Dr. Stanley O. Gaines, Jr., Archive:
Date: 2/1/99
Type: Letter
To: President Stanley
From: The Association of Black Psychologists
Re: Supporting tenure for Dr. Gaines
Att: None

The Association of Black Psychologists
Post Office Box 55999
Washington, D.C.
20040-5999

February 1, 1999

President Stanley
Pomona College
Claremont, CA 91711

RE: The Case of Stanley O. Gaines, Jr.

Dear President Stanley:

It has come to our attention that one of our members, Professor Stanley O. Gaines, Jr., is being denied tenure at Pomona College. We are writing to strongly condemn this action and to demand its reversal.

Our investigation of the matter indicates that:

* Dr. Gaines has a stunning publication record. He has managed the very difficult task of publishing in both "mainstream" and African-centered publications. On the record of his publications, alone, he should be granted tenure and an accelerated move towards Full Professorship.

* Dr. Gaines has successfully served the Itercollegiate Department of Black Studies at the Claremont Colleges, and he has earned its recommendation for promotion and tenure. He is an important and accessible role model for Black students at Claremont Colleges.

* His teaching is reported to be above average. Because he teaches in the contentious areas of race relations, it is not surprising that some students challenge his "style."

* We have learned that he has been a stalwart warrior for racial justice at the Claremont Colleges. The fact that he is seen as lacking in "collegiality" we see as a reprisal for his advocacy on racial matters. Such reprisal-disguised in a charge about "collegiality"-is, itself, an act of racial discrimination.

We demand that the decision to deny Professor Stanley O. Gaines, Jr. tenure be reversed.

Please copy this letter to relevant parties that sit in judgment of Professor Gaines.

Should you choose to reply to this letter, please direct your correspondence to the National President, Dr. Afi Samella Abdullah.

Sincerely,

Afi Samella Abdullah, Ph.D.
National President

Mawiyah Kambon, Ph.D.
President-Elect

Dana Dennard, Ph.D.
Immediate Past President

Patricia Canson-Griffith, Ph.D.
National Secretary

Fabunmi Webb-Msemaji, Ph.D.
West Regional Representative

Huberta Jackson-Lowman, Ph.D.
Southern Regional Representative

DeColious Johnson Ph.D.
Mid-West Regional Representative

Samuel Gordon, Ph.D.
East Regional Representative

Moriba Kelsey, Ph.D.
Treasurer

George Leary
Student Circle Chair

Robert L. Williams, Ph.D.
Elder of Elders

Yvonne Walker, M.A.
Historian

Archie Harris, M.A.
National Convention Co-Chair

Linda James Myers, Ph.D.
Publications Chair