A small group of students yesterday began a 24-hour vigil outside President Bok's office to pressure him into holding a public meeting on whether the University should divest from companies doing business in South Africa.

Bok spoke only briefly with the 15 students when he left his office at lunchtime and again at the end of the day. He said he would respond to their questions in writing and would meet privately with them, but could not attend a rally for divestiture scheduled for this evening.

The president has stated several times he believes the University can do more to help South African Blacks by working within companies doing business there than by divesting from them.

After Bok had left for the day. University Vice President and General Counsel Daniel Steiner '54 talked to the group--in a slightly heated exchange--for about 10 minutes.

Steiner explained Bok's position that speaking before a largely hostile rally was not the best way to debate the complicated issue of divestiture.

The theme of the vigil, proclaimed on handbills the protesters gave to the passersby yesterday, is "Waiting for Derek." The students said they are waiting for Bok to meet with them, and waiting for him to respond to a question Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France Stanley H. Hoffmann asked him last year.

At a meeting last spring Hoffmann asked Bok under what circumstances he would support divestiture and how those circumstances would have to be different from current conditions in South Africa.

Students say they have yet to hear satisfactory response. "He's bad a whole year to think about it and I think that's enough," said Damon A. Silvers '96.

The other purpose of the vigil was to publicize tonight's rally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the steps of Memorial Church, said Anthony A. Ball '86.

On April 24-Ball wrote to Bok inviting him to speak at the rally, but yesterday the president refused in writing, citing a previous commitment.

The vigil began at noon yesterday and, weather permitting, is scheduled to continue until noon today. During the afternoon the students sat on the steps of Massachusetts Hall listening to reggae music, eating, and passing out literature.

When Bok left the building just after 6 p.m. the students surrounded him and asked why he refused to meet with them and explain his position.

"I've tried to express my views pretty clearly." Bok told the group, referring to the two open letters he has written on the subject and meetings he has had with students over the last decade.

Bok said he would respond in writing to any arguments the students had if they would put them on paper. He also said he would be willing to meet privately with them sometime in the future.

Ball said last night that the group would write a letter asking for an appointment and deliver if to Bok in the morning. Ball said "we're disappointed but not surprised," at Bok's unwillingness to talk to the group yesterday. "It's to be expected," he said.