University of Virginia Library

'Racism' Institutionalized

The students said that "racism"
had become institutionalized
at the University through "passive
acceptance or acquiescence"
on the part of the student body
and administration. They defined
a "racist policy" as one that encouraged
or accepted "systematic
discrimination, exclusion and/or
subordination of any person on
the basis of race, color, creed or
national origin."

They called the Council's approval
of the use of Fry's Springs
by the nurses an example of such
a racist policy and noted that "the
Administration has made no attempt
at either alleviating the
problems in question or clarifying
its position in the matter."

Mr. McClenney and four other
Negro students met briefly with
Dean B. F. D. Runk twice yesterday
to discuss the petition. Mr.
McClenney said he did not know
what the outcome would be, but
he expected that "in light of past
statements, the reaction probably
will be favorable.

"We are willing to co-operate
with the University in any way,"
he added, "but the urgency of
the situation should be clear."