The following appeared in the April 23 edition of the Cornell Daily Sun and is
reprinted without permission:

_Rhodes Vetoes Gay Living Center Proposal_

Although University President Frank H.T. Rhodes praised efforts on the part of
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Coalition (LGBC), he yesterday vetoed a proposal to
create a gay living unit in Clara Dickson Hall, citing a fear of increased divi
sions within the campus community.

Stressing his concern "about the way we're increasingly fragmenting the campus,
" Rhodes maintained that another program house would simply foster more separat
ion.

He inisted that if a similar proposal had come from a different group, "I would
 make the same reply."

He sounded much like Trustee William E. Phillips who, during last month's trust
ee meeting, said the creation of a gay living unit would be "casting the Univer
sity in a role of promoting a certain group."

This doesn't mean any rejection of this as a lifestyle or a group," Rhodes said
.  He added that his decision was not meant to be a slight against the gay comm
unity, but rather an effort to limit fragmentation.

"I think the decision of President Rhodes to veto the proposal is going to impa
ct negatively the idea of finding support from the administration," said Carla
Roland '94, a member of the LGBC.

Roland said the gay community will take appropriate action to protest the Unive
rsity's position.

But not wanting to leave the issue unresolved, Rhodes has set up a study group
to examine issues relevant to the gay community.

"We haven't helped them as much as we would like," Rhodes said, adding that he
hopes the study group will formulate some plans to make life easier for gay stu
dents at Cornell.

"I learned a lot from the coalition," Rhodes said, noting that he now better un
derstands gay community members' concerns and is optimistic that the University
 can assist them in the future.

Larry Palmer, vice president for academic programs and campus affairs, will hea
d the study group.  Palmer said he wants the group to find an appropriate Unive
rsity response to problems gay students face.

"It is not just an issue of housing," Rhodes said.  He cited the need to balanc
e Cornell's commitment to protecting the interests of diverse groups with the g
oal of promoting campus interaction and fostering unity.


I don't find a study group an acceptable arrangement," said Joseph Barrios '93,
 gay/lesbian/bisexual representative to the Student Assembly.

He said Rhodes' decision is "outrageous and discriminatory" and added that if t
he University does not take proactive steps to confront the needs of the gay co
mmunity, "we will do it."

"All these study groups do is continue to relegate the needs of our community t
o oblivion," Barrios said.

"I'm not pretending that the study group is an alternative that will make every
body happy," Rhodes said.

Pankaj Talwar '93, president of the Student Assembly, said Assembly members who
 backed the proposal will attempt to pass other resolutions that support the ga
y community.

Rhodes stressed that his veto does not endanger programs already in existence,
nothing that these houses are linked to established University programs of stud
y.

He added that he hopes the study group will formulate better ways to deal with
gay students' concerns.

Although Rhodes said, I don't think it's possible to modify the program," for a
 gay living center, he did add, "I've ruled nothing out in the long term."

End of story

I am sure you can all imagine what I think of this.

                                                   -Joe Barrios