Columbia College officials are considering the introduction of an Afro-American studies major that could accept students as early as next fall, but new demands from a committee that is lobbying for the concentration may delay the plan's completion, The Columbia Spectator reported.
Student members of the Interdepartmental Committee for Afro-America Studies have made demands on behalf of an antiracist group that formed after racial incidents rocked the campus late last month.
The demands of the Concerned Black Students of Columbia (CBSC), taken up by student members of the committee, include the expulsion of students involved in the confrontation, an increase in minority student enrollment, and a 50 percent increase in the number of Black faculty.
According to The Spectator, officials appear to be opposed to the new demands, saying that the issues the CBSC has raised are separate from potential changes in the curriculum. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Application Rise Stuns Administrators
In an increase that surprised top administrators, the University of Chicago this year received 25 percent more applicants than it did last year, and can now afford to be more selective than in recent years, The Chicago Maroon reported.
The problem that admission officers face in choosing from among this year's 3250 applicants is exacerbated by the university's need to reduce its class size from about 860 to 800, said Dean of Admissions Daniel Hall.
Reasons for admitting a smaller number of students to the class of 1991 include a housing shortage and potential cuts in the university faculty, according to The Maroon.
In the past four years, a growing number of students have decided to live in university housing, said Dean of the College Donald Levine.
Despite these problems, administrators said they are pleased with the increase in applications and believe it reflects an improvement in the institution's image and environment. BROWN UNIVERSITY
Senior To Face Three Felony Charges
A Brown University student who ran over and killed a pedestrian last November now faces three felony charges, The Brown Daily Herald reported.
Following the death of 64-year-old Albert Pantalina, senior Mark Miller faces charges of driving to endanger, driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless driving with death resulting.
Miller, who pleaded not guilty at his arraignment late last month, is scheduled to go on trial on June 29.
A pre-trial conference will take place in May, at which Miller may be able to change the date of his trial. He may choose to be tried by a jury or a judge, state officials said.
Providence policemen said Miller was driving at 65 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour area when he hit Pantalina, who died instantly. Miller and his two-companions received minor injuries in the crash, The Herald reported.