Affirmative action and the University’s atmosphere for black students have been points of heated discussion over the past year. Saturday, the Black Faculty and Staff Organization will hold a forum to examine these and other issues.

The conference, "Empowerment into the Millennium," is to feature a host of University, local and state officials leading panel discussions.

Maurice Daniels, a professor and interim president of the Black Faculty and Staff Organization, said the conference is "an opportunity to learn about the present challenges that exist in order to achieve equality at the University."

Michael Thurmond, lecturer in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, is slated to give the keynote speech between two sets of morning and afternoon panel discussions.

The morning sessions will include a discussion of affirmative action – including the anti-affirmative action act and a lawsuit against the University alleging discrimination against whites – and a roundtable of former student athletes – Leah Brown, Lamont Tellis, Shaun Golden, Scott Williams and Saudia Roundtree.

"We will debate affirmative action, search for solutions and see where everyone fits in," said Janice Reaves, television production director at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

"The student athletes will provide some background into their experience on campus and what motivated them," said Robert Miles, director of student life programs for the athletic department and moderator of the discussion.

Afternoon sessions are set to focus on the University and Athens communities working together and staff/employee relations and issues.

The cost for the forum, at Georgia Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is $10 for students, $15 for those non-students registering in advance and $20 for those paying at the door.

To register, call Reaves at 542-6722.