University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Afro-American Studies and Research Program

On February 27, 1969, the Chancellor created the Afro-American Life and Culture Faculty-Study Commission to study the feasibility of Afro-American studies at the University. 1 On July 17, 1969, the Afro-American Cultural Program and Cultural Center was established. 2 On January 20, 1970, the Chancellor reorganized the commission, reducing the membership from fourteen to five, and renamed it the Afro-American Studies Commission. 3 In 1972, three separate programs were listed, each headed by a professional director, and dealing with Afro-American academic, cultural, and community programs. They were the Afro-American Academic Program, the Afro-American Cultural Center, and Afro-American Campus-Community Relations. 4 In 1974 the duties of the Commission were reorganized under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 5 In 1975 the development of a research assistance program to provide professional services to faculty and students was announced. 6 In 1975 the Afro-American Cultural program listed a Black Writers Workshop, Afro-American Dance Workshop, the "Uhuru" Ensemble, and a Black Lecture Series. 7

1. Staff Directory, 1969-70, p. 15. Afro American Studies Commission, Purpose of the Center, pamphlet RS 15/42/0/1.

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