Xavier University Student, Faculty, Staff, and Alum Activism
This digital collection contains records relating to student, alum, faculty, and staff activism. It was created with records originating from a variety of collections, including the Division of Student Affairs, the Black Student Association, and the Student Government Association records. The records address topics such as acts of racism, racial justice, war, economic justice, and student political activity. The digital collection only represents a small portion of activism-related records housed in University Archives and Special Collections. If you are interested in additional primary sources, the student yearbooks and student newspapers provide further materials. Both are available online.
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Dear Xavier, Love Alumni: Call to Action in Anti-Racism Movement Letter
Hannah Sheppard, Rayanne Pancoast, and Haley Khoury
This open letter, created by the "Dear Xavier, Love Alumni" Committee, calls for greater action in the fight against racism on Xavier University's campus. Signed by over 200 alumni and spanning two decades of Xavier graduates, the main goal is to show that alumni support current student efforts and call Xavier University into further, more meaningful antiracism action. Additional contextual information can be found in the collection's finding aid.
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Public Statement
J. Kenneth Blackwell and Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). Afro-American Student Association
Public statement, written by Ken Blackwell and supported by the Afro-American Student Association, released on May 15, 1970 regarding Xavier University's lack of response to the deaths of African American students at Jackson State College. A separate statement, written by the Afro-American Student Association, calling the Xavier community to anti-racist action is attached. The association is the predecessor of the Black Student Association.
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An Open Letter of Congratulations to the Students of Xavier University
Patrick H. Ratterman and Patrick J. Nally
An open letter of congratulations to the students of Xavier University written by Patrick H. Ratterman, SJ, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Patrick J. Nally, Dean of Students.
This letter was distributed to Xavier University students after the 1969-1970 academic year. During this academic year, which also happened to be Xavier's first year of coeducation in the undergraduate day school, students, faculty, and administrators grappled with social and political movements sweeping the United States. The letter addresses responses to the events and issues that marked the year.
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A Prayer Service for Personal Recognition of Humanity
Handwritten flyer announcing that a prayer service for personal recognition of humanity will be held on October 15, 1969 at the Our Lady of Victory Shrine in front of the Alumni Science Building (now Edgecliff Hall).
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Memorandum concerning Black Students' Demands
J. Kenneth Blackwell
Memorandum sent on September 26, 1969 from the Afro-American Association to the Xavier University Administration regarding their progress in addressing a list of demands submitted by the organization in spring 1969. The packet also includes quotes from a speech given by Blackwell during freshmen orientation on September 21, 1969.
Due to the nature of the copy (blurred, faint text), optical character recognition programs may experience difficulty in identifying text.
