SOURCe Occupation of the Dakin Master's House, 1988

From the editors of the Permanent Press, Feb. 24, 1988
On February 23, 1988 at Hampshire College the members of the Students of Under Represented Cultures (SOURCe) seized control of Dakin Master's House, denouncing institutional racism and demanding immediate action from the administration of the college.

An all-community meeting, which began at 2:00 p.m. and was well attended by students, staff, faculty, and administration, was cut short at 4:00 when SOURCe representatives announced they would appreciate a show of support at Dakin Quad. The RCC quickly emptied and students reassembled outside the site of the SOURCe occupation. Food and sleeping bags were provided by various members of the community.

A group formed to organize support efforts at the Dakin laundry room, and list of SOURCe demands were typed and plans were made to distribute them for signatures of support. A 9:00 p.m. vigil was planned and groups of students fanned out to inform the community.

Plans were set for a show of support, by students during the administration/SOURCe negotiations set for 10:30 Feb. 24. A March was planned from Dakin Quad to Cole Science Center.

The occupation was given significant media coverage, not only on local radio but on many television stations in the Western Mass area as well.

Members of SOURCe said they were "no longer willing to be pacified by the administration's half hearted response to their demands," according to an earlier draft of the official demands. The Petition that was circulated among the community for signatures listed nine concrete demands. These are the demands as of February 24:

1. The administration negotiating team should consist of Adele Simmons, Penina Glazer, and Trey Williams.

2. The negotiations should be videotaped and/or audiotaped.

3. Institutionalized funding for SOURCe. This organization is vital not only to the presence of students of color at Hampshire, but also to attracting new students of color. The administration should demonstrate its committment to the retention of these students by allocating specified funds to be negotiated.

4. Immediately begin a search for a full-time salaried staff person for SOURCe. Search should begin now and the person be hired by May 1; employment to begin by August 1. The salary offer must be competitive.

5. Upper level administrative coordinator of multi-cultural affairs be hired, same date as demand #4. This person will be responsible for allocation of demand #11. This person will also act as racial harassment officer. The salary offer must be competitive.

6. A comprehensive racial harassment policy comparable to the sexual harassment policy be created and implemented by April 2, 1988. We also demand that members of SOURCe as well as faculty and staff be on the committee that draws up this policy.

7. The living room of Dakin Master's House be dedicated as a permanent cultural space for students of color. Once our demands have been implemented, the need will grow for a second cultural center. Therefore, a planning committee for this should be created, with SOURCe members and Third World staff and faculty on the committee.

8. Minority Recruitment Weekend be institutionalized and held once every semester. And the recommendation of Michael T. Hawkins' "recruitment plan" be implemented.

9. Comprehensive guidelines to integrate the Third World Expectation into the learning process. This would include guidelines for improved monitoring of the Third World Expectation. Also institutional funding be established to support courses and workshops dealing with racism. These workshops and courses be geared to training and awareness for faculty and staff as well as students.

10. The administration immediately allocate finances for improving the collection of library and media resources dealing with the Third World. There must be an immediate initiation of a capital fund raising drive to secure the resources necessary.

11. A permanent and progressively growing colloquium fund be established to support a continuing series of events designed to highlight Third World perspectives which would enhance the social and intellectual environment of the community. The first allotment should be $10,000 to be available for spending by 1988. The multi-cultural affairs officer should be responsible for initiating these events in conjunction with the student body.

12. We demand that there will be no retaliatory actions taken against any person who participated in the Dakin occupation.

Finally, a committee consisting of our representatives will work with the administration in monitoring the progress of these demands. Meetings will be scheduled at regular intervals.

by Lisa-Gaye Hall and Danielle Gordon

To: Hampshire Community

From: S.O.U.R.C.e

We, as students of color, experience Hampshire as a racist institution, and this is reflected in the nature of the institution as well as in the community. There have been several incidents to illustrate this.

Trey Williams, Dean of Students, has been repeatedly invited to attend meetings with S.O.U.R.C.e so that we could discuss some way of addressing our concerns. He never showed up. After about 20 students of color went to his office last Monday morning and demanded an impromptu meeting, he finally agreed to attend a S.O.U.R.C.e meeting. This meeting was very important because the members of S.O.U.R.C.e were very confused about various issues. For instance, we were very concerned about the retention of Dakin House as a designated cultural space. Trey never showed up, nor did he call to tell us he would not attend. We later found that he did not come to our meeting because he was watching "two lambs being born." Our concerns were immediately put aside without any hesitation. Trey chose not to deal with any of our issues. This type of disregard for our needs is clearly indicative of the lack of commitment the administration feels for us and our needs.

