Guy Sims' Eye On the
Center for Multicultural Education

The History of the Center for Multicultural Education
Established in February 1971, the Ethnic Minorities Cultural & Educational Center was established in February, 1971 with the mission is to provide both educational and cultural activities that promote cross-cultural awareness and multicultural understanding through participation in its programs by all segments of the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, and Waterloo communities (Dr. Michael Blackwell, director). After more than 25 years, the Center has changed its name to the CENTER for MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION (CME).

The Center's initial purpose was to share and reflect the culture of African Americans, Latino Americans, and Native Americans. It has since added Asian Americans as part of its charge. The CME positively projects the presence of these cultures in all areas of American society and provides an atmosphere that nurtures the students of color towards developing a positive sense of identity, pride, and confidence while they are functioning and fulfilling goals in the educational mainstream.

The history of the CME actually begins in the late 1960's.  There was a dual concern of some of the State College of Iowa's  faculty that (1) there was an extremely small number of minority students - seldom more than fifty-  and (2) the majority of the students have never associated with members of ethnic minority students.  At that time period, the population of Blacks in Iowa was approximately 25,000 (less than 9/10% of the total population).  Other ethnic minority groups represented even less than that.  By 1974, the total number of all minority groups in the state amounted to only 1.2% of the population.

The goal of this site is to chronicle the events and conversations that led to the development of what would eventually become the Center for Multicultural Education.  You may follow the links below to learn further about specific events. (Please note that after connecting to some links you may be required to use your 'back' button to return to this site)

• Plans for a program of urban education and desegregation
  
• The development of COURIMGE (The Committee on University  Responsibility in Minority Group Education
  
• Improving relations of  students of minority groups on campus
  
• The Afro-American Cultural Center
  
• Controversy Surrounding the Key Hole Room
  
• The Nation comes to UNI: New Demands from the Afro-American Society
  
• The Board Approves a Cultural House
  
• The 17 hour Sit-In at the President's Home
  
• Regents approve the Ethnic Minorities Cultural and Educational Center
  
• The Center for Multicultural Education
  
• References