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UNM Student Tuition Protest Files

 Collection
Identifier: UNMA-102

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains posters, flyers, buttons, negatives and correspondence from the students involved in the protest. There is also an edited transcript of Jesse Jackson’s phone call. Also included are copies of newspaper articles relating to the protest and a Solidarity Room plaque.

Dates

  • 1989

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Historical Note

In April 1989 the Board of Regents proposed a $100 per year (7.9%) tuition increase to help cover the costs of faculty/staff raises, new building construction, remodeling projects, and student recruitment. Students protested the increase because they felt this was the latest in a long line of tuition increases which saw their tuition double in the previous decade. Student also claimed that they felt that women and minority groups would be adversely affected by the increase. On April 11, 1989 students presented arguments against raising tuition to the Board of Regents. Despite the arguments the Board then voted to approve the increase. Students then staged several rallies, sit-ins, and occupied President Gerald May’s office in Scholes Hall. The Faculty Senate supported the student protests and objected to the administration’s tying their raises into the tuition increase. Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson called student leaders to offer his support for their actions. The Board of Regents agreed to revisit the tuition increase at a meeting on April 29. The Regents listened to student arguments for three hours at the meeting, but once again voted to keep the 7.9% tuition increase in place.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (1 Box and 1 Oversize folder)

Abstract

This collection consists primarily of student ephemera created in April 1989 during the protest of an approved tuition increase at the University of New Mexico.
Title
Finding Aid of the UNM Student Tuition Protest Files, 1989
Status
Completed
Date
© 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451