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S* The Spectrum Vol. 22, No. 10E • State University of New York at Buffalo Thursday, Saptambar 16,1971 Med School sit-in is successful by Jo-Ann Armao Campus Editor All five demands of the Ad Hoc Committee to support the demands of the Attica prisoners have been met by the University of Buffalo Medical School. Formed in the aftermath of the' prisoner rebellion which left 43 dead, the committee is composed of people who, according to Lester Goldstein, Student Association Academic Affairs Coordinator, “developed some kind of committment for the cause of the prisioners.” Last night, about 150 people of this committee staged “a non-violent sit-in at Capen Hall to pressure the University of Buffalo Medical School to provide desperately needed health care at Attica Prison in line with the school’s4egai responsibility.” The announcement that essentially all five demands were met came at 12:35 a.m. with David Breen, President of the Medical School Polity, greeting the crowd: “I have good news. ..” he continued that the medical school and Meyer Memorial Hospital would assume full responsibility for the treatment of Attica inmates. Definitive action the part of the University.” The Medical School’s acceptance of the demands is significant for two reasons, according to Marty Feinrider, sociology graduate student. First, he explained, “the inmates will receive proper medical care.” In addition to this very important fact, Mr. Feinrider said “we demonstrated that through the concerned effort and work of people, the institutions of society can be forced to serve the real needs of people.” He further termed the action as “a major breakthrough.” that have elapsed since the Attica massacre, we have been manipulated and lied to by ‘officials’ to whom we trust human lives.” He continued that ‘‘President Nixon, Governor Rockefeller and his political hacks have failed miserably.” Student Association’s response to Attica included a letter to President Ketter to support a morarorium turning “classes into open forums, where students, faculty and staff along with members of the Western New York community can discuss rationally the issues which have arisen out of the Attica massacre . .. Further, the families of dying or injured prisioners will be immediately given full visitation rights; and the area hospitals would hold all medical records, not prison officials. Mr. Breen also reported that negotiations would continue between Le Roy Pesch, Dean of the Medical School, and Vincent R. Mancusi, warden of Attica prison. However, Mr. Breen maintained that while the medical council had agreed to officially announce their action today at noon, they would go ahead no matter what the outcome of these negotiations. It is the belief of medical officials that neither the warden or Russell G. Oswald, State Corrections Commissioner, would be able to refuse such a reasonable demand, this demand being the offer by doctors of their services. In addition to these conditions, a full five page statement detailing the history of the relationship between the medical school and Attica prison would be forthcoming. President Ketter, early this morning, revealed that he would, in fact, urge the faculty to discuss Attica in their classes. He explained this by commenting that what occurred at Attica and its aftermath is an urgent issue. In addition to this reccommendation to the faculty, Dr. Ketter will participate in memorial services held today. Other participants in the service include Mr. DeWaal and other students active in the support of the Attica prisoners. Public response to the campus’ activities has been overwhelmingly supportive with many commending the students for their careful and controlled efforts. In addition, various college newspapers across the country have contacted and congratulated the students for their “complete and total victory.” Student action Other students present were more simple: “We’ve won — the Med School has given in.” Student action began yesterday when a group of students met in Haas Lounge at noon and proceeded to march to Capen Hall. Meeting with Dr. Pesch twice during the day, the protestors vowed to stay there until all their demands were met. Aside from a snarl in communications from campus security to administration officials, in which a false account of “snake dancing and excessive wine-drinking” were reported; the night passed quietly. The crowd waited patiently under the careful surveilance of green-jacketed security officers until Mr. Breen made his announcement. Long range needs In response to a question concerned about long range treatment of prisoners, asking what will happen to the inmates once the medical teams left, Mr. Breen said the “were prepared to stay for one month, two months, or even six months, if necessary.” Commenting upon the non-violent nature of the students, Mr. Gahagen explained that the students behaved “carefully and non-violently without losing sight of their main aims, that aim being [to ensure that] the medical needs of inmates were met.” He added that these inmates “were unnecessarily injured and killed on the basis of a political decision.” Ian DeWaal, Student Association president, agreed with this assessment of a “political decision.” He commented that “in the three days Upon hearing the announcement, the crowd was jubilant. Many felt that they had won a complete victory - possibly an unexpected one. Jim Gahagan, post doctoral research associate in psychology, explained: “It is significant that the university accede to a set of student demands relating to a very real situation.” That situation being “the need of the community.” He continued that “Unfortunately, this involved the loss of lives before such action could be taken on The Spectrum Is published three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; during the regular academic year by Sub-Board 1. Inc. Offices are located at 355 Norton Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435. Main St., Buffalo, New York, 14214. Telephone; Area Coda 716; Editorial, 831-4113; Business, 831-3610. Represented for advertising by National Educational Advertising Service, tnc., 18 E. 50th Street, New York, New York, 10022. Subscription rates are, $4.50 par semester or $8.00 for two semesters. Second Class Postage paid at Buffalo, New York. Circulation: 16,000
