In 1968, the Afro-American Student Union and For Members Only, and a committee representing the Northwestern University Administration (“NU”) signed a document known as The 1968 Agreement. The Agreement acknowledged NU’s insensitivity to its black community and evidenced the commitment of NU to improve the black student experience on campus. In particular, it was intended to be a mandate for NU to make continuous and sustained improvements in this area: “In short, this means that special recognition and special concern must be given, for some unspecifiable time, to the black community that is emerging within our institution.” Unfortunately however, objective assessments show that these efforts have reached a disappointingly premature plateau and reversal.

In the summer of 2015, students and alumni were emailed a plan  to further integrate the Black House into the services provided by Multicultural Student Affairs in a reversal of these terms outlined in The Agreement. This was not discussed with students or alumni who fought for the Black House. This lack of inclusion and consideration for diverse needs of the Black population will not be accepted.

The Black House is an icon. If Northwestern was a city, it would be among the first buildings to be granted landmark status. However, it has been neglected, and as a result, it has become underutilized. It is fair to say this is occurring at the same time the University seeks to further the cause of a “One Northwestern” campaign, which we also applaud. However, these things aren’t mutually exclusive, and we take offense to attacking the ongoing need and relevancy (and especially removing and otherwise diluting support services offered within the Black House) in the way that has occurred.

There are options that allow the Black House to evolve and enhance services provided to Black students. Any of the following are reasonable considerations

• Our Black House as a resource center and technology hub.
• Our Black House should be the focus of expanded efforts to improve the Student Experience.
• Our Black House can be home of the NUBAA Archives

Full details of any of these considerations is available at www.NUBAA.org

Any subset of the above would make for a wonderful modernization of the Black House. Let’s not restrict the conversation to how offices should be shuffled around and reallocated.

This message doesn’t get communicated without your active support and participation (read attendance) at the Black House Listening Sessions.

Session 3: Nov. 16, 12:00 – 1:30 pm Norris Center, Wildcat Room (101), 1999 Campus Dr.
Session 4: Nov. 20, 5:00 – 6:30 pm Scott Hall, Guild Lounge, 601 University Place

Thank you for your support of Northwestern, its students and Northwestern University Black Alumni Association.

Let Your Voice be Heard and sign our petition today!  Please leave a comment with your school and year of graduation, i.e. WCAS 2004, so we can show that NU students, alum and faculty care about this issue.