The New York Times - November 24, 1985

The university administration also confiscated 3,000 copies of the Nov. 14 issue of the newspaper, Pace Press, that included the article, nearly half of the weekly paper's total press run of 7,000.

The school's chancellor, Dr. Edward J. Mortola, said the article contained "offensive" material, such as "four-letter words in large print," and constituted "gross and inappropriate treatment of an important subject."

Editor Calls Ouster 'Outrageous'

The editor, Brian Sookram, defended publication of the story as a public service. He said the article, which he edited, might have used questionable language but that the faculty decision to freeze the paper's operating funds and call for his ouster was "outrageous."

Mr. Sookram said his resignation, on Wednesday, was not an admission of wrongdoing but a move to break an impasse that would have kept the paper shut down at least until Dec. 9. That is when the campus's faculty council was scheduled to meet for a vote on his dismissal.

His move clears the way for the staff of the paper to elect a new editor, probably next week, after which the paper may resume publishing.

Normally the Pace faculty has no involvement in the selection of the editor, but in this case they it will have to approve of the staff's choice, Dr. Mortola said.

University Provides Money

The university provided the student newspaper with $35,000 in operating funds this year. Under the paper's constitution, the administration has no prior control over what student editors print, but may, on the vote of a publications committee of six faculty members, close the paper.

In taking such an action Monday, the committee cited "offensive language beneath acceptable journalistic standards," as well as violation of Dr. Mortola's directive in January that the paper exhibit "a constant concern for accuracy and good taste."

The article, the second of a five-part series on AIDS, was prefaced by an editor's note advising readers not to read the story if they were "offended by the use of explicit sexual language."

AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a deadly disease that can be contracted through sexual relations, particularly among male homosexuals.

Author Defends Use of Slang

The author of the article, Richard Wells, defended his frequent use of slang and expletives, as well as graphic descriptions of homosexual acts. "It is incumbent on me to utilize the commonest mode of expression to facilitate making unmistakably clear information of substantial import having the potential to mean the difference of life and death," wrote Mr. Wells, a 36-year-old sophomore at the school.

The news editor of Pace Press, Denise Wall, said she had disagreed with Mr. Sookram's decision to run the article as it was worded, calling it "in bad taste." But, she said, "the punishment doesn't fit the crime."

Pace Press is published by students at the New York City campus of Pace University, which has 15,000 students. The private university has two campuses in Westchester County, with a total of nearly 13,000 students, which have separate student newspapers.

851124
NYT851154