A group of students opposing the dismissal of a CHANCE counselor brought the issue to the attention of freshman students attending an informational CHANCE meeting Wednesday night.

Protesting students passed out fliers and displayed signs showing their disapproval of a decision by the CHANCE program to dismiss Martha Palmer, a CHANCE counselor of four years. CHANCE is a program which helps students, primarily minorities, gain admission to NIU if their academic work is below the requirements.

The fliers asked why Palmer’s contract was not renewed, suggested that she was fired because of racism and sexism and informed students of a special meeting to be held at 8 p.m. tonight in the Pow Wow to discuss the issue.

One of the protesters, SCOPA member Tom Rainey, said he was just one of “a bunch of students” who were present “not simply to get (Palmer’s) job back, but to point out the problem that got her fired.”

The protesting students did not disrupt the meeting, which included introductions to the university by NIU President John LaTourette, Provost Kendall Baker and CHANCE director Leroy Mitchell.

Mitchell began his speech by emphasizing the fact that the 1988-89 class of CHANCE students is the largest to date. He said he wanted each of the 454 to graduate and gave them advice on how to be successful in their studies.

He advised the students to follow schedules, go to every class on time and to not join any fraternities or sororities during freshman year. “You’ll get mad, you’ll cry, you’ll curse the day you heard of NIU…but you can make it,” he said.

Mitchell also said not to let outside influences ruin attitudes about CHANCE. “You can look for negative stories in The Northern Star, but don’t let that determine your future; don’t allow a student reporter to determine whether or not you make it.”

LaTourette told the students a college education is crucial for success in today’s society. He said that in the past six years 50 percent of all new jobs created require a college degree, and in a few years 40 percent of all jobs will require a degree.

“You don’t have to be brilliant—good, hard work will make the difference. I want to see all of you graduate so I can know the future of our country is secure,” LaTourette said.

LaTourette, Baker and Mitchell said they had faith in the CHANCE students and that they were important to NIU.

Venita Abrams, a junior communications major and one of the protesters, said she wanted to tell the CHANCE students not to believe all the things they were told. She also said students are being “poisoned” against Palmer.

“It’s a matter of racial slurs,” Abrams said. “When (NIU) sees a powerful black, they want to pull them down.”

Palmer said she probably was dismissed because of her outspokenness and different style of counseling, but that affiliations with Mitchell, inside and outside of NIU, are making the last few months of her career at NIU difficult. She said they are pressuring students to take a stand against her.

Mitchell said he was not interested in the student protesters and their fliers and had no comment about Palmer’s accusation.