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In print | Published February 26, 2009 — Updated February 28, 2009 21:53

To the Editor:

Kudos on Ashia Troiano’s article about the SASS anniversary. I think she did a great job.

I’m glad she was able to contact Dr. Joyce Baynes, Class of 1968, who was very involved, along with Sam Shepard in the founding of SASS. Joyce and Sam graduated before 1969, which underscores the fact that SASS was in existence well before the 1969 takeover. It was good to hear her perspective after all these years.

It was good to read the quotes from alumni who were there at the time; their recollections resonate after all these years. I hope that in the future, students like Ashia and the Phoenix editors will be able to explore the issues even more deeply than has been done in the past.

Beyond the drama of the takeover events, there are important stories. What were the issues and circumstances that propelled students from fairly traditional, middle and working-class backgrounds to become radicalized, and put their scholarships and academic futures at risk? What mechanisms sustained the students involved in the takeover?

What role did the African-American college employees play? What roles did the African-Americans in nearby communities and parents of the students involved play?

Were the issues and tactics unique to that era? Or are there lessons to be learned by students today? What have been the long-term outcomes of the creation of SASS?

I am grateful that Ms. Troiano has made her considerable talents available to the African-American and wider community, in revisiting the story of the 1969 action.

Several alumni from that era have registered to attend the celebration next month. I hope that the historians on this campus will take advantage of their presence to capture some of the important stories that still have yet to be unearthed.

Marilyn Allman Maye ’69

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