UCLA DAILY BRUIN Thursday, May 23, 1968

Murphy accepts proposals

on UMAS-frat conflict

By Donna Grace

DB Associate City Editor

Four demands relating to the recent conflict between Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and the United Mexican American Students (UMAS) were received and accepted by Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy late yesterday afternoon.

The proposals were:

· That Phi Kappa Psi be suspended until Sept. 1, 1968.

· That Interfraternity Council's jurisdiction be removed from matters covered by University rules and regulations.

· That Phi Kappa Psi apologize the community through UMAS and also the Mexican consul here.

· That the University's concern over the problem of minorities be reaffirmed, as well as its commitment to expansion of the Educational Opportunities Program.

In accepting the requests, Murphy said that he would ask the national Phi Kappa Psi fraternity not to recall the local chapter's charter. The chancellor said that he believes that no matter how inexcusable an action, both organizations and individuals deserve a second chance.

Earlier in the meeting, Murphy said that two basic problems were discernible: whether or not the fraternity participated in a deliberate act of racism and how organizations such fraternities are specifically related to the University.

Not deliberate

The chancellor commented that he was convinced that the incident was not deliberately planned. He added that it should be made clear, however, that no group or individual can get away with "certain things."

Dissatisfied with the Interfraternity Council Judicial Board's decision on place the fraternity on social probation until Jan. 1, 1969, UMAS leaders marched to the Administration Bldg. Yesterday morning where they met with Young, Dean of Student Activities Charles McClure and Assoc. Dean of Student Donald Gottesman.

After nearly three hours of talks, the demonstrators appeared satisfied. No statement was made at that time, however, pending the arrival of the chancellor. Approximately 60 students later converged and met with Murphy.

Original UMAS charges stemmed from a closed party sign and a desecrated replica of the Mexican flag displayed at a party given by Phi Kappa Psi last Saturday.

IFC statements

According to a statement issued by the IFC Judicial Board after the hearing on the incident, "Judicial Board has acted in compliance with the regulations regarding the violations incurred and feels a fair sentence was imposed. It does not intent to yeild pressure, intimidation or threat of violence from any group."

A resolution affirming that IFC, "cannot condone nor will allow any actions within the fraternity system which tend to disregard the sensitivity to the human dignity and personal feelings which are prevalent in contemporary society" was also passed.

The Interfraternity Council's President's Council last night approved a resolution condemning the chancellor's suspension of Phi Kappa Psi on the ground that it was taken "in response to the reaction to the incident and not the incident itself."

They also expressed concern over loss of their autonomy and asserted that "all other campus groups have been guilty of similar incidents of bad taste," while little disciplinary action has been taken.

They called for noon rally today, further meetings with the administration and a letter writing campaign. If all legitimate means have been exhausted without success, the council said, "strong action (would) be taken by each Greek organization in support of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity in order to save the Greek system on this campus"

Mass meeting

At a meeting of 300 Greek house members last night at the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house, a wait-and-see-attitude was decided upon in the wake of the administration's decision.

The Greeks charged that the administration has, in this issue and others, "yielded to the pressures of a minority of students."

Chris Lee, president of the Phi Kappa Psi house, charged at the meeting that Chancellor Murphy had acceded to the demands of the UMAS members and had made more severe his original set of restrictions on the fraternity.

They urged all their members to be at the noon rally today and to maintain orderliness of the meeting regardless of provocation.

They also hinted that should Phi Kappa Psi's suspension not be rescinded, all Greek houses would voluntarily suspend themselves.

In a resolution passed 9-5 last night, Student Legislative Council (SLC) called Chancellor Murphy's suspension of Phi Kappa Psi "impossible and irrational," and condemned the action for avoiding "due process."

The resolution expressed the opinoin that the original punishment of IFC was commensurate with the actions of the fraternity and that there was no question that the Phi Kappa Psi display was a mistake.

SLC called on the fraternity to undergo a self-evaluation and make an apology to the Mexican people and the Mexican consul.

Joe Rubinstein, undergraduate president said he would present the resolution to Chancellor Murphy last night.