This resource guide is intended to provide primary sources and
background reading related to social movements, student protests,
and demonstrations that have occurred on campus throughout the last
several decades. These include academic freedom and free speech,
LGBTQ rights, civil rights and racial justice, Latinx history and the La Casa
protest of 1992, women’s equality, disability rights, and war protest.
If you have questions about any of this material, please contact the Student
Life and Culture Archives at (217) 333-7841 or email eswain@illinois.edu or
kanicho2@illinois.edu.
Using the Archives:
Social Movements General Sources:
Daily Illini student newspaper (digitized years 1873-1975)
Illio yearbook (digitized years 1895-2011)
University Board of Trustees Biennial Reports (digitized years 1867-2011)
Overviews of Social Movements and Student History Timeline:
Cold War Resource Guide (Overview of Topics)
Student Timeline (left side of website)
Academic Freedom/Freedom of Speech
Background Reading:
“Conflict Over Academic Freedom and Free Speech at U of I” resource guide
Wisseman, Nicholas, “Falsely Accused: Cold War Liberalism Reassessed,” Historian, June 1, 2004
Primary Sources:
Students for Free Speech newsletter, March 20, 1967
See also entries under “Vietnam War” below
Civil Rights/Racial Justice
Project 500 and Black Power on Campus, 1965-1975:
Background Reading:
Jordan, Angela, “Black Power on Campus, 1968-1969” blog post, September 14, 2014
Williamson, Joy. Black Power on Campus: The University of Illinois, 1965-75 (UI Press, 2003)
Primary Sources:
Black Student Association Publications
Walrus, 1968 — issue digitized at the right
Williamson-Lott, Joy, Black Power on Campus, powerpoint presentation for UI Sesquicentennial, October 26, 2017 — contains primary sources (download to view entire powerpt)
Black Lives Matter, 2000s
Primary Sources:
Being Black at Illinois (Record Series 41/66/22)
Black Students for Revolution (RS 41/66/23)
LGBTQ
Background Reading:
“Pride Month 2015: LGBT History on Campus,” blog post by Caitlin Stamm, June 4, 2015
Primary Sources:
Digital Sources – LGBT at UIUC
People Like Us (RS 41/66/815)
Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, LGBTQ timeline at UI, 20th Anniversary Facebook site, and 2013 interview with Curt McKay (iSchool alumnus, administrator and LGBTQ activist)
Curt McKay feature piece on iSchool website, 2018
UPCenterCU oral histories — “The UP (Uniting Pride) Center of Champaign County is a multi-service agency, for youth and adults, with a purpose to support and promote human care, education, and community-building activities directed at furthering the well-being and development of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally community of Champaign County”
Chief Illiniwek
Background Reading:
Primary Sources:
“A Challenge to the Chief,” Illio, 1975, page 154
“Chief… Chief…Chief,” Illio, 1979, page 73
WILL Media Archives- coverage of the Chief
In Whose Honor? documentary – students and staff can sign up for free to watch through Kanopy; this is a documentary but it includes primary sources
Kaufman, Stephen, “Chief Illiniwek: A Brief History and Call to Action, ” Public I, May 2019
Feminist Movement
Background Reading:
“Second Wave Feminism on Campus”
Templeton, Patty. “Second Wave Feminism in the Student Life and Culture Archives”
Primary Sources:
Women’s Week Announcement, 1976
Sexist Pig Contest, 1976. Flyers and reactions in Daily Illini (RS 41/66/100, Box 1)
National Women’s Music Festival, 1977 (RS 41/3/10, Box 6)
Women Fight Back, 1980 (RS 41/66/100, Box 1)
Women Students’ Union Newsletter, Jan/Feb1976 (RS 41/66/100, Box 1)
Women’s Community Newsletter, Nov. 1980 (RS 41/3/10, Box 8)
Women’s Community Newsletter, Nov. 1981 (RS 41/3/10, Box 8)
Office of Women’s Resources and Services Newsletter, Apr. 1984 (RS 41/3/10, Box 6)
Latinx History and 1992 Protest on Campus
Background Reading:
Primary Sources:
“Cops Remove Latino Protesters at U. of I.,” Chicago Tribune, May 5, 1992
“Latinx Students’ 1992 Protest Sparks Solidarity,” Daily Illini, April 20, 2017
La Casa Cultural Latina Publications (RS 41/64/840)
Disability Rights on campus: Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES)
Background Reading:
Primary Sources:
Exhibit: “Gaining Momentum: DRES at the University of Illinois” — including primary sources
Vietnam War
Background Reading:
Chronology of Campus Protests: (download button on left)
Jordan, Angela. “The Time has Come the Walrus Said,” blog post, February 14, 2014
Primary Sources:
Fein, Vern, “Campus Demonstrations: A Protester’s Perspective,” Demonstration Tour Notes
Images from Fein Tour Notes document:
Disturbance on Green Street, May 1970
General Motors Protest, October 1970
Student Holds Sign at Campus Strike, c May 1970
Students for Free Speech newsletter, March 20, 1967
“Protesters End Dow Visit,” Daily Illini, October 26, 1967
“Violence Flares after Police Kill Young Urbana Black Man,” Daily Illini, August 1, 1970
Archives Search- Photographs (as example, search: “Demonstrations“)