Crowd Asks Epps, Fox To Speak on Apartheid

After students who confronted President Bok following yesterday's anti-apartheid demonstration failed to elicit a response from him, the crowd turned to two people who had accompanied Bok across the Yard--Archie C. Epps III, dean of students, and Dean Fox.

Epps, Fox and Dean Rosovsky were inside University Hall with Bok when students surrounded the building, and when Bok crossed the Yard to enter his Mass Hall offices, the three administrators followed.

Circles

After Bok left with University police, about 100 students encircled Epps near University Hall and asked that he state his personal opinion on Harvard's holdings in U.S. firms operating in South Africa.

"While people may agree that what is going on in South Africa is outrageous, and I would agree with that, there is still a wide range of opinion with regard to investments," Epps said.

Ends and Means

When students persisted in questioning Epps on the best means to fight apartheid, he said the Corporation has the responsibility for that decision.

Epps declined to speak into a bullhorn offered him by one eager student, saying he was not in a position to issue a public statement about the Corporation's decision.

Open Forum

"In two open hearings, undergraduates have had a chance to express their views," he noted.

After about 30 minutes of discussion with Epps, the crowd turned toward Fox, who had been standing by the side of the building watching the proceedings, and demanded his views on the issue.

No Comment

"This is a topic upon which I do not feel qualified to talk," Fox said, adding, "I'm here to listen, not to make a statement."

Fox listened as students voiced concerns for more than 20 minutes about the University's South African investments, the Corporation's failure to announce its decision yesterday, as well as their dissatisfaction with the quality of cold breakfasts in many Houses.

"I will communicate this to the people who make the decision," Fox said.