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State University of Iowa Human Rights Committee first annual report and correspondence, 1963

1963-07-26 Willard Boyd to Human Rights Committee

July 26, 1963

To: Human Rights Committee
From: Willard L. Boyd

1. Housing: On Wednesday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Mr. Johnson and I attended a meeting of the approved householders, held by the Office of Student Affairs. We were pleased by the way in which Dean Huit and Mr. Rhatigan conducted the meetings. Unfortunately, there were very few householders in attendance, a total of about 10 at each meeting. Nevertheless, progress was made. Mr. Rhatigan and Mr. Johnson will make a visit soon to an approved householder who has indicated an unwillingness to rent to negroes.

2. Student Organizations: On July 19 Messers Johnson, Nusser, Boyd and Bennett met with the members of the Subcommittee on Student Organizations of the Committee on Student Life to discuss discrimination problems in fraternities, sororities and dormitories. I am enclosing a copy of the letter sent by Dean Huit to the national offices of all student organizations. As you will note from the letter and attached data, the subcommittee is concerned with not only bias clauses, but also any other national external pressure. I hope that Dean McCarrell will agree to have Dean Huit report the results of this correspondence at the first open meeting in October.

It is also clear that in the dormitories, fraternities, and sororities, there is pressure to discriminate from alumni and parents as well as fellow students. Therefore, I hope it will be possible for Messers Carver, Bennet and Boyd amd Miss Brogan to meet with other student leaders to develop a student program to deal with this pressure.

On July 31 the representatives of the Ministerial Association will meet with the City Council to present an ordinance to create a Human Rights Commission for Iowa City. The League of Women Voters has endorsed this proposal, and we hope that it will be approved by the Council.

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July 26, 1963 To: Human Rights Committee From: Willard L. Boyd 1. Housing: On Wednesday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Mr. Johnson and I attended a meeting of the approved householders, held by the Office of Student Affairs. We were pleased by the way in which Dean Huit and Mr. Rhatigan conducted the meetings. Unfortunately, there were very few householders in attendance, a total of about 10 at each meeting. Nevertheless, progress was made. Mr. Rhatigan and Mr. Johnson will make a visit soon to an approved householder who has indicated an unwillingness to rent to negroes. 2. Student Organizations: On July 19 Messers Johnson, Nusser, Boyd and Bennett met with the members of the Subcommittee on Student Organizations of the Committee on Student Life to discuss discrimination problems in fraternities, sororities and dormitories. I am enclosing a copy of the letter sent by Dean Huit to the national offices of all student organizations. As you will note from the letter and attached data, the subcommittee is concerned with not only bias clauses, but also any other national external pressure. I hope that Dean McCarrell will agree to have Dean Huit report the results of this correspondence at the first open meeting in October. It is also clear that in the dormitories, fraternities, and sororities, there is pressure to discriminate from alumni and parents as well as fellow students. Therefore, I hope it will be possible for Messers Carver, Bennet and Boyd amd Miss Brogan to meet with other student leaders to develop a student program to deal with this pressure. On July 31 the representatives of the Ministerial Association will meet with the City Council to present an ordinance to create a Human Rights Commission for Iowa City. The League of Women Voters has endorsed this proposal, and we hope that it will be approved by the Council.