those occasions when allegations
against the University proved incorrect,
thus preventing embarrassment
to their sources.

"This two-way street is vital
to keeping communication lines
open in this sensitive area."