Embedded Files
Image by Gregory Fournier, retrieved from from University Archives at EMU
Option 1:
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Summary
Eastern Michigan University was one campus that experienced a large amount of student activism in the late 1960s surrounding racial justice. At the time, many students participated in some form of protest, including teach-ins, sit-ins, rallies, and marches. There were even several discussions about the Black Panthers and relations with the police.
How did the administration respond?
"If a demonstration of dissent (or other group demonstration or activity) should involve interference with the rights of other members of the EMU community, violence or overt threats of violence to other persons, destruction or damage of property, or disruption of the University’s established academic or administrative procedure (for example unauthorized occupancy of offices, conference rooms, or reception rooms of University staff members, blocking access to such areas, unauthorized occupancy of University buildings beyond normal closing hours, and unauthorized breaking into and entering staff or student residences), such an incident is a threat to the freedom and openness and effectiveness of our University. " -University President Harold Sponberg, September 18,1968
Reflection Question
How does the University President's response show the institutional priorities or values?
Option 2:
LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Summary
In 1971, a group of students on the Virginia Tech campus wanted to have their organization, the Gay Alliance, recognized as a student organization on campus. The attached document is a memo sent among campus administrators, debating whether or not the organization should become recognized. As detailed in a later letter from University Vice President William McKeefery to student and President of the Gay Alliance, Robert Frye, the university administration decided to not recognize the organization due to potential space for gay students to socialize, the possibility of sexual encounters, and his perceived risks to a student that may be given “bad advice” that would cause harm to the students or their career.
How did the administration respond?
Please see the attached document
Reflection Question
How does the language used by campus administrators reveal the potential values of Virginia Tech at the time, and/or the expectations of students at Virginia Tech during this time?
B.pdf
Image by UMASS Amherst Police Department, from UMASS Amherst Library Archives
Option 3:
Student Fee increase
Student Fee increase
Summary
On April 15, 1976, students at University of Massachusetts on the Amherst campus protested an administrative decision to increase student fees. Many students felt as though this was the way the university showed a lack of concern for student's financial realities. The students also protested the police presence on campus. The student demands, pictured to the left, were:
"no rent increase
repeal trust fund transfer
repeal merger of UMASS/Boston
Dismiss charges against student arrest
press charges against Dept. of Public Safety
Dismiss David Johnston, Director of Public Safety
no firearms for campus police"
How did the administration respond?
While specific administrative responses have not been extensively documented, several of the student's concerns appear to not be addressed fully. For example, Boston State University was integrated into the UMASS education system, suggesting the merger students were protesting in 1976. Additionally, there is still a campus police department on UMASS Amherst's campus, so it is unlikely that student efforts to disassemble or thwart police presence on campus was fruitful. The UMASS Amherst police are also armed, and serve the surrounding communities around campus.
Reflection Question
How does the protest at UMASS and the seemingly dismissive response of campus administrators reveal about the value of 'traditional' institutions?
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