DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009 | 1970-04-10 Memo: University of Iowa Reports on Black Center Page 2

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University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009

1970-04-10 Memo: University of Iowa Reports on Black Center Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA NEWS SERVICE

(U of I reports on black center--2)

Cultural programming at the Center includes poetry readings, dramatic productions designed for the setting, recitals, panel discussions on contemporary topics, and lectures on art, music, history and literature. Discussions on vocational opportunities, career counseling and other phases of personal development have also taken place at the Center.
   Books, periodicals, recordings, and art related to America's black culture are available to both black students and those visiting the Center. 
    Hubbard, who is also dean of academic affairs at the U of I, says the assumption that such centers tend to insulate minority students from the general -- or "outside"--educational community is inaccurate, and criticism based on that assumption unfair. " To the contrary, participants in this small community have used out Center as a base from which to address the larger community."
    The organization of the Afro-American Cultural Center is not unlike that of the University-sponsored International House, Language House, and Honors House which also exist because of the special needs of particular category of students, Hubbard said.
    In tracing the history of the black student center, the vice provost said it was established with widespread support from various U of I groups-- including administration, Faculty Senate, Committee on Human Rights, Afro-American Student Association, and Student Senate. 
      All of these groups, Hubbard said, contributed to the establishment of the Center--with the main thrust coming from a human rights committee recommendation in April of 1968 to the University President then Howard R. Bowen. 
   Hubbard pointed out that establishment of the Center was being considered at about the same time President Bowen and several other individuals and groups were proposing increased enrollment of minority students at the U of I. 
    In the report to the Regents, Hubbard presented excerpts from a report from the Human rights committee which describe the need for such a center. The committee advised President Bowen in 1968:

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THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA NEWS SERVICE (U of I reports on black center--2) Cultural programming at the Center includes poetry readings, dramatic productions designed for the setting, recitals, panel discussions on contemporary topics, and lectures on art, music, history and literature. Discussions on vocational opportunities, career counseling and other phases of personal development have also taken place at the Center. Books, periodicals, recordings, and art related to America's black culture are available to both black students and those visiting the Center. Hubbard, who is also dean of academic affairs at the U of I, says the assumption that such centers tend to insulate minority students from the general -- or "outside"--educational community is inaccurate, and criticism based on that assumption unfair. " To the contrary, participants in this small community have used out Center as a base from which to address the larger community." The organization of the Afro-American Cultural Center is not unlike that of the University-sponsored International House, Language House, and Honors House which also exist because of the special needs of particular category of students, Hubbard said. In tracing the history of the black student center, the vice provost said it was established with widespread support from various U of I groups-- including administration, Faculty Senate, Committee on Human Rights, Afro-American Student Association, and Student Senate. All of these groups, Hubbard said, contributed to the establishment of the Center--with the main thrust coming from a human rights committee recommendation in April of 1968 to the University President then Howard R. Bowen. Hubbard pointed out that establishment of the Center was being considered at about the same time President Bowen and several other individuals and groups were proposing increased enrollment of minority students at the U of I. In the report to the Regents, Hubbard presented excerpts from a report from the Human rights committee which describe the need for such a center. The committee advised President Bowen in 1968: (more)