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Black Student Union records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 44

Scope and Contents

The Black Student Union records, 1984, 1997-2019, largely contains a series of 1984 event posters, event programs from the 2016-2017 academic year (comprising the annual Soul Food Dinner and MLK Day Celebration), and a DVD of digital photographs taken at events and meetings organized by the group in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years. 2015-2016 photographs depict events (including a barbecue, annual commencement, International Street Fest, Martin Luther King Day Celebration, Kwanzaa, a Thanksgiving dinner, and other events), meetings, and event flyers designed by the group. Also included are candid snapshots of group members. 2016-2017 photographs primarily document meetings and events, including Kwanzaa, a barbecue, the annual Soul Food Dinner, a Martin Luther King Day Celebration, and a meeting in Special Collections in which the group explored historical documents related to the Black Student Union, as well as other events.

The 1997-2019 binder contents (2021 accession) includes mostly paper documents regarding orientation, finances, events, and minutes. One floppy disk with unknown dates and documents titled, "Black Student Union," is also included.

Dates

  • Creation: 1984, 1997-2019

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection. Computer files may be inaccessible pending reformatting. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

The Black Student Union was formed in 1968. Its description in the Augustana College catalog for 1972-1973 states that the group was "open to minority students at Augustana...to express pride in blackness and the traditions and history of the black people; to achieve unity among the black students in their campus lives and activities; [and] to establish better social and cultural relations between black students and the Augustana community." The Black Culture House, also established in 1968, was created as an "affirming environment" rich in "cultural art and artifacts." The club sponsored many campus-wide events, represented by the posters in this collection.

Extent

0.66 Cubic Feet (/ 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Black Student Union was formed in 1968. Its description in the Augustana College catalog for 1972-1973 states that the group was "open to minority students at Augustana...to express pride in blackness and the traditions and history of the black people; to achieve unity among the black students in their campus lives and activities; [and] to establish better social and cultural relations between black students and the Augustana community." The Black Culture House, also established in 1968, was created as an "affirming environment" rich in "cultural art and artifacts." The club sponsored many campus-wide events, represented by the posters in this collection. The Black Student Union records contains a series of 1984 event posters, a 1997-2019 (bulk: 1997-2003) organizational binder documenting the group's activities, event programs from the 2016-2017 academic year, and a DVD of digital photographs taken at events and meetings organized by the group in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2017 event programs and photographs received from Amanda Corona, January 2017. Immediate source of acquisition of 1984 event posters unknown. 2017-2018 photographs and records received from Destiny Payne, March, 2018. Binder contents officially received from Caleb Perry, March 2022.

Processing Information

Processed by Allison James, 2008. Revised by Atticus Garrison, June 2016. Updated by Samantha Crisp, May 2017. Updated by Micaela Terronez in 2022.

Title
Black Student Union records, 1984, 1997-2019.
Status
Completed
Author
Atticus Garrison
Date
June 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository

Contact:
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States