Coalition calls for speak-out on diversity support

Every Monday night, the student coalition meets to bring their issues to the table. The issues at this week's meeting were barely changed from weeks before. The difference was the table.

The student coalition, formed last month to address issues concerning minority students, has decided to impose more formal organization on their fledgling group. The coalition did not hold an open meeting last week. Instead, organizational leaders met to decide how to best structure coalition meetings. That meeting led to the abandonment of large, sprawling meetings in Lord-Saunders lounge in favor of meetings conducted according to an agenda in Lord-Saunders dining hall.

The primary topic of conversation at Monday's meeting was a letter written by Professor of Biology Yolanda Cruz. The letter, published in the Nov. 14 issue of the Review, argued that the achievement of racial and ethnic diversity should not be a consideration in academic admissions.

"This is something we can't let sit," said one meeting participant.

The coalition decided to support a speak-out at 12:15 today.

The group also discussed plans for the Board of Trustees meeting in December. Although the coalition did not finalize their plan of action, the group decided to gear towards having some impact on the meeting.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussion of the purpose of a coalition.

"There are a number of functions this coalition can have," sophomore Gillian Russom said. "It's not just a meeting. I feel there is a lot that can be done if people participate in this."