Black Student Union, Bowling Green State University, records

Collection

Identifier: UA-0079

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Records of the Black Student Union on the Bowling Green State University campus

Dates

Creation: 1970-2010

Extent

1 Cubic Feet (3 letter size archive boxes)

Creator

Black Student Union (Bowling Green State University) (Organization)

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of rosters, officer reports, meeting minutes and agendas, mission statements, and the constitution. There are also pamphlets and informational materials from numerous national and campus events, including Anti-Colonialism Day in 1992 and film screenings presenting a black perspective in 1998 and 2000. Financial documents and miscellaneous informational materials are also included. While some of these materials have more national implications, they all have a firm link to the Bowling Green and Bowling Green State University communities.

The subject files in this collection include materials from several occasions, including several conferences, weekend events, protests, awards, and homecoming. Materials concerning other organizations are also included, such as the African People’s Association and La Union de Estudiantes Latinos [Latino Student Union]. Topical subjects, such as apartheid, are also present. Perhaps most notable are the organization’s revised constitution and mission statement, as well as a demands statement to the university from 1979. Police reports and a single speech from the 2002 King Celebration are provided as well.

Biographical / Historical

The Black Student Union was established on February 19, 1969. One day later, BSU members Jim Brown and Arye Butler were seated on student council. However, this action breached a legal technicality and they were abruptly unseated the following week. This resulted in the Student Court declaring the Council unrepresentative and halted action on the BSU for a few months until a new, more representative constitution was developed. Despite this setback, the organization gained more than 100 members and listed a number of administrative suggestions during its first year.

Throughout its history, the BSU has been involved in numerous events, including conferences, protests, film screenings, and rallies. The BSU continues to be an active organization on the BGSU campus, where its mission is to create an environment of unity, scholarship, diversity, equality, and political awareness within the Black community at Bowling Green State University, while addressing social issues and maintaining the best interests of Black students.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.