Lincoln College

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 16

Lincoln College

Sir, —We are ' saddened by Professor White’s response to Kirsty Burnett’s annual report to the Lincoln College Council (December 16). He says that offering positive suggestions would be more constructive than calling Lincoln College racist or sexist. We consider that Lincoln College is both and that it is about time the members of the college council faced up to this and acted on it. Criticising Ms Burnett for publicising the situation is merely sidestepping the issue rather than taking the crucial first step to doing something about it. In Ms Burnett’s report she has made comments which, if the council were prepared to listen, would enable it

to begin constructive change. Time is overdue for' people in positions of power and influence to start initiating real change and shifts in power. — Yours, etc.,

MARG. HEWLETT, RUTH HENDERSON December 16, 1986. (

Sir,—" ... universities should have... some of the finest think’ ers,” said Miss Kirsty i Jensen, outgoing president of the College Students,’ Association, in her reported attack oh antiMaori discrimination at Lincoln. She blames college authorities for not appointing Maoris to positions on the staff?, A more likely reason would be because there are probably no qualified Maoris. How could there be? There are practically no Maori students out there.—Yours, etc., S. G. FITCHETT. December 16, 1986.