Professor Seeks Lawsuit Against MIT Corporation

A professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Thursday night suggested that the MIT community take legal action against the university's corporation to force it to use its proxy power in South Africa-based firms to oppose apartheid.

Willard R. Johnson, professor of Political Science at MIT, said yesterday that although the corporation decided last year to adopt a policy of shareholder responsibility rather than divestiture of its South Africa-related stocks, "it has not lived up to even that more moderate course."

Johnson said that despite the corporation's expressed policy, it "has not used its financial clout even once this year to promote the Sullivian principles, or disclouser of corporate activity in South Africa."

Walter Milne, assistant to the chairman of the MIT corporation, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Johnson said he believes the corporation has an obligation to follow the wishes of the MIT community, and may be legally liable to fulfil that obligation.

Johnson said that without legal advice he could not predict if it would be feasible to bring a lawsuit against the corporation.

Johnson was one person who spoke at a meeting sponsored by the MIT Advisory Committee on shareholder Responsibility Thursday night.

Alvin Streeter, an MIT graduate student, said yesterday that of 20 statements made at the meeting, 18 were in favor of divestiture. He said that over 1000 MIT students recently signed a petition favoring divestiture.

Streeter said he believes Johnson's proposed lawsuit may never be necessary. "The onus is now on the advisory committee to act in a fashion more sympathetic to the obvious views of the MIT community," he added.

"I think with the attention that is focused on it, the committee will stick to its pledge to uphold the Sullivian principles. They seem to be more than willing to be reasonable," Streeter said.

Streeter said he believes that the committee's inaction in the past year was less their responsibility than that of the executive committee, which makes final decisions on shareholder policy based on the committee's advice.

Johnson said, however, that if legal action is necessary to force the ACSR to uphold its policy, the lawsuit would probably receive great support from the MIT community.

"I'm curious to see how it comes out." William B. Swislow '79, a Southern Africa Solidarity Committee member, said last night. "I'm not too sure on the question of the MIT Corporation's legal accountability about its policy. But it would be great if that kind of legal pressure brought results," he added.