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Black Student Union (BSU) records

 Collection
Identifier: 04.BSU

Scope and Contents

The contents of the Black Student Union (BSU) collection includes a constitution, bylaws, membership lists, campus life records, including applications for organization and renewals for organization, meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence, clippings and news releases, communication materials including flyers and distributed materials, event advertising and planning materials, and a printed copy of the BSU web site.

The collection is divided into two series, Administration and Publicity. The Administration series includes the constitution and bylaws, lists of members and information regarding new member inductions, campus life papers, including applications for organization and renewal of BSU, meeting minutes and agendas, and correspondence. The Publicity series includes an extensive collection of clippings (1968-2001), communications materials, event planning materials, and a printed and bound copy of the web site. The files within each series have been arranged chronologically.

There are two items, a scrapbook and a binder, which were unbound as part of the initial processing. The Events and Programs scrapbook includes visual materials that are secured to pages with adhesive. The Organization Materials, formerly housed in a three-ring binder have been unbound and foldered. Much of this material is repeated throughout other files.

Dates

  • Creation: 1968 - 2016

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Administrative History

Originally formed as the Black Student Association (BSA) in 1968, the Black Student Union (BSU) was established to address issues affecting the black community that had often been over looked. Today the BSU works to continue this legacy through programming and community service.

Founded at Eastern Michigan University on March 11th, 1968 as the Black Student Association, the organization changed the name to Black Student Union in 1982 and throughout stated the purpose of the organization to be "the voice of black students on campus." From the BSU Constitution, found in the Administration series of this collection,"Although we do not discriminate, our organization's purpose is to serve and educate the Black community while elevating the consciousness and promoting Unity among all Black organizations, students, faculty and staff at Eastern Michigan University."

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 archive box, 1 object)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Founded at Eastern Michigan University on March 11th, 1968 as the Black Student Association, the organizational name was changed to the Black Student Union in 1982. Serving the Eastern Michigan University community the BSU was established in order to address issues affecting the black community that had often been over looked through programming and community service. The contents of the Black Student Union (BSU) records include the BSU constitution, bylaws, membership lists, campus life records, meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence, clippings and news releases. Materials in the collection date from 1968-present.

Title
Black Student Union (BSU) records
Status
Completed
Subtitle
Black Study Association (BSA) records
Author
Courtney Dornburg, Natalie Morath
Date
2012 January 2012
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 Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository

Contact:
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673