Hackney says decision will change Walk

President Sheldon Hackney said yesterday his plan for diversifying Locust Walk will result in substantive changes, despite criticism from committee members and others that fraternities will remain dominant on the main thoroughfare. Hackney released the report from the Diversity on the Walk committee Monday, accepting all of the committee's 17 recommendations. Most of the recommendations focus on behaviorial and philosophical issues, but there are three physical changes which would create student residences on the Walk within the next two years. "I continue to think that the report is a very good report and will lead us to a diverse Walk," Hackney said. "I feel the majority of students are in agreement with me and the committee." But several committee members -- including the heads of the undergraduate, graduate and faculty governing bodies -- complained throughout last year that the president's original charge to the group, which stated they could not force the fraternities to move off the Walk, hampered the goal of achieving a Walk accessible and welcoming to all students. Four committee members refused to sign the report, saying that the Walk cannot be diversified and behaviorial problems eliminated until some or all fraternities are removed from the Walk. "I wish they had signed it," Hackney said, "But its substance is not affected." Despite continuing criticism about his stance on forced fraternity removal, Hackney yesterday stood by the decision, but said if any fraternity wanted to relocate voluntarily, the University would provide support. The next student residences on the Walk will probably be created at 3609-3611, where the University Counseling Service is currently housed, Hackney said The administration is looking into renovating the building or tearing it down to build a new structure on the site, Hackney said. The most substantial change will follow the expected completion of the Campus Center in 1995. Then, the Book Store will be moved into the new Center and that space at 38th Street and Locust Walk, can be used for housing, the report said. The president said he expects this change to be possible immediately following the completion of the Campus Center. But he emphasized that this could only be in the very long-term. One issue mentioned by several committee members yesterday was that the group was so large and had so many points of view that it impeded the year-long process. Hackney, who was pressured to add members to the committee when it was first formed, said though the large size of the committee may have made consensus difficult, "it was probably necessary to have all voices in the community represented."

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