Almost three years ago, about 170 students occupied the Telecommunications Building and demanded the University correct indifference to minority concerns by, among other things, building a new Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

Three years later, no new center.

Deploring the climate for black University students, the protesters ended their 15-hour demonstration after 88 were arrested. Rarely have University students, notorious for apathy, displayed such passionate feelings. Not even in the face of an imminent war.

The students stamped the struggle a victory when the University promised to replace the present building, built as a temporary shelter in the 1940s, with a modern edifice. Now that funding is tight and few new projects are being undertaken, the University must not forget its promise and students must not let them off the hook.

Because of Gov. Robert P. Casey's decision to cut educational funding, the cultural center's construction will be postponed. To keep these cuts from killing the center, the administration should raise the funds from other sources. The recently appointed National Development Council, which will oversee all University fund raising, would be an excellent resource. The council should prioritize the money raised and designate enough to complete the center's construction.

Students cannot let the University use current funding problems as an excuse to push the construction of a new center down its priority list. The building suffers from structural stress, deterioration and inadequate space. Rebuilding the center would serve as a symbol of the University's commitment to its minority students, just as the center's current condition serves as a visible reminder of the administration's indifference.

Because of intensified minority recruitment efforts since the sit in, the number of minority applicants has increased. This success is meaningless, however, unless the administration backs it up with efforts to improve retention.

Now, more than ever, a new cultural center is needed to retain the minority students the University has attracted. A new center will help provide a sense of community and pride now suffering because of the existing center's shoddy and dilapidated state.

Rebuilding the Paul Robeson Cultural Center will serve as a monument to 170 students who believed enough in something to take action. The present student body cannot let their struggle and goals fade into the background.