To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come: Greetings

Whereas, the Afro-American Studies Program at the University of Mississippi is dedicated to educational opportunity and education quality for all citizens of the State of Mississippi, and

Whereas, black students enrolled in the University of Mississippi in the Spring of 1970 proved to be equally dedicated to educational opportunity and quality education for all students at the University of Mississippi;] and

Whereas, their commitment was manifested in actions to increase minority enrollment, diversify the faculty and staff and acknowledge the contributions of Blacks; and

Whereas, in the Spring 1970, black students at the University of Mississippi put forth demands for the “incorporation of Black Studies programs highlighting the contributions of Black people in the fields of literature, history, the fine arts, etc.” and “the employment of Black instructors in all schools of the university”; and

Whereas, after several campus protests 97 students were arrested, 40 of whom were sent to Parchman Prison, 8 of whom were suspended from the University; and

Whereas, by the Fall Semester 1970, the Black Studies Program and courses had been approved and the first black faculty member appointed, the process of building an Afro-American Studies Program and recruitment of black faculty had begun, Therefore be it

Resolved that the University of Mississippi's Afro-American Studies Program hereby recognizes the positive contributions and sacrifices of those students in their efforts to expand educational access, opportunity, and a diversity of understanding and knowledge.