EXHIBIT
CREATING HOME
BLACK INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
In this exhibit you can explore the different phases of Solitude’s history. We begin during the period when this place was indigenous land, and go on to explore its history as a slave plantation in the nineteenth century.
In 2003, Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors came under fire after voting to no longer consider race, gender, or sexual orientation as factors in admissions, financial aid, or faculty hiring. This decision was seen as a "Death Blow" to Affirmative Action and was vehimitely opposed by students, parents, faculty, and concerned citizens. The decision was followed by weeks of protests by students and faculty, including forums, marches from faculty, and rallies on the Drillfield and outside of Burruss Hall. After weeks of protest, the Board of Visitors eventually acquised, and recinded their decision.
The Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association both passed resolutions condeming the BOV's decision and calling for a reversal. "Affirmative action death blow at Tech"- Collegiate Times, March 12, 2003 Faculty members attending a protest outside War Memorial Chapel, Collegiate Times, April 8, 2003
Approximately 500 people attended a March 13th protest on the steps of Burruss Hall Outside of the Affirmative Action controversy of 2003, Virginia Tech has made considerable efforts since 2000 to promote diversity and inclusion on campus. In 2002, the Board of Visitors passed a resolution renaming New Residence Hall West as Peddrew-Yates Hall, in honor of the school's first Black student and graduate. In 2019, Virginia Tech founed the Ujima Living Learning Community in Peddrew-Yates Hall, which gives students from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about, support, and celebrate Black achievements and excellence. Charles Yates (left) and Irving Peddrew III (right) at the dedication of Peddrew-Yates Hall, March 29, 2003
BLACK COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE 1960S AND BEYOND BARRIERS OF ENTRY INTO WHITE CAMPUS CULTURE FORGING A STUDENT COMMUNITY A CONSTANT BATTLE BETWEEN INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION ADMINISTRATION PROMOTING DIVERSITY
