The Red and Black

By KRISTEN WYATT Staff Writer

Dezso Benedek says the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences has discriminated against the Korean language program, and he's not eating until something is done.

Benedek, a professor fluent in over 12 languages who teaches Japanese and Chinese, went on a hunger strike Thursday afternoon outside Old College.

Benedek's protest is the result of his eight-year attempt to create a Korean language minor at the University.

Benedek began teaching Korean courses in 1990, but said a Korean language program needs a full-time assistant professor to serve the needs of the 35 students currently enrolled in Korean courses.

After years of funding difficulties, the Korea Foundation agreed last month to grant the University over $100,000 to begin a Korean minor program.

However, the Korea Foundation told the University it would have to delay the grant for a year because of Korea's present financial difficulties.

Benedek requested the University fund the Korean professorship immediately, but officials in the College of Arts and Sciences opted not to fund the program until the Korea Foundation grant is secured.

According to Benedek, the University will not fund the program because Korean "isn't important enough in their eyes."

During his strike, Benedek said while officials tell him there is no money for a new professor, two positions have been created - one for a Chinese language minor and one in Sub-Saharan African studies.

"It's true that these languages are important, and I think the administration should support them, but not at the expense of another culture or language," Benedek said.

Officials in the Comparative Literature Department and Franklin College of Arts and Sciences could not be reached for comment on Benedek's claims.

Benedek said he will not leave the steps of Old College until President Adams personally hears his grievance.

Benedek still is teaching classes, though, and his students expressed support for him as they joined the professor by Old College.

"He's a wonderful teacher, and a great asset to the University," said Rosemary Lebow, a Japanese major from Norcross.

"If he has to resort to hunger to get the administration to listen to him, there's a problem," she said.

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