(ll‘UtItIP1‘fi1‘1II Baily Qlampua Serving Storrs Since 1896 VOL. LXXX N0. 18 STORRS. CONNECTICUT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976 Ferguson vows to fight memo bid FSSO approves funds for lawyer President calls panel ‘advisory’ Finch eyes forcing new state ruling By JOHN J. KWOLEK The Finance Committee of the student government Wednesday allocated ‘$100 to retain legal counsel, despite a ruling by the state attorney general prohibiting the action. The allocation was approved unanimously after William Finch, chainnan of the Federation of - Students and Service Organiza- tions (FSSO), told the committee the federation may need an attorney at a hearing next week before the state Freedom of Information Commission. FSSO requested the hearing when Kenneth G. Wilson, UConn vice president‘ for academic affairs, refused to release memos written by the Program Review Committee. The committee has sent a series of memos to Wilson and other administrators recom- mending changes in academic programs. The FSSO allocation for the lawyer is in conflict with a ruling made more than a year ago by Assistant Atty. General Sidany D. Giber. Giber's ruling said then FSSO’s retaining legal counsel “is so entangled with the private rights of the individual as not to be an activity for the benefit of the student body." “This will force another ruling," Finch said Wednesday. Finch said he feels FSSO needs legal counsel at the hearing, because committee rules “allow cross-examination of witnesses, by legal counsel if it wishes." and he said, “This necessitates the need" for legal counsel at the hearing. ‘‘It is unfair if one intity is not allowed counsel," he said. ee The Press UConn Presldent Glenn W. Ferguson fields a reporter’s question during 3 press conference. [Sufi Photo by Steve McGuff]. By JOHN HILL [II A stern and determined UConn President Glenn W. Ferguson Wednesday defended the confi- dentiality of memos issued by the Program Review Committee. categorically declaring the ad- ministration considers the memos exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and thus will not surrender them to the student government. Ferguson said the Program Review Committee is exempted from the Freedom of Information Act not only because it is an advisory committee and not a decision making body. but be- cause the recommendations the committee makes may also affect personnel matters. which the Freedom of lnformation Act does not cover. BOG silence angers Wiggins By JOHN J. KWOLEK Student-Trustee Robert E. Wiggins Wednesday attacked the Student Union Board of Gover- nors. saying he-was “appalled" by the boards failure to respond to a letter he wrote criticizing the board's handling of minority pro- gramming. Wiggins sent a letter to the Board Sept. 10 in which he rep- reimanded the board for what he called its “apparent irrespon- siveness” to the needs of black and Puerto Rican students. The board help a meeting last week to draft a reply to Wiggins,’ criticisms. BOG President Jeffery Naus said after the meet- principal on a reply and would draft and approve a response "sometime in the future." “I don't think theyl're treating this as an issue." Wiggins said Wednesday. “I'm shocked the board is taking it so lightly." Naus could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. Wiggins said he was displeased that the board's policy commilttee was not drafting a reply. “A member of the programming board is writing the letter. " he said. “This is a policy question in terms of the board's commitment to students." “This should be handled before the end of the semester." things to be done with that budget. and I don't mean next year. “I'm appalled that they're tak- ing so long to respond," he said. Wiggins cited the upcoming Homecoming weekend as an ex- ample of what he called the board's failure to respond to the “homogeneous cultural back- grounds" of UConn's students. The Judy Collins concert is scheduled to climax the weekend program. Wiggins said the one-act concert will not appeal to minority students. ‘‘It will be a homegoing for many." he said. “They don't have to give any explanations. ljust want them to "The exemption from the act of discussions dealing with sensitive personnal matters is clear and so stated." Ferguson said. “Some persons involved with the pro- grams under evaluation may be hurt by premature disclosure." William Finch. chairman of the Federation of Students and Service Organizations (FSSO). has filed a complaint with the Freedom of lnformation Com- mission to force the release of recommendations and memos made by the Program Review Committee. Finch claims the recommendations made by the committee are part of a long-term master plan for the academic future of the University and that students are being denied access to important decisions regardling the consolidation of academic programs at UConn. Ferguson said the Committee "has not and will not make decisions that will change any department." Continued on Page 5 Continued on Page 5 ing the board had agreed in Wiggins said. ‘I want some solve the problem." WILLIAM mcii‘ Apocalyptic recluses return to strange society . By PAUL PARSONS GRANNIS. Ark. (UPI) - One year ago Wednesday 24 relatives retreated into Gene Nance's red-brick home to await the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. They waited for 10 months buoyed by their belief that God had spoken to several members of the “vigil” and told them the second coming was at hand. They talked as though they would have waited forever if federal marshalshad not evicted them from the three-bedroom. $15,000 house for failure to make the Farmers Home Administration mortgage payments. In the glare of televisioncameras and newsmem's questions. the group silently walked out of the house under federal escort July 17. The past two months have brought numerous changes for the vigil members trying to readjust to the ordinary world of jobs. mortgages and bills. “We're not exactly back in the swing of things.“ Elizabeth Nance Bard said. “But we weren't in the swing of things before the vigil began either. At first it was like the whole thing was a dream. No one had any idea we'd ever have to come But it all strengthened our faith. 9! out. very much so. She said most of the vigil members have a job and a rented house now. '- ln Mena. Juvenile Judge J.B.Stevemson has returned six school-age children to the custodyof their parents. The children were taken from their parents during the vigil because of Arkansas‘ mandatory school attendance law. “lt was kind of a touchy situation." Stevenson said. “l think we handled it real good. There's no ill will on the part of any of the families. And the children are doing real good in school again. The vigil began without fanfare when employers noticed the Nance family members absent and their cars parked in front of their vacant homes. Both cars and homes were soon repossessed. At the Nance home. vigil members said they read the Bible. prayed and talked. There was no television or telephone. They didn't go outside the house except on rare occasions. “it seems impossible to live this way indefinitely." Mrs. Bard said at the time. “But there are many. many mysteries in this world that we won't have answers to until we go to that other world.