African American Studies and Research Program Subject File, 1961-2009 | University of Illinois Archives

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 This is also when the program was officially designated as the Afro-American Studies and Research Program. 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 In 2005, the name of the program was redesignated to the African American Studies and Research Program.⁸

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

2. Afro-American Studies Commission, Purpose of the Center, pamphlet, RS 15/42/0/1.

3. Staff Directory, 1970-71, p. 16.

4. Ibid., 1971-72, pp. 16-17.

5. Undergraduate Study Catalog, 1975-77, p. 281-82.

6. Ibid., p. 282.

7. Afro American Studies Commission, The Afro-American Cultural Program, pamphlet, RS 15/42/0/1.

8. University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Seventy-Third Report 2004-2006 (2006), p. 170.