Debating the Merits of Interaction

He came all the way from England, disrupting his sabbatical, to defend the proposed Foundation to improve race relations at Harvard. But when the Rev. Peter J. Gomes rushed off the plane and into the Faculty meeting Tuesday, he discovered a lack of enthusiasm.

The day before, Third World Center Organization student spokesmen announced the group's withdrawal of support from the Foundation on the grounds that the Gomes proposal stresses race relations and participation of whites instead of minority needs and Third World student participation.

The Committee on Houses and Undergraduate Life also met Monday and endorsed the Gomes proposal in a noncommital straw vote, with 22 members favoring the recommendation, 11 abstaining and one--Kenneth L. Moya '82--voting to approve a facility geared chiefly to Third World students.

Debate ensued on a different level when the Faculty convened Tuesday. Though Gomes and the other Faculty members of his committee rose to present reasoned pleas for the Foundation, reception to the proposal proved lukewarm.

While all speakers voiced agreement that a Third World center would be inappropriate, several Faculty members took issue with Gomes' impassioned remarks.

Nathan I. Huggins, chairman of the Afro-American Studies Department, argued that the University could best improve race relations through existing institutions such as the Houses, echoing Barbara G. Rosenkrantz, professor of History and Science, a Faculty Council member and former master of Currier House.

Although formal approval from the Faculty is not required for President Bok and Dean Rosovsky to implement the Gomes proposal, this week's contentious meeting will probably delay a decision. Rosovsky said he will send the proposal back to the Faculty Council, where it has already been debated.

Archie C. Epps III, dean of students, who served on the Gomes Committee, said this week, "I think it makes it more difficult to justify the Foundation if it does not have the support of a significant number of minority students."

Bok said he will forge ahead with plans for the race relations Foundation, taking into account the varied opinions that have been expressed. Gomes will return to England on March 22.