"We want them to act and hire African-American people," said Cecilio Sealey. "We´re tired of the political games." UVM spokesman Enrique Corredera said most complaints were lodged about jobs the school fills with local people.

"We think we've made some gains, and it is our position that we will continue to make efforts to improve the situation," Corredera said. "These gains have come at a time when the total number of employees has been decreasing. The university hasn´t been on a hiring binge."

From 1988 to 1993 the number of minority empoyees increased from 115 to 150. The number of blacks employed at the school, however, dropped from 39 to 34. UVM employees have left the school for a number of reasons, including voluntary buyouts, firing or retirement.

The school´s total work force dropped from 2,769 to 2,700 from 1988 to 1993, according to UVM figures.

Glenn Taulton, who attended Tuesday´s meeting, wants UVM to provide a year-by-year break down of the number of minorities the school employs.

Corredera says UVM does provide an annual breakdown of its work force and has several offices to which people can lodge complaints about the school´s hiring practices.

The African-American group endorsed a state investigation of the University of Vermont for its hiring of minorities.

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