MAR. 5, 1965
Human Relations Committee To Encourage Brotherhood
The Student Council has formed a Human Relations Committee to give Maine West students a chance to work in the field of human relations. After Dan Colvin '65, John Congalton '65, and Mary Jefferson '65, attended the Inter-group Relations Conference at Senn High School, Student Council formed the Human Relations Committee.
"To further brotherhood and understanding by combating ignorance, apathy, and prejudice is our purpose," states Dan Colvin, co-chairman of the committee.
The Human Relations Committee is now laying a foundation for future committees to work on. Mainly, the students on the committee are discussing problems related to prejudice. They are formulating plans for projects for other committees in the future to use. Dan went on to explain, "We are also trying to find out the atmospheric pressure of prejudice at Maine West."
Dan Colvin and John Congalton are co-chairmen of the newly-formed committee. Making up the remainder of the committee are Marilyn Skeppstrom '65, Mary Jefferson '65, Diane De Franco '65, Kathy Owen '65, John Carley '65, Pat Forkins '65, Clare Weretka '65, and Lynne Streubing '66. Mr. Glen Hoffman, chairman of the Social Science Department, sponsors the group. It meets first period every Wednesday in the Student Council room.
Present plans call for putting stickers on car windows in downtown Des Plaines one Saturday. The purpose is to let people know we're working and want to do something to better relations with Maine West.
The exchange day with an all Negro school is just a proposal. "There isn't much of a possibility of its happening this year," Dan discloses. A group of Negro students would come to Maine West for one school day. On the next day a group of our students, equal in number to the visitors, would spend the day at their school. All types of students would be represented.
"The visiting students would start their day talking to Student Council and seeing the school. During the day each student would attend classes with a Maine West student. After school there would be a seminar held for the students and faculty to meet and talk to our guests. Later they would go to dinner and then be taken home. The Negro school would conduct their day in whatever manner they chose."
Dan encourages students to give suggestions and comments to the committee. Any signed suggestion submitted to the Voice of Students Box will be answered. Dan also says, "If anyone is interested in working with the committee and has first period free, he is welcome to attend meetings."