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On Friday, February 7, 196%, UH Afro-Americans for Black Liberation presented a list of demands on the administration, one of which was for a black studies program. Four months later, on June 1, the Afro-American Studies Program (AASP) began New courses have been offered each semester since the program start, and 24 more are slated to debut in the fall of this year. Dr Robert Haynes, history professor and acting director of the program, said one of the purposes of the program is to provide courses ‘which will analyze and critically examine the sociological psychological, economic and political aspects of the black community a it exists in the United States. The program includes courses in departments. Presenting black studies in this manner rather than as a separate department insures the permanence of the program against reactionary legislators and individuals in the community, Haynes said. He cited several schools where black studies departments have been curtailed. Haynes emphasized that nothing like this is to be feared at UH at this time During its first semester the program met 4 large student demand and almost all courses were filled, the acting director said “We are pleased to report that the program is still sustaining student interest, enabling us to continue to expand the number of courses and to establish such conveniences as a lounge for students involved in the program,” he said AASP has not had 100 per cent approval among students, however, Haynes remarked that any blacks believe the program has not fulfilied their needs, nor the needs of this university as an educational institution Some of the disapproval may result from the fact that only 1% of the 35 coures offered are taught by black instructors Haynes added on the positive side. Haynes feels the AASP has contributed toward further integrating the UI faculty, and it has awakened many university people to the fact that “the black man has a unique culture and heritage which should be examined critically and objectively, and which should be a part of any university's curriculum.” Also, the current studies are a start toward building a program more relevant for black students, Haynes stated. The next decision will be whether black studies should be expanded into a major or minor field, and whether it is to be a teaching field. ‘From there we will continue to build the curriculum to suit our goals,” he said On August 21, Haynes’ temporary post will be taken over by Dr. Robert Smithey. UH has signed Smithey as associate professor of English and director at WASP. Haynes said Dr Smithey has taught for the past two years at the University of Missouri at Kansas City
Newspaper Details
Houston Daily Cougar
Houston, Texas, US
Thu, Jun 11, 1970
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Dallas M.
USA 04 Feb 2026
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