Imagine walking through UW’s Red Square and seeing a student climbing a rope up the walls of what is now Gerberding Hall above a gathered crowd of students, faculty and photographers.

It may surprise you to know that on May 20, 1968 two students did indeed climb a rope, into the office of Dr. Charles Odegaard, then president of the University of Washington, demanding change.

“If anybody remembers anything about [the protest], it’s that,” said Carl Miller, a UW alumnus who played an integral part in the protests and was present that day. “We brought the ropes just in case. We thought the university would block the doors before we got in.”

Carl Miller, a UW alumnus played an integral part in the protests and was present that day.

And that was a reasonable prediction, as the number of protestors grew from just members of the Black Student Union (BSU) to non-members who joined in on the cause and walked right into the building and the president’s office. Although there are discrepancies as to how many were actually present, ranging from 30 to 70 participants, there is no doubt about the impact of the protest.
  
“We weren’t quiet about going there,” said Miller. “We needed to get attention. They did lock the doors, but unlocked them after we said we would get in anyway.”

Once they reached Odegaard’s office, members of the BSU took over his office with five demands: recruit more students of color, establish an African-American studies program, create a resource center, hire more black staff and include African-American representatives on every policy-making body.

“We kept saying that we’re doing this now because we didn’t want people to have to do it in the future,” said Miller.

The efforts of Miller and the other student activists can be relived in a documentary now playing on UWTV: “In Pursuit of Social Justice: An Oral History of the Early Years of Diversity Efforts at the University of Washington.” Though centered on the May 1968 takeover of Odegaard's office by the UW's Black Student Union, the video also tells the story of other diversity efforts at the University of Washington from the early 1960s to the early 1970s.

The takeover, which might now seem revolutionary and necessary, was quite a gamble for those involved.

“We were all putting our future careers at risk. There were a lot of sit-ins and [taking over the president’s office] didn’t seem that foreign of an idea,” said Miller. “But it was still a big risk.”

The five demands were originally submitted to the university as a letter, but a delayed response turned words into action.

“A much smaller group of us were organizing around the idea for a while. In fact, we thought the whole board of regents was going to be there and that was the genesis for the idea,” said Miller.
Odegaard did eventually sit down with the students in a three-hour deliberation during which he agreed to meet the students’ demands.

To learn more about the historic events of the 1968 sit in watch “In Pursuit of Social Justice: An Oral History of the Early Years of Diversity Efforts at the University of Washington” on UWTV.

And meet the demands he did. Within two weeks, the university saw an increase of 12 new faculty members of color. The other four demands, however, would take time to accomplish.

“Dr. Odegaard and Professor Charles Evans were very, very supportive,” said Miller.

Odegaard’s support was a great advantage to the students.

“We didn’t know how good he was until he was gone,” said Miller. “There was so much he understood, but still was able to tell us when we went too far.”

Despite the actions of Odegaard and other members of the UW community, there was still a lot of work ahead.

“There was resistance from faculty and students. Some of the more conservative students talked about diluting the university and lowering standards,” recalls Miller, “But we kept demonstrating. We kept a constant pressure on the university. We kept up the pressure because we had to keep up the pressure.”

The result of such efforts can now be seen within the university, where the Instructional Center, Ethnic Cultural Center, Ethnic Opportunity Program and the Black Student Union still flourish as an integral part of the university community.

And that is exactly why Miller feels that students should watch this documentary.

“This [documentary] is a good snapshot of the time and this movement is an example of a positive result,” said Miller. “A lot of the demonstrations back in the day were against things and this was for something. It shows that protest can lead to something positive.”

Never-before-seen interviews filmed during the making of “In Pursuit of Social Justice” are now available to watch on demand online at uwtv.org. Only portions of the lengthy, in-depth interviews with those involved in the 1968 takeover could be included in the resulting documentary, but much more fascinating footage was captured. Visit our Web site for extended interviews with Miller, Sam Kelly, Larry Gossett, Emile Pitre and many others.

Although the takeover occurred some 40 years ago, the inspiration for the movement has relevance.  

“It was for the right thing. With anything, if you think you’re right, go ahead with it,” said Miller.
UW’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity is hosting a series of events commemorating 40 years of diversity here. Throughout the month of May, “The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History” photo exhibit in the Odegaard Undergraduate Library will offer a perspective on the civil rights movement. On May 7, a celebration will be held in the HUB Ballroom recognizing the 1968 Black Student Union. On May 20, a campus community celebration in Red Square will commemorate 40 years of diversity at UW.

Today, the University of Washington is a haven of cultural diversity.