Lack of administrative support is prevelant in our existence on this campus. For example, a young woman of color was fired from her job as student intern in the Admissions Office because of her "honesty about the way she perceived racial relations on this campus." What was she expected to do? LIE? This is a blatant act of racism. Similarly, another young woman of color was threatened with removal from her mod after she complained about the fact that another woman of color was refused an interview for their 4-person mod, because two women of color would make it a "Third World Mod." This is not the first tirne students have had trouble in their housing because of the blatant racism exhibited by housemates as well as the director of housing. The administration has either refused or delayed taking action against perpetuation of racist acts, both in the general student body as well as in the Administration. This administration indifference allows for an atmosphere in which those who wish to perpetuate racists acts feel free to do so. Therefore, it is imperative that the Administration demonstrate its commitment to multi-cultural diversity and give serious consideration to our demands.

The purpose of the occupation of Dakin House was not to disrupt the All Community Meeting. The occupation occured because we felt that all other channels of communication had been closed to us. We repeatedly tried to talk to the administration and attempted to initiate action that would make this campus much more hospitable to people of color. But our attempts were futile because there was nobody listening. As a result, the frustration mounted and we decided to take action. Yes, we were aware of the all campus meeting and the possibilty of using the time frame allotted to us to talk to the community but we did not occupy Dakin just to undermine the meeting. Our concerns are much more important than that. We recognize the time and effort put in by those individuals who planned the meeting. We regret that it did not go as they had planned. However, it is important that our actions be judged within the context of the administration's gross historical record of benign neglect.

The demands we have requested are essential for the continued well-being of all members of this community. Multicultural diversity, the learning about all peoples, should be desired by everyone. It is beneficial to everyone. Eurocentrism and racism limit everyone's ability to learn. In order for this institution to honor its committment both to multicultural diversity and its students of color, much more than $25,000 is necessary. The offer of this miserly sum to finance the fundamental structural changes that we are demanding clearly demonstrates Hampshire's perpetual refusal to acknowledge the needs of our community. The demands include a clause that the financing must be covered by new dollars and not from the current operating budgets of existing units. The administration's intransigence is highlighted by attempts at appeasement and trivialization of our demands.

We are integral to the life and well being of the community. However, the administration views us as mere ornaments. We, the students of S.O.U.R.C.e feel that our demands are imperative to affect social change here at Hampshire. Administration's response is once again words of exploitation to perpetuate the myth that Hampshire is multi-cultural. We thank you once again for your unwavering support. It is truly commendable.

S.O.U.R.C.e

SOURCe Occupation AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the 2nd day of March, 1988, by and between S.O.U.R.C.e., presently an unincorporated association of Hampshire College students of color (hereinafter called "SOURCe"), and HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE, a Massachusetts not-for-profit corporation (hereinafter called "COLLEGE").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, COLLEGE is committed to the development of a Multi-Cultural campus community, with Third World representation included among the student, faculty, administration, employment and governance components. As an integral part of its committment, COLLEGE desires to promote, encourage, educate and nurture throughout its academic and social endeavours measures which project the self respect and esteem of all members of its diverse community, and affirmatively devote sufficient and appropriate resources to the achievement of the above objectives.

WHEREAS, as a result of its inability to obtain the promised benefits of living in a college community which respects people of color or racial diversity among the students and faculty, SOURCe has been previously unable to obtain an appropriate response to many reported acts of racism and apparent cases of insensitivity to concerns of Third World students needs on campus. To further dramatize and focus its concerns for the protection of its rights and survival as persons of color at Hampshire College, SOURCe felt compelled to take possession and peaceably occupy Dakin House until its concerns were presented and resolved.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual willingness of all parties to resolve the issues presented, as well as to induce a termination of the campus demonstration, it is hereby agreed as follows:

STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT:

1. Agreed that negotiating committee representing Hampshire College will consist of Adele Simmons, President, Penina Glazer, Dean of Faculty, and Trey Williams, Dean of Students.

2. No response was given to the demand that the negotiations be recorded.

3. The administration agreed in principle to a guaranteed fixed annual funding for SOURCe. It was agreed that the administration will work with Community Council in an effort to set aside a fixed portion of the student activity fee for S.O.U.R.C.e ensuring a minimum of $4500 per year. There will be the provision for a positive check off. The administration will be responsible for informing the entire Hampshire community about this new funding procedure and should any problems arise, i.e. community council does not ratify this new funding procedure, the administration will be responsible for raising a minimum of $4500 per year and funding SOURCe in an alternative manner by September 1988.

