Office of Black Affairs administrative records (Accession 1976-097)

In 1968, the Black Student Union (BSU) which was organized the previous year, protested the university’s lack of attention to the needs and concerns of student of color. Negotiations between the BSU and the university administration lasted for a year with little progress. In April 1969, the BSU submitted a detailed plan that called for greater efforts to recruit faculty and students of color, increase financial aid support for Black students, and expand course offerings in Black history and literature. In response, the University established the Office of Black Affairs (OBA) in May with Hanford D. Stafford as interim Coordinator. Stafford was charged with implementing and directing the Black Studies program, which included services such as student recruiting, tutoring, and counseling. According to a c. 1974 brochure, the OBA “assists U of L in developing new approaches toward the enhancement of Black students’ life styles and facilitating the university effort in community services.” It lists the following as specific OBA activities: "1. Recruiting and retaining Black undergraduates 2. Delivering tutorial and counseling services 3. Sponsoring social and cultural activities 4. Improving the university’s relationship to the Black community 5. Coordinating student development activities; e.g. Black student newspaper, Black Diamond Chorus." In 1976, OBA was renamed the Office of Minority Affairs.