Home --> 1957-Present --> 1968-1978 1957 - Present: 1968 - 1978 Click the photo to enlarge. 1968 The African American Studies Department (AASD)begins in the 1960s under the leadership of Professor Mary Francis Berry and John Blassingame. A new path emerged for AASD in 1983 when public policy analysis was introduced as a concentration within the major. The idea of combining the study of African Americans with rigorous training in analytical problem solving, policy research and public management emerged in a search for solutions to contemporary problems confronting the African American community. 1968 Campus Unrest: Black Student Union Civil Rights Protest Rally on the steps of the Administration Building. In the 1960s, the black student group on campus is called, the Congress for Racial Equality, and it is seen as too militant and too radical by administrators and has its charter revoked. In May 1968, the group returns in a new avatar, as the Black Student Union. Click here to read articles addressing the struggle for integration and history of Blacks at the University. Click on the picture above to read more about the integration and history of blacks at the university 1970 The Intensive Education Development (IED) is created as a pilot program in 1967 by Dr. Julia Davison, Dr. George Marks and Dr. Stanley Pavey. The IED is designed to provide academic, financial and counseling support to the original nineteen Upward Bound graduates. In 1972, The University of Maryland at College Park receives funds for Student Support Services (SSS). IED and SSS were then able to focus together on academic support skills of Mathematics, English, Reading and Study Skills; Counseling skills were expanded and became the central focus of SSS. IED is the precursor to the Academic Achievement Program. 1971 Click the photo to enlarge. Click the photo to enlarge. In 1971, 232 students enrolled in the first 3 Women's Studies courses offered at UM. Now more than 4000 students enroll in the more than 50 undergraduate and 30 graduate courses. Women’s Studies courses challenge students to question traditional knowledge about women and men and to examine differences among women. 1971 The Office of Human Relations Programs is created. Click the photo to enlarge. Otis Williams, founder of Nyumburu Cultural Center (Click to enlarge.) 1971 The Nyumburu Cultural Center is dedicated to advancing and augmenting the academic and the multicultural missions of the university by presenting a forum for the scholarly exchange and artistic engagement of African Diaspora culture and history. Nyumburu is a Swahili word for “freedom house” coined from “nyumba” (house) and “uhuru” (freedom). The Nyumburu Cultural Center years continues to build on its foundations as the center for Black social, cultural, and intellectual interaction at UMD. 1971 The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education, a unit of the Academic Affairs Division of the University of Maryland, offers a variety of services and programs to enhance the learning experience and promotes the academic success of undergraduate students. OMSE collaborates with several other campus office and college programs to provide unique collegial opportunities for our diverse population. OMSE recognizes the value of the multiple histories, beliefs, and ethnic backgrounds of our students, and works with students, faculty and staff to support the ethnic diversity of our campus. Click the photo to enlarge. Click the photo to enlarge. 1973 The President’s Commission on Women’s Issues (PCWI) is established. Its primary mission is to be an advocate for the interest of the entire community of women at UMD. This community includes undergraduate and graduate student, faculty, administrators, and both exempt and non-exempt staff. In its advocacy role, the Commission places particular emphasis on the diverse perspectives of women within the community. 1973 The President’s Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues (PCEMI) is established. PCEMI endeavors to ensure that barriers to equal access are identified and addressed, and that ethnic minorities are represented in all aspects of life and study throughout the campus. It serves as an advocate for the ethnic minority community and helps create an environment that is supportive and provides a fair opportunity for the enrollment and graduation of ethnic minority students, and for the employment and upward mobility of ethnic minority faculty and staff. Click the photo to enlarge. 1976 The first course Philosophy 343, “Homosexuality and Morality” on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues is offered by Frederick Suppe. “The course provides students with resources to make responsible decisions as to their sexual morality.” 1976 The Human Relations Code is established. The purpose of the Code is to provide guidelines to processdiscrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of the exercise of rights served by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. In 1992, the Code is amended to include sexual orientation. Click the photo to enlarge. 1977 The Disability Support Services is established. Its mission is to coordinate services that ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to UMD programs. It provides students and staff with disabilities the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to effectively advocate for themselves within the college community.
Office of Human Relations Programs, University of Maryland, 1130 Shriver Laboratory, East Wing, College Park, MD 20742 Last modified: Thursday, 20-Oct-2005 14:36:38 EDT Contact ohrp-webweaver@umd.edu with questions, comments, or submissions.