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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- Project 500
race relations
Given on September 7, 1968 at Allerton Park, two days before the incident at the Union, this speech discussed what role Illini Guides played in welcoming the new students. The speech explained that Project 500 students came from backgrounds that may be very different than what other University of Illinois students came from. The outline encouraged guides to be as helpful as they could to Project 500 students in order to make them feel welcome in their dorms. The conditions in their dorms were directly related to the incident at the Union.
Miriam A. Sheldon
University of Illinois Archives
September 7, 1968
University of Illinois Archives
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Demands of the Black Students Association
BSA
Following the incident at the Illini Union, the BSA created a list of their demands from the University.
Black Students Association
University of Illinois Archives
Black Student Association
Fall 1968
University of Illinois Archives
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David Eisenman's 1969 Essay on the Creation and Implementation of Project 500.
Project 500
David Eisenman's unpublished Harper's magazine essay on the conception and implementation of Project 500 at Illinois, disadvantaged students and higher education, the incident at the Illini Union in September 1968, and media reaction to the program.
David Eisenman
University of Illinois Archives (David Eisenman papers)
David Eisenman
March 10, 1969
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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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Rough Draft: Proposed Program of Supportive Services for Students in the Special Educational Opportunity Program 1968-1969
SEOP
This document describes the tentative plan for SEOP. By formalizing the plans, the students would be able to take fewer hours during the semester. The budget breaks down exactly how much the school planned to spend on each part of the program, including the summer workshop. At this workshop students were given an extended orientation.
University of Illinois Archives
Spring 1968
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A Progress Report on Developing a Procedure for Handling Disadvantaged Cases (February-March, 1968)
Disadvantaged Students
This document identifies what qualified a student as educationally disadvantaged. It also outlines what qualifications students needed to meet in order to become part of the program. The university visited many high schools to recruit students to enroll. The university used students from the Black Student Association to recruit new students.
Margaret H. Imila
University of Illinois Archives
February- March 1968
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Campus Report
The Special Educational Opportunities Program At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This edition of the Campus Report explains the purposes and goals of Project 500. It was published shortly after the events at the Union. Because of the date, it can be seen that regardless of the incident, the University of Illinois was hopeful for success with Project 500. This Campus Report describes the Special Educational Opportunities Program as an experiment to bring in more disadvantaged students. 565 accepted admission and enrolled. Many of these students were admitted even though their class ranks and GPAs did not meet the minimum requirement although they had to show some proof of academic excellence. Once the semester started, they were able to take part in programs including tutoring services.
Office of the Chancellor
University of Illinois Archives
October 23, 1968
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Rumors Fly
SEOP
This publication of Student Affairs includes an explanation of Project 500 and an interview with Clarence Shelley, the project director for SEOP. Given the nature of the questions, there were many thoughts about the quality of the program. In the interview Shelley clarifies that Project 500 students would not be receiving a "watered-down" education nor would they be required to take special classes, but that opportunity was available if needed. Shelley used the questions to clarify that these students were not accepted in place of anyone else. He also said that this program addresses problems for a specific group similar to foreign students or physically handicapped students so this form of support was not new to the University.
Office of the Dean of Students
University of Illinois Archives
October 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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