Accessibility at UIUC
University of Illinois
The University of Illinois has continued many affirmative action policies since the inception of Project 500 in the 1960s. Pictured is an official newsletter stating the policies of affirmative action for the University of Illinois in 1974 (bottom). Accessibility is a big issue today. Many students that are admitted need extra support, and they can find that at the University of Illinois Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access (top).
UIUC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access
UIUC Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access, UIUC University Archives
UIUC Office of Diversity, Equity and Access
1976, 2013
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Admission Statistics Graph
University of Illinois
This graph shows the increase in the minority population of undergraduates at the University of Illinois since the creation of Project 500. The enrollment increases steadily throughout the 1970s and 80s. The biggest increase comes in the Asian American demographic, most likely due to the diasporic movement of Asian Americans from the West Coast to the Midwest. The Latino population has been steadily increasing most likely due to immigration. As a whole, however, the minority population has leveled off over the last two decades. The African American community at the University of Illinois has actually begun to shrink relative to the size of the University. No one is quite sure why this is, only that it could be an issue in the future and could call for action at a later point.
Joseph Bennett
UIUC Division of Management Information
UIUC Division of Management Information
2010
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Irepodun
University of Illinois' "Irepodun"
<p><strong>First photo:</strong> covers of the first two volumes of "Irepodun."<br /><strong>Second photo:</strong> photographs from inside the first published "Irepodun." </p>
"Irepodun" was the first African American yearbook to be published at the University of Illinois. The first issue (pictured above) was published in 1971 by The Black Students Association. These yearbooks included photographs of the BSA, photos from other African American organizations, class photos and candid photos of African American students on campus.
Black Students Association
1. covers of 1972 and 1973 editions
2. pages 86-7 from the 1973 edition
Black Students Association
1972-3
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University of Illinois Black Chorus
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nnq6nqBnRjQ" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe>
Song: "Refuge" by K. Edward Copeland & Ollie Watts-Davis
The University of Illinois Black Chorus was founded by four music-loving students in 1968. Later, in 1969, the chorus was co-sponsored by the School of Music Choral Division and the African-American Cultural Program.
Now, the UI Black Chorus is a very well-respected program, made up of students, staff and community members. This group has performed around the entire country, with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra and at the National Black Gospel College Choir Workshop.
University of Illinois School of Music
YouTube
The UI Black Chrous
October 13, 2011
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Video
Cultural Centers
Cultural Centers Today
"In 1969 the African American Cultural Center was created with the two-fold purpose of assisting the University in providing a safe and welcoming environment for African American students and a resource to the campus at-large regarding African American contributions and issues."
This quote from the homepage of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center helps lay out the purpose of the Cultural Center. After initially being criticized for being ineffective (top), the African American House began to be known as a true cultural center. The success of the student unity that this institution brought (center) helped to spark the creation of other Cultural Centers as well. La Casa followed in 1974. The Asian American Cultural Center (bottom) was founded in 2005 and the Native American House followed shortly afterwards.
1. Irepodun: The Black Yearbook (1972)
2. Daily Illini, Illini Publishing Company
3. studentaffairs.illinois.edu/diversity/bnaacc
University of Illinois Archives
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Habari Newsletter
University of Illinois
The "Habari Newsletter" began circulating in 1984, because the African Studies program began to flourish at this time. This publication started as a text-based, newsletter for African American alumni. Initially, it primarily discussed programs on campus and contained a letter from the department director. As time went on, this newsletter evolved. The last physical publication (pictured on the left above) was in 2009-2010, and the newsletter is now entirely virtual (and can be found <a href="http://www.afrst.illinois.edu/habari/">here</a>). "Habari" now features local artwork, interviews with African Studies professors and other experts, and articles on a variety of subjects--including articles that profile the fascinating places that African Studies researchers go.
UIUC Center for African Studies
http://www.afrst.illinois.edu/habari/2012/
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2008-2010
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