■About 50 students decided this morning to continue their occupation of the School of Education for the fifth day, as University of Massachusetts administrators were working today to negotiate a settlement. At issue is the admission of a black student to the graduate program of the School of Ed. Dean Dwight W. Allen decided to reject the application, although the student will graduate this month with a B.A. in education, magna cum laude.
■With contributions of $302 received yesterday, the Toy Fund now has a total of $1,200. through Dec. 11. There must be many, many more who are waiting to experience the joy of giving something to a needy child and the toy fund is just the thing.
25 Years Ago
■Ten Northampton police officers, joined by several State Police troopers, responded early today to what was described in reports as a “melee” at Club Metro on Pleasant Street. Three arrests were made and more people could have been arrested, had the crowd been less rowdy, said police.
■A judge and a prosecutor, seeking to drum up financial support for the Hampshire Community United Way, made a wager: whose office could raise the most money for the charity. The loser would have to get fitted for an earring. Judge W. Michael Ryan, the presiding justice, is now looking for a good place to get his lobe pierced.
10 Years Ago
■Getting the University of Massachusetts football program to the highest level of college football has more than doubled the amount of money the university spends on the program over the past two years. An interim report from an ad hoc committee of the Faculty Senate shows that the university spent $8.2 million on the upgraded program this year, up from providing $3.16 million to football two years ago.
■Longtime Executive Director M.J. Adams-Pullan is leaving her position at Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, 11 years and 26 homes after she became the nonprofit’s first paid staff member. Adams-Pullan has accepted a new job as director of community development at the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority.