A group of students concerned about the firing of CHANCE counselor Martha Palmer met Wednesday with NIU Provost Kendall Baker to demand solutions for “the inequities, hypocrisies, scandals and deceptions of the Northern Illinois University administration.”

The students presented Baker with a list of specific demands, which, if met, would result in the rehiring of Palmer and the hiring of more black and spanish-speaking latino counselors for the CHANCE program.

The list also included demands that an equity study be embarked upon for all ranks of NIU employees, recruitment of minority students be increased, an investigation be conducted of the Educational Services and Programs department, and the university cease basing admittance on scores from ACT and SAT tests.

Black Student Union Vice President Todd Ellis told Baker that he believes Palmer was “unjustly” removed from NIU staff. “I demand she be reinstated,” Ellis said.

Baker informed Ellis that Palmer has an opportunity to state those grievances herself through due process. He said the process is a special hearing established to provide proper review of any grievances of alleged racial and/or sexual discrimination.

Baker said he believed the recommendation of Palmer’s firing was justifiable. He said he will not recommend that Palmer be rehired until she goes through the proper appeals process.

John Lennon Society member Jim Fabris said Baker does not care about human beings. “All you (Baker) care about is bureaucratic procedures and factual files.”