CLARKSVILLE NAACP TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT COMPLAINTS AT AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY CLARKSVILLE TN.

During the upcoming weeks the Clarksville TN. NAACP will meet with the student leaders and University officials in order to try to resolve the issues. The NAACP is asking any student, staff or faculty member who believes that he or she has suffered racial discrimination at APSU to fill out an official report of discrimination. The information gathered will be held in confidence. Forms may be picked up in the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center on the APSU campus.

Immediate Release:

CLARKSVILLE NAACP TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT COMPLAINTS AT AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY CLARKSVILLE TN.

The Clarksville Branch of the NAACP announced Tuesday, April 22, 2003, that the organizations Political Action Committee will investigate student complaints of racial injustice at Austin Peay State University (APSU). The complaints lodged by the African American Student Association and the Timbuktu African American Minor Association came to the NAACP's attention after a student protest in front of the office of Sherry Hoppe, APSU President on April 15.

Students, faculty and community leaders met with the NAACP on Monday, April 21, 2003 in order to clarify the issues. According to APSU student leader Catherine Davila, African American students have met with Hoppe several times regarding racial hostility on the campus; an academic reorganization proposal which diminishes the status of the African American Studies program; the declining numbers of African American faculty and staff at the University and complaints of Racial Profiling of campus police.

During the upcoming weeks the NAACP will meet with the student leaders and University officials in order to try to resolve the issues. The NAACP is asking any student, staff or faculty member who believes that he or she has suffered racial discrimination at APSU to fill out an official report of discrimination. The information gathered will be held in confidence. Forms may be picked up in the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center on the APSU campus.

POCs for this release are:
Jimmie M. Garland PAC, Home: (931) 551-4303, Work: (270) 798-2221

Terry McMoore      Press Coordinator, Home: (931) 552-9076