University of Virginia Library

Sullivan Defends May Strike Telegram

By Ann Brown
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Gilbert J. Sullivan, Director of the
Alumni Association, last night defended
the sending of telegrams to students'
parents during the strike last May in
saying that those responsible had "the
best interests of the University at heart."

Mr. Sullivan, meeting with the Student
Council, commented further "We might
question their judgment, but I think you
or I make a serious mistake if we question
their motives." Max Smith, Vice
President of the Alumni Association,
stated that the telegram was not authored
by members of the Alumni Association.

Mike Cohen, Law School
Representative, said that most students
did not quarrel with the wording of the
telegram. He added, however, "We didn't think
the University was being threatened at all." Mr.
Cohen commented that perhaps the University
was open last spring for the first time since the
first twenty years of its existence.

In response to a question about racial
discrimination in local alumni groups, Mr.
Sullivan said "I don't think there's been any
intentional discrimination," but that there
might be a "time lag in getting the word down
the line" from the headquarters in
Charlottesville to the local groups concerning
use of segregated facilities.

Tom Collier, Council Secretary,
recommended that those groups who did not
comply with the Alumni Association's
desegregation requirements should be dropped
from membership. Mr. Smith replied, "Despite
our impatience, I don't think we can be that
abrupt with them."

John Thomas, a third-year student in the
College who aids the Admissions Office in
recruiting black students, remarked that the
reason for the 'overabundance of blacks from
Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C.
area" is a lack of cooperation from alumni
organizations in other parts of the country. Mr.
Collier stated that these alumni get around the
issue of black recruitment by just recruiting
from schools who have sent students here
before, which means upper and middle class
white schools.

Mr. Smith remarked that perhaps more can
be done; but he added, "I think it's going to
have to be short of telling these people they are
no longer a member of the Alumni
Association."

Don Lawrence, head football coach, and
Pete Hooper, assistant football coach, also
attended the Council meeting. Mr. Lawrence
stated that his reason for coming was "to ask
your support for our team and our athletic
program." He added "The only way we can
have excellence in any field is through student
support."

Alan Botsford, Commerce School
representative asked Mr. Lawrence how he felt
about the University of South Carolina's
dropping out of the ACC and our score
requirement of 800 on College Boards. Mr.
Lawrence replied, 'If I recruited an athlete
with below 800 Boards, it would be like
recruiting a lineman who was five foot nine,
135 pounds and telling him to go out there and
get em.'