Black Student Union
The criticisms and push for inclusivity at the University of Idaho were in large part due to the efforts of the Black student population on campus, even though it was initially much smaller than its current numbers. The Black student population during the late 1960s and early 1970s was almost entirely composed of Black student-athletes who had come to the University of Idaho seeking growth. These Black student-athletes pioneered the origins of the Black Student Union (BSU) in 1971 when they joined together and drafted the “Rationale for the Black Student Union.” This document, though brief, gives vital information into the design of what these Black student-athletes on campus at the time wanted to accomplish, with their main goals being to advocate the importance of Black culture and combat racism and ignorance by creating a center for cultural interaction.1
Looking at one of the BSU’s goals, cultural centers at universities have continuously been at the forefront for many students of color across the United States. The most notable beginning of the demands for Black cultural centers is noted as having been around the 1960s and 1970s, during the Black Student Movement of the time. In the book titled Culture Centers in Higher Education, by Lori D. Patton, it is observed that many Black students demands for Black cultural centers were intertwined with the idea of seeing Black culture in higher academia. Patton notes that “in essence they wanted to see their culture recognized in academics (curriculum and faculty), social life (student activities, residential life), and administrative affairs (financial aid, admissions).2
Following this, Patton also highlights that these demands where fought to make Black students’ campus environment more conducive, cultural centers were sought out by Black students who (after the establishment of centers on campuses) noted that cultural centers acted as a “Home away from Home.” And while the perception of these cultural centers at Predominantly White Institutions is that of a segregation from White students, Black cultural centers in actuality have served as learning spaces for all students. Many Black studies programs have started at these cultural centers with the intention of helping to better educate White persons on campus about Black culture and history. As such, these centers have not only served as safe spaces for Black students on campuses, but also as the focal points of Black student activism on campus that have sought to increase their presence in higher academia.
With this context given in relation to one of the BSU’s overall goals, the original six founders of the Black Student Union were all Black student-athletes, and those six Black student-athletes were Malcolm Smith (President of the BSU), Adrian Prince (Treasurer of the BSU), Jesse Craig, Jay Wheeler, Loren Dantzler, and Robert Lee Williams.3
Malcolm Smith was the first President of the BSU and came to the University of Idaho