MenuInventory of the Black Student Alliance records, 1969-2006
Abstract
Contains the records of the Black Student Alliance and materials of student groups specific to the African diaspora at Duke University. Also includes materials about race relations at Duke University and activities of various community groups. The records include fliers, memoranda, correspondence, printed e-mail, minutes, newsletters, reports, charts, printed materials, a scrapbook, and a history of the Black Student Alliance. Major subjects include Duke University students, African-American students, the Afro-American Society, Black Student Alliance, student government, race relations at Duke University, and student protest. Materials range in date from 1969 to 2006 (bulk 1996-2006). Forms part of the University Archives at Duke University.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Black Student Alliance records,1969-2006.
- Creator
- Duke University. Black Student Alliance.
- Extent
- 1 Linear Foot, Approx. 1,000 Items, (2 boxes)
- Repository
- University Archives, Duke University.
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
- Language
- English.
Collection Overview
Contains fliers, memoranda, correspondence, printed e-mail, minutes, newsletters, reports, charts, a scrapbook, printed materials pertaining to the activities of the Black Student Alliance and related Black and African American student groups at Duke University from 1969-2006 (bulk 1996-2006). Forms part of the University Archives at Duke University.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Digitized materials from this collection are made available for use in research, teaching and private study. The digital reproductions have been made available through an evaluation of public domain status, permissions from the rights' holders, and authorization under the law including fair use as codified in 17 U.S.C. ยง 107. Although these materials are publicly accessible for these limited purposes, they may not all be in the public domain. Users are responsible for determining if permission for re-use is necessary and for obtaining such permission. Individuals who have concerns about online access to specific content should contact the Rubenstein Library.
Contents of the Collection
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Unbound scrapbook created by BSA, detailing the organization's activities during the 2004/2005 academic year. Includes copies of and reactions to Philip Kurian's "The Jews," information about campus race relations, stereotypes, and police discrimination, as well as minority recruitment weekend, social events, community outreach, and public service activities. Scrapbook was created electronically with scanned materials and digital images, then printed on a color laser printer -- no loose materials glued or mounted.
Historical Note
The Afro-American Society (now the Black Student Alliance) was established at Duke University in 1967, four years after the first Black undergraduates were admitted. The Afro-American Society was a social and activist group created to support students as they dealt with the challenges of Black life at a previously segregated institution.
The Afro-American Society's first political statement was made at the Hope Valley Study-In on November 13, 1967. Thirty-five members of the Afro-American Society staged a day long study-in protest in the lobby of President Knight's office. The study-in denounced the use of segregated facilities by University organizations and the membership of key University officers, including President Knight, in the segregated Hope Valley Country Club. The 1960s continued to be a turbulent time for race relations at Duke University. On February 13, 1969, Afro-American Society students led a Black student takeover of the Allen Building to spark University action on the concerns of Black students. The Allen Building takeover brought attention to issues such as establishment of an Afro-American studies program, a Black cultural center, and increasing the number of Black faculty and students.
In 1971, the Afro-American Society was renamed the Association of African Students (The Association). In 1976, the Association assumed its present title, the Black Student Alliance (BSA). The Black Student Alliance continued to provide a cultural base for Black students at the University, growing into a major student organization on campus.
In the 1980s, when Black enrollment began to decrease, the Black Student Alliance joined forces with the Undergraduate Admissions Office to make Black recruitment a primary goal. The Black Student Alliance Invitational Weekend, held each spring, allows prospective students to visit the campus and get to know the Duke experience from a Black perspective. The Reggie Howard Memorial Scholarship honors the first Black student government president, who served during 1976. This scholarship is offered to freshman students who demonstrate academic achievement and leadership potential.
Some of the publications of the Black Student Alliance areRevelations, The Talking Drum, andThe Grapevine. The Black Student Alliance also coordinates events for Duke University Black Alumni. As of 2012, the Black Student Alliance is active at Duke University.
Subject Headings
- African American students--North Carolina--Durham.
- African Americans--North Carolina--Durham--History.
- African Americans--North Carolina--Durham--Political activity.
- African Americans--North Carolina--Durham--Social conditions.
- African Americans--North Carolina--Durham--Social life and customs.
- African Americans--North Carolina--History--Archival resources.
- African Americans--North Carolina--Political activity.
- Duke University. Afro-American Society.
- Duke University. Black Student Alliance.
- Duke University. Spectrum.
- Duke University. Student Government.
- Duke University--Students--Social conditions.
- Duke University--Students--Societies, etc.
- Duke University--Students--Political activity.
- Student participation in administration.
Related Material
- Howard, Chris D. Keep your eyes on the prize: the black struggle for civic equality in Durham, North Carolina, 1954-1963M. 1983 [904 D877, 1983-HO].
- Duke University. Office of the Vice President. Legacy, 1963-1993: Thirty Years of African-American students at Duke University,1995 [378.756563 L496, 1995]
- Kotelanski, Jorge. Prolonged and patient effort: the desegregation of Duke University, 1948-1963, 1990 [904 P964, 1990-KO]
- Duke University. Afro-American Society. Weusi za weusi, 1970 [371.9796073 W544, 1970]
- Asian Students Association Records, 1995-2005 (University Archives, Duke University)
- Diya Records, 1992-2006 (University Archives, Duke University)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Black Student Alliance records, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Black Student Alliance Records were received as a gifts transfers from 1977 to 2006.
Processing Information
Processed by Emily Glenn, completed March, 2003. 2005 addition processed by Jill Katte, May 2005. 2006 addition processed by Jill Katte, Sept. 2006.
Encoded by Emily Glenn, March 2003
Accessions described in this finding aid: UA2006-0043, 2005-0026, 98-35, 90-27, 82-61, and 77-200.
Updated by Jill Katte, Sept. 2006, and encoded for digitization by Jessica Carew, May 2012