Calling for more Black students, faculty and programs, Black Student Unions fundamentally changed American college campuses, but did they change themselves in the process?

By Ibram Rogers

Armed with well-honed leadership skills, established organizational techniques and a fearless demeanor, James Garrett rode the wave of Black activism onto the campus of San Francisco State College (now University) in 1966.

The sit-ins in 1960, the Freedom Rides in 1961, the massive demonstrations by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Mississippi and the Watts Riot in 1965 — Garrett was involved in them all as a teenager. He was arrested seven times and survived many vicious beatings.

So when the 20-year-old arrived at San Francisco State as an undergraduate, he was not about to assimilate quietly.

“I went to the campus for two reasons,” says Garrett, who grew up in Dallas and Los Angeles, “to avoid being called in the military and to organize.”

It was the activism of San Francisco State students like Garrett that gave birth 40 years ago to the first Black Student Union. The establishment of other BSUs wouldn’t be far behind.

In 1966, traditionally White colleges and universities were admitting more Black students than ever because of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which banned discrimination in education. But the climate on most campuses was decidedly inhospitable to the newly arrived Black students. Thus, there grew a desire to create a political group that would unite Black students and demand a weather change, in addition to organizing social and political activities.

BSUs began demanding of their respective administrations more Black students, faculty, administrators, athletes and coaches. They added to that list their need for student publications, financial aid, offices of black student affairs and cultural centers. And academically, the BSUs insisted on schools of ethnic studies, Black studies departments and resources to help uplift Black communities. In many cases, the students’ demands were met.