Board of Trustees looks toward future

Most hope Black Caucus remains

The potential loss of Black Caucus because of a lack of applicants to leadership positions within the organization is only a temporary situation, some administrators said with optimism.

"I would hope that it's just a temporary lack of interest," said H. Jesse Arnelle, president of the University's Board of Trustees, adding that the group has been important to the University for a variety of reasons.

If the executive board positions within Black Caucus have no applicants, the organization will cease existence beginning this Fall Semester. The application deadline for the positions was extended until 5 p.m. today.

The leaders of Black Caucus, especially President Nikitra Bailey, have done a good job and been helpful to the University, University President Graham Spanier said.

"I think it's useful to have that kind of leadership and advocacy (at the University)," he said.

The organization has been a focal point on campus for other organizations -- and Spanier himself -- to come to about issues concerning the black community at the University.

The disbanding of Black Caucus would have a negative effect on the University community, said William Asbury, vice president for student affairs.

In the past, some students have been reluctant to apply for the positions. But, Asbury said he will encourage some students whom he thinks have leadership skills to apply for the positions.

"Black Caucus requires a lot of work to make it effective," Asbury said. "It's not something you take on for the prestige of it."

Many students in general have not participated in many intellectual events, such as talks given by guest speakers.

"I think it's just students are finding other priorities," he said. "I don't know what those other priorities are."