What Were They Thinking?

Even before the conception of the SEOP, there were varied opinions on the University's efforts to bring in a more diverse body of students and employees. The black community in Champaign-Urbana pushed for equal opportunity employment at all levels in the University. Black students emphatically demanded more equality in their educations. The adminstration had their own goals for the program. They remained hopeful about these goals even after the night of September 9, 1968. The items in this section reflect views and thoughts about Project 500, as well as the atmosphere of Champaign-Urbana and the country as a whole.