4
Excerpt from Don McNemar's
letter to Guilford concerning
the Marriott dining service
As I and others have looked into the situation, questions have
been raised about Marriott's practices and actions, not only with
respect to Doug Gilmer but also with respect to other employees.
I concluded that we did not have the atmosphere in the Guilford
cafeteria which we seek, and that issues of race may have con
tributed to the situation.
We were so concerned that on September 19, the college asked
that Marriott withdraw as food service vendor, effective in the
summer of 1997.
Late on the morning of the 19th, Marriott corporate headquar
ters responded that they value the Guilford account and can fully
appreciate the College's commitment to employee relationships
which respect each individual. They are eager to maintain their
working relationship with Guilford and will commit to major ef
forts to produce Guilford a dining program which models the
important human relations we seek, including addressing the dif
ficult topic of racism. They are prepared to resolve the present
issues and to commit resources and personnel to build a new pro
gram at Guilford. The College has accepted their commitment to
meet this challenge.
Among the conditions which Marriott has agreed to meet are:
immediate, intense evaluation of local management of the
Guilford dining service with consideration of personnel replace
ment; additional staff and money to provide the College with
high quality food; quick resolution of the matters involving em
ployee pay and inaccurate W-2 forms; increased training and en
hanced support of employees; continued employment of Doug
Gilmer; implementation of programs and policies that respect
and develop the talents of all employees; and an open review
with the College of the program.
The College administration believes that this approach is pref
erable to withdrawal of Marriott. The decision to follow this plan
calls for implementation of a number of actions now. To begin
implementing changes, Marriott officials will be on campus Mon
day the 23rd.
Success is not assured. Topics such as race, class, and gender
are difficult for any community to deal with and overcome. Con
cern about these issues is not limited to our cafeteria; these are
important issues throughout our community. My hope is that out
of the pain and hurt of these recent days, Guilford can develop
the understanding and trust to create a new environment in the
cafeteria and in other parts of the college that is true to our prin
ciples and an example for others.
t3&2!K
The Guilf ordian
news
Williams works towards
student understanding
COURTNEY CHRISTIAN
news editor
On the basement floor of
Founders Hall, in the Center for
Personal Growth, junior Lamont
Williams is lending his his ears and
sharing his knowledge with
Guilford College students.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays from 9 am—lpm and on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9
am—ll am, the psychology ma
jor is dedicating himself to a new
program for students simply called
"Peer Advising." Based on the
idea of William's advisor, Ernest
McCoy, the program is in its first
year of assisting students. "If a
student needs to talk to somebody
then I'm available to talk and give
them advice to help them through
their situation," Williams said.
This will provide Williams with
valuble field experience allowing
him to be more qualified in his ma
jor. McCoy feels that peer advis
ing will "provide students with
someone to talk to who really
knows what's going on on cam
pus." Williams will be utilized in
many capacities this year includ
ing support groups, facilitating
workshops, and primarily, his per-
Southern history expert to deliver
annual Algie Newlin lecture
staff reports
Raymond Gavins, professor of
history at Duke University and au
thority in African American and
Southern history, will deliver the
annual Guilford College Algie
Newlin Lecture on Wednesday,
October 2.
His lecture, "Voices from 'Be
hind the Veil': Oral Narratives of
African Americans in North Caro
lina During the Age of Segrega
tion," will be held at 7:30 p.m. in
the Moon Room in Dana Audito
Internship Opportunities
compiled by
Damlan Miller
Kids Voting Guilford County-
This grassroots, non-profit voter
education program is seeking an
intem to perovide backup for the
Administrative Assistant. Kids
Voting is devoted to developing a
future generation of voters who
will regard voting as vital to
American life. The Greensboro
News & Record is the lead spon
sor of Kids Voting in Guilford
September 27,1996
•• ' Jrta y J; />• "
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sonal sessions. All sessions are
kept confidential, protecting the
students' privacy.
Williams hopes to have a career
in counseling, focusing on chil
dren and adolescents. Even
though Williams has office hours,
he wants students to feel as though
num. The event is free and open
to tjie public and a reception with
refreshments will follow the lec
ture.
Gavins also is the director of
graduate studies in the department
of history at Duke and is co-direc
tor of "Behind the Veil: Document
ing African-American Life in the
Jim Crow South," a collaborative
research project in the Lyndhurst
Center for Documentary Studies at
Duke. Gavins has published many
articles in historical journals on
topics such as black civil rights,
folklore, historiography, institution
County.
Carolina Monarchs—This
hockey club is seeking interns to
assist with the preparation and ex
ecution of 40 Monarch home
games. Responsibilities include:
executing all in-arena promotions,
coordination of all national anthem
singers, setting up pre-game cer
emonies, organizing handouts, and
assisting with all entertainment.
Greensboro News & Record—
This daily publication is seeking
LaMont Williams
he is always available. "I'm lo
cated in Milner 101, and anyone
can come by if they need to talk."
Williams stresses that "I'm there
to listen. It's not just a thing where
you're going to get lectured to. If
I can help and gk /e advice, I want
to help."
building and leadership.
He is the author of The Perils
and Prospects of Southern Black
Leadership: Gordon Blaine
Hancock 1884-1970. His com
pleted book manuscript, The
Meaning of Freedom: A History of
Black North Carolina, 1865-1965,
is being revised for publication by
the University of North Carolina
Press.
The Algie Newlin Lecture is
sposored by the Guilford College
History Department. For informa
tion, call x 2205.
interns to work in the advertising.
This internship is very competitive
and requires a letter of interest,
resume, transcript, reference and
interview.
Redirections of Rockingham
County—This organization pro
vides citizens of Rockingham
county with alternatives to litiga
tion and incarceration. Interns
should be trained mediators and be
interested in learning how a me
diation program operates.