This letter is in response to Daniel Beaver-Seitz’s letter of 12/3/96.

Mr. Beaver-Seitz apparently interprets the September 29th Movement’s decision to seek legal counsel as an attempt to avoid taking responsibility for our actions.

He is apparently unaware that Dr. King and his followers NEVER went into court unrepresented unless a corrupt legal system made it impossible for them to obtain counsel in time for their hearings.

In addition, like most in the ISU community, Mr. Beaver-Seitz is unaware of the fact that charges have been “piled on” people perceived as leaders in the Movement, in what can only be seen as an attempt to silence them.

Furthermore, there have been threats of the consequences of being charged, such as having potential employers and graduate schools advised of any discipline taken against us (which is a violation of the federal law that requires maintaining SEPARATION between disciplinary and academic records, and that allows the release of disciplinary records ONLY with the consent of the student involved).

We perceive these incidents as requiring the assistance of professionals schooled in civil rights law, and have taken the steps necessary to retain such counsel.

We continue to call upon President Jischke to meet with us WITH A MODERATOR SKILLED IN COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURAL BARRIERS so that we can be assured we are being heard, and that our concerns regarding the naming of Catt Hall and the racial climate on campus are not minimized.

Kel Munger

Graduate Student

Literature