Black Studies Advisory Committee

The Black Studies Advisory Committee was formed by faculty from several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences to collaborate with Melvin Wade in creating the Black Studies curriculum.

"Committee Designs Black Studies," unknown, March 24, 1971

Memo from Melvin Wade to William Gaines, October 26, 1970

List of Black Studies Advisory Committee members, date unknown.

"Charge to Black Studies Program Advisory Committee on March 1, 1971."

The committee consisted of Dr. Orville Menard as Committee Chairman, Mr. Adams, Dr. Barger, Dr. Hunter, Mr. May, Dr. Newport, Mr. Norwood, Dr. Schilz, Mrs. Stephenson, and Mr. Waterman. Three students, Ms. Carmen White, Mr. James Nelson, and Mr. James Zadina were also members. The committee met frequently through 1971 and discussed course offerings, other departments that could potentially cross-list with Black Studies, staffing for the department, and budgeting. [1]

Memo to Melvin Wade re proposed curriculum, circa 1971

Report and Recommendations about the Black Studies department to President Naylor from the Dean of Academic Affairs. February 8, 1971

"Minutes of the Black Studies Advisory Committee." May 3, 1971

"Recommendation for a Black Studies Department." circa 1971.

The Advisory Committee made recommendations for the implementation of Black Studies at UNO. Wade envisioned a curriculum that balanced theory, real-world application, and community engagement. The committee examined how best to offer classes that emphasized cultural understanding and literacy, innovative understandings of race, and practical solution for finding jobs. [2]

Letter to Jerry McKenney from Melvin Wade, May 3, 1971

Letter to Dean Blackwell from Melvin Wade, July 22, 1971

Letter to Milton White from Kirk Naylor, August 19, 1971

Once the department received approval from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Board of Regents, the committee focused their efforts on hiring a chairman and two full time faculty. [3] Melvin Wade, who was leaving UNO for a position at Vassar College in New York state, contacted colleagues across the country to share the job posting. From the small, but highly-qualified pool of applicants, one candidate, Milton White, a PhD candidate in Political Science at University of California at Santa Barbara, stood out to the committee. Member from the Advisory Committee and Wade interviewed White over the phone and Wade was confident that White could steer the young department. Milton White accepted the position of acting chairman and assistant professor, with permanent chair contingent upon his completion of his PhD. [4]

Disbanding the Black Studies Advisory Committee, multiple documents

The Black Studies Advisory Committee remained active through the beginning of the 1971 Fall semester. Once the department was fully established with an acting chairman, an approved department budget, a growing list of courses offerings, and additional staffing, the committee was no longer deemed necessary in its advisory capacity. The Ccommittee disbanded during the Fall 1971 semester, after discussion and consultation with White. [5]