A Daily Illini article from May 1968 on UIUC Chancellor Jack Peltason's descriptions of Project 500
SEOP
A May 18, 1968 Daily Illini article about one of Chancellor Jack W. Peltason’s “Chancellor’s Chats” events where he spoke about Project 500 and SEOP. Peltason painted the program as a facet of “educational reform” and said the program’s qualifications were not racial, but for disadvantaged “people who otherwise might not have this opportunity” for a college education. Peltason explained that the program would feature a high number of black students because African-Americans were disadvantaged as “a result of society's discrimination.” He also drew parallels between Project 500 and the University’s programs for the physically disabled, saying the school’s educational standards were not lowered for the physically handicapped and will not be lowered for SEOP students. Furthermore, he compared preparatory and skill-development courses for disadvantaged students to therapists the University provided for physically handicapped students saying about potential SEOP students, “You don't have to be much of a teacher to teach superbright students” and “It takes a scholar to make a scholar.”
Daily Illini
University of Illinois Archives
Illini Publishing Company
May 18, 1968
University of Illinois Archives
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Faculty Survey (November 1968) on the future of the SEOP/Project 500
SEOP, Project 500
A survey designed by the ad hoc faculty committee for the SEOP program that sought to define the program for future school years from its spring and summer 1968 origins. This document is from November 7, 1968 and includes notes from David Eisenman. Committee members attempted to develop a concrete set of goals and criteria for SEOP, especially in light of its hastily designed starting points from the previous spring.
Ad Hoc Faculty Committee for SEOP
University of Illinois Archives
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November 6-7, 1968
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English
Document
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The 500 Program and the Incidents at the Union
The University and Black Students, Race Problems and the University, The 500 Students
"The 500 Program and the Incidents at the Union" addresses a number of things surrounding the attitudes of different people on campus. Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the University of Illinois decided to bring in 500 "disadvantaged" students. They came from various places across the country, including Illinois, Philadelphia, Watts, and Birmingham. They were promised a number of things regarding financial aid and housing. When the university did not keep up on those things, the students began asking questions. They were not given the amount of loan money they were promised and they were told that they may have to work, another thing the university had told them would not have to happen. After their arrival they were placed in the Illinois Street Residence Halls, but as the school year came closer they were moved into small rooms and lounges that were falling apart. All of these things led up to the night of the September 9, 1968.
University of Illinois Archives
Fall 1968
University of Illinois Archives
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Project 500: 'Not Racist'
Project 500/Special Educational Opportunities Program (SEOP)
David Eisenman, a graduate student on the chancellor's committee charged with implementing Project 500, explains mechanics of the 500 program to the Daily Illini and dispels popular myths about the program.
Daily Illini newspaper
University of Illinois Archives
Daily Illini
Saturday, May 25, 1968
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English
Document
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