Black Complaints Are Aired at ECU

This article describes the meeting between 12 black students and administrators to discuss some of the grievances about the numbers of current black students and faculty on campus. This and other articles may be found in the Chancellor's Administrative File, CH1050, Series 3, Subseries 6, Box 12, Folder 8.

Citation for this article is: "Black Complaints Are Aired at ECU," The News and Observer, March 14, 1969.

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GREENVILLE - A pledge to investigate any complaints of academic discrimination based on race and to end displays of Confederate flags on State-owned buildings was made here Thursday by officials of the East Carolina University.

Dr. Leo Jenkins, ECU president, Dr. Robert Williams, dean of academic affairs, and other officials of the university met with 12 black students to consider a list of 10 demands and hear an explanation of university policies.

Dr. Jenkins said another meeting will be held next Thursday with additional faculty members and administrative personnel present.

"The meeting was highly successful," said Dr. Williams, "and it ended on an optimisticnote. The general atmosphere was one of an attempt to reach a mutual understanding."

East Carolina has nearly 90 Negro students among its total student population of 10,000.

The black students were told by Jenkins that if a Confederate flag has flown over the State buildings in the past "it was a mistake and will not be repeated." Some students, however, have displayed miniature Confederate flags at athletic events in Ficklen Stadium.

Both Dr. Jenkins and Dean Williams advised the group the administration would follow up any specific complaints that were reported dealing with discrimination by professors because of race.

"This is keeping with administration instructions earlier with faculty members," Dr. Jenkins told the black delegation.

Seek Negro Bosses

ECU vice president F.D. Duncan said he was presently looking for two Negro supervisors for employment in two buildings now under construction. They are expected to open next fall. The black students had demanded at least three black supervisors.

In the demand related to salary increases, the group was told that this is a matter of State policy "and the university has very little leeway in the matter."

The school's policy on student recruitment was explained. Dr. Jenkins stressed that, "Recruitment personnel is sent to any and all schools, regardless of race upon request." The black students asked for recruitment of more black students.

Demands for black instructors in every department, black courses more financial aid for black students, black speakers on campus, legalized participation in civil rights and a collective bargaining board for maintenance workers to state grievances, apparently will be aired at next week's conference.