Student Issue, 1969—Black Student Union Protest

On May 9 and 10, fifty to seventy-five members of the Black Student Union peacefully picketed the Austin Peay Administration Building, demanding (1) an African American cheerleader (reconsideration of Shirley Majors, who was not selected as a cheerleader in the Adawayhi tryouts); (2) funding of activities as previously submitted to the Student Activities Office; (3) more African American counselors; (4) more scholarships; (5) paid official African American recruiters, both students and staff members; (6) investigation of classroom discrimination. The protestors met with President Holt, Chancellor Weaver, and Howard Aldmon, vice chancellor for student affairs. Aldmon issued a statement strongly suggesting that the Student Tribunal decision denying Majors’ complaint alleging discrimination in selection of cheerleaders be appealed; announcing that five African American students had applied for 60 counselor positions and two had been selected; indicating that financial aid provided to African American students was proportionately higher, but that African American students needed even greater assistance and UT was committed to meeting the needs; stating that efforts were being made to recruit more African American students and to hire more African American recruiters; and declaring that there was no place for discrimination in classrooms, and such matters should be reported to the appropriate department head. Shortly thereafter, the Administrative Council approved a motion ordering Adawayhi Pep Club to conduct new cheerleader tryouts because its methods of selection were not in accord with its constitution and bylaws, since 5 of the 24 finalist candidates did not have the minimum required GPA of 2.20.

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  • Title Student Issue, 1969—Black Student Union Protest
  • Author
  • Keywords Student Issue, 1969—Black Student Union Protest
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
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  • Access Date May 1, 2025
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 16, 2018