4. Agreement has been reached that a junior level administrator will be hired as the coordinator for SOURCe, with the appropriate salary and fringe benefits. This staff person will work with students of color as an academic, social, and cultural advisor. An integral part of this person's responsibilities will be to build connections between Third World faculty, staff, alumni and students. S/he will coordinate programming of cultural, social and academic events sponsored by SOURCe, and will be responsible for developing relations with Third World faculty, staff, and students of the Five-College community...The coordinator shall report to the Dean of Students as well as the Dean of Multi-cultural Affairs. Third World alumns shall be encouraged to apply. The search committee will be comprised of 5 persons, two of whom will be SOURCe members.

5. It was agreed upon to hire a current faculty member for a period of two years as Dean of Multi-cultural Affairs. The search will commence immediately with the goal of filling the position by July 1st. The search committee will be comprised of five members two of whom will be S.O.U.R.C.e members...this position will be permanent like those of the Deans of Students and Faculty. The president will immediately begin a capital fund raising drive to procure the necessary finances for this position...

6. The Racial Harassment Policy is being drafted by the Affirmative Action Committee, to be presented to the Senate on March 15, 1988. SOURCe will recommend two regular members for the AAC. The duration of membership will be decided upon with the AAC.

7 & 8. The Dakin Living Room has been permanently designated as the cultural space for students of color, regardless of the occupants of the Dakin Master's House. SOURCe must be represented on the search committee that will select the candidates, if and when the house becomes available to new occupants. The Living Room shall be designated as an inter-cultural space, to be named in honor of a Third World person(s). The President will inform the Sub-committee on Student Services, chaired by Jim Lyons, that if a Student Center is recommended for construction, the adminstration will strongly support the designation of office and program space.

9. Minority recruitment weekend must be conducted at least once a year. This event will be evaluated for a period of two years by the Minority Recruitment Officer in consultation with the Admissions counselor and the director, to determine whether two minority weekends per year are necessary. If it is recommended that two weekends are necessary, then the funds must, immediately, be made available. The Michael T. Hawkins' minority recruitment plan must continue to be implemented. It is fully anticipated that the plan will be updated and revised to meet new situations.

10. It was agreed upon that the Third World Expectation as presently implemented is inadequate. The administration must firmly commit to the Third World Expectation in principle, and initiate stronger steps towards implementation. The Educational Policy Committee is currently examining the effectiveness of the Third World Expectation and will issue a report on progress to date. Such a report will include recommendations for improving this area of the educational process...SOURCe commends the administration's efforts at increasing Third World faculty recruitment. However, both SOURCe and the administration agree that the total Third World faculty representation is well below global representation. Thus, a strong commitment to Affirmative Action must be consistently maintained throughout the forthcoming years.

11. SOURCe and the administration recognize that, in preparation for implementing the proposals of the Change team, institutional funding has been intergrated into the College budgets. This institutional funding will be used to support activities such as courses and workshops on racism and oppression. Programming will be conducted at the discretion of each budgetary unit according to the guidelines of the Change Team.

12. It was agreed that a significant portion of the library allocation fund is already committed to Third World studies, and that the administration will guarantee that a minimum of 25% of future library acquisition budgets will be dedicated to Third World studies.

13. It was recognized that the institution has already begun funding for colloquium programs concerning racial and cultural diversity. The efforts must be continued, as well as extended, under the supervision of the Dean of Multi-cultural Affairs.

14. The administration agreed to add a statement to the Code of Student Conduct which protects the self-respect and self-esteem of the members of the community.

15. SOURCe and the administration recognize that it is illegal to specifically designate a position on the Board of Trustees for a student of color. However, students of color will be strongly encouraged to run for the position of Student Trustee.

16. It was agreed that no retaliatory action will be taken against any persons who participated or supported the Dakin occupation. Division III students who occupied Dakin Master's House will be granted appropriate extension of the completion of their work with the support of their Division III committee. This will require a letter from their committee stating that the work was on schedule and being completed in a timely fashion before and after the occupation. The faculty will be asked to provide support to all students whose work was disrupted.

Finally, a committee consisting of our representatives will work with the administration in monitoring the progress on these demands. Meetings will be scheduled at regular intervals.

The president will submit annual progress reports on the status of these demands and other issues concerning Third World students to the Board of Trustees, as well as to all alumns.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

On the behalf of S.O.U.R.C.e: Jessamy Brown, Yogesh Chandrani, Durquia Guillen, Robin Lewis, Sudarshan Manikkalingam, Ricardo Miranda, Penny Premdas, Michelle Revels.

On the behalf of Hampshire College: Adele Simmons, President of Hampshire College; Penina Glazer, Dean of Faculty; Trey Williams, Dean of Students.