In an effort to heighten awareness about the racial climate on campus in years past and the difficulties that faced black students, the Campus Y, the Black Student Movement, the Office of Minority Affairs and Admissions Offices are sponsoring a celebration of the 50th anniversary of racial integration at UNC this week.
Lindsay Reed, Campus Y special projects innovator, said she feels integration is an issue that students today need to be informed about.
BSM President Kristi Booker said the celebration recognizes the early students' courage in enrolling in the University and their struggles during integration.
"They opened the doors to other students of color to make the University a diverse place," Booker said. "It is also our way of honoring their contributions."
A historical fair was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Tuesday in the Pit. Reed, who started researching integration last spring, displayed articles and pictures about the first black students who enrolled at UNC.
A panel discussion will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at 103 Bingham Hall. Panel speakers will include Jack Boger, a law professor, and Herb Davis, a representative from the admissions office.
The discussion will focus on racial preference in college admissions. Boger will be talking about various forms of affirmative action.
Boger said affirmative action was put into place in the 1960s and 1970s and affects higher education, government contracting and employment. UNC does not use affirmative action in its admissions policies. "In the mid-1970s, affirmative action programs came under legal challenge, and the Supreme Court has been wrestling with this for 25 years," he said.
The discussion will address whether the University should give preference to students of color because they were denied admission before integration.
