Hours after a group of students ended their hunger strike calling for Harvard to divest from companies that do business in South Africa, a Black student organization pledged to continue the protest with a series of weekly fasts.

The Black Student Association (BSA) voted Wednesday night to institute a weekly day-long fast to show support for Black South Africans and to urge divestiture, Alan C. Shaw '85, the organization's president, said yesterday.

The group's entire seven-member executive board and 25 of its members have pledged to undertake the weekly fast, he added.

Past Fast

This week, a group of undergraduates--30 by the fast's end--and one professor ended a week-long hunger strike protesting Harvard's investments in South Africa. That fast, which drew national media attention, ended Wednesday with a service in Memorial Church that included remarks from Boston mayoral candidate Melvin H. King and State Sen. Jack H. Backman. But Shaw said the weekly fasts will seek to involve and educate students rather than following the tactics of the earlier hunger strikers, who sought to attract outside attention. "The only way Harvard will divest is if students take up the issue," he added.

Other Possibilities

And while Shaw urged all students to join the fasts, he emphasized that "Black students on campus need to get involved in this because of the relationship between African and American racism."

The BSA decided to follow up the recent longer strike with an ongoing last between "seven days leaves the University is a position to just want it our," Show said, adding. "We want to be a them in Harvard's side at least a little longer."

Dean of the College John B. Fox Jr. '99 said yesterday he had no objection to the weekly fast, adding, "I'm pleased whenever students find effective ways to express their views."

Fox said the recently ended fast had been successful in renewing discussion of South-African investments but added that an ongoing fast might eventually be considered inappropriate by some. "It's not an issue that can be solved on a week-to-week basis," he added.

Other Support

Cliff Cole, '84, a spokesman for the Southern Africa Solidarity Committee, praised the new plan yesterday but added. "It's important that it be carried into next year because we can't expect a quick solution. "Show said his group may continue the fasts next semester, but has not yet voted to do so.

The Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility, an advisory body that offers advice to the Corporation about ethical issues arising from its stock portfolio, meets today and may issues a statement concerning South African investments.

But President Bok has said he does not believe divestiture will ease racial oppression in South Africa. "This is something I have thought about for a long time and very carefully, to I do not think it is very likely I will change my mind," he said earlier this week.

Backman this week sent a letter to Bok protesting Harvard's South African investments and requesting a meeting with Bok and the members of the Corporation to discuss the issue (see text below)