On October 14th, 1968, membersof the Black Student Union organized to give voice to campus injustice. They demanded that UCSB take action to support the Black students on campus and implement a Black Studies Department educating students and faculty alike about the complexities of the Black experience. Sixteen members pioneered the movement, barricading themselves in the North Hall computer center around 6:30 a.m.
North Hall Takeover!

Major Demands Outcomes

Tired of being ignored, Black students took over North Hall in order to force the Chancellor to accept this list of demands.

  • The establishment of a commission designed to investigate problems resulting from personal or individual racism;

  • The development of a college of Black Studies;

  • Reaffirmation of President Hitch’s directive calling for increased hiring of minority persons;

  • The hiring of a black female counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP);

  • The appointment of black coaches ‘whenever this becomes possible’;

  • Non-condonement of any harassment by any students, whatever color;

  • The development of a community relations staff ‘to be actively prosecuted’;

  • Asking for the firing of Athletic Director Jack Curtice and Arthur Gallon, head of the Physical Activities department”