The Baltimore Sun
P.O. Box 1377
Baltimore, MD 21278
April 26,
2002
Dear Editor:
The Sun recently printed a letter from Delegate Howard "Pete"
Rawlings on Saturday, April 20 in which he tried to explain why he led
a campaign to delay construction of a much-needed new library at Morgan
State University. Rawlings stalled the project after it had already
been approved in the State Senate's budget recommendation. He could
not bring himself to agree with the Senate's position that the project
could proceed without delay. Of course, if the site was proven to be
less than suitable then the State would get its money back. Instead,
Delegate Rawlings would have you believe whatever happens with the library
project, the folks at Morgan should be happy with what the institution
has received in its FY 2004 budget under his leadership. We are not
happy!
As executive officers of the Morgan Student Government Association,
and as young Black persons who respect themselves, we are offended by
Mr. Rawlings' treatment of Morgan with regard to our long-expressed
need for a new library. Given the unique position of leadership and
authority that Howard Rawlings occupies, we cannot escape the feeling
that he should have helped the University get a new library as quickly
as possible. We feel he should have helped us to overcome any reservations
by others in order to bring the project to completion without any delay.
He is in a position that he could have easily done this by acceding
to the Senate on this issue. Instead, he chose to oppose it, and make
Morgan jump through the proverbial "extra hoop".
At this point, Morgan is forced to find the money to keep the project
on schedule. Then, next year, the State is to return to Morgan the money
that could have been allocated this year. In a tight budget year, Rawlings
took the position that it would somehow be less than responsible to
embrace the Senate's position, which would have provided the $3 million
in planning funds for Morgan's library, because to do so would reduce
the $500+ million in reserves which the State was able to preserve.
Anyway, he says, Morgan did not do all that it should have done to meet
certain technical requirements by a certain time. We are not happy with
the Rawlings position. Also, we are unhappy that Rawlings' operatives
have descended onto the Morgan campus to try to convince students that
we are uninformed and unreasonable.
We do not believe
ourselves to be unreasonable, nor do we think Morgan's administration
is unreasonable in the request that the Legislature support the development
of a new Morgan library without any undue delay or extra requirements.
This is especially true since Delegate Rawlings extended his support
for construction projects on another campus even though these projects
had not even undergone the normal process for approval. The Delegate
seemed offended that we would ask him for a clear explanation of his
position, particularly on the accelerated projects elsewhere. We do
not accept that this is fair treatment of Morgan. Moreover, we were
emotionally wounded by Mr. Rawlings' brusque manner when Morgan students
appealed for his reconsideration. It was particularly offensive and
hurtful that Chairman Rawlings mocked us by dancing before us as we
exhorted him to consider the legitimate urgency of our request. This
behavior from a man we young people should look up to. By contrast,
other opposing delegates were gracious as they explained their positions.
While we were in Annapolis it became obvious to us that other legislators,
even some State troopers, actually fear Howard Rawlings. It was also
obvious that Delegate Rawlings demonstrates an arrogance of power, and
considers himself to be untouchable by Maryland mortals.
We cannot respect the character he demonstrated to Morgan students.
Moreover, we do not feel that anyone should have to fear negative consequences
when speaking the truth to power. Therefore, we continue unapologetically
to declare that a historically under-funded Maryland university should
not have to do more than a historically-favored institution just to
gain anyone's support for an adequate library without undue delay. We
are especially hurt that Mr. Rawlings opposed us in this effort, and
we will not act as if we were not hurt or believe that he acted in our
best interests. We seek justice and we will work to achieve it, even
if we must oppose Howard "Pete" Rawlings.
Sincerely,
Aisha Oliver
President - SGA, 2001 - 2002
Shanda Coley
President-Elect - SGA, 2002 - 2003
