Students and faculty at Boston University are up in arms over the school's decision to award an honorary law degree today to the Zulu Chief, Mangosuthu Garsha Buthelezi, who many South African Black leaders have condemned as an obstacle to the effort to end apartheid.

At least 18 student groups, led by Umoja, which is an African word for "unity", are calling for a "walk-out" of classes today, according to Narenda Nadoe, managing editor of BU's Daily Free Press.

Eric V. Puchala, president of the BU Political Forum, says that because the South African government appointed Buthelezi to lead the 6 million Zulus--and that the Zulus must align themselves with the Zulu party--Buthelezi actually "suppresses" opposition to apartheid.

However, some on the campus are thrilled by the selection.

"Chief Buthelezi is one of the main Black spokesmen for the moderate point of view in South Africa," says Ronald Goldman, an associate dean at BU.

Goldman says Buthelezi assumed responsibility for leading the Zulu people in order to prevent their homeland from becoming a "so-called independent Bantustan." Goldman cites the chief's role in efforts to form a South African legislature made up of both Black and whites as another reason for honoring him with a degree.

The Boss

Bruce Springsteen fans came out in full force last week and jammed record stores around Cambridge to buy the Boss's latest recording, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band--Live/1975-85.

A bit of comparison shopping revealed that the Coop had the best prices, with the album or tape going for $22.95, and the compact disc selling for $38.95. Price runner-up Strawberries sold the album for $22.99 and the compact disc for $39.99. Newbury Street had the highest prices with $23 being asked for the album and $45 for the compact disc.

Apparently, Cambridge's Bruce fans were not fanatical enough to ignore a good buy. The Coop drowned out its competition with a record sale of 1200 copies. Assistant Buyer Bobby Hall says that the Coop had not had that kind of one-day record sale since the release of Springsteen's album "The River" in 1980. "With everybody out of school, it was a real zoo in here," said Hall.