"Maybe we should have considered building separate black and white toilets too."- William Quarton, member of the Board of Regents.

The establishment of the Afro-American Cultural Center did not go without dissension.  Although the President was supportive of the use of the room by the Afro-American Society, however, in announcing the Union Policy Board's decision, he revealed a hint of skepticism regarding the arrangement.  Maucker felt that the room would only be successful if the Society acted responsibly in its planning.  This skepticism did not impede his desire to ensure the minority students receive assurances that their welfare was a University concern that he informed the Regents of this decision at its April, 1969, meeting.  He wanted reinforce to everyone that the Union was a public building. It was stressed that the room was not exclusive to the black students but they would help decorate it, have priority of the use of the space, but that it could still be utilized by other students.  It was conceded by the president that the arrangement was something of a deviation but that this arrangement was for the best.


Controversy revolving around the Key Hole Room came from all sides.  William Quarton, member of the Board of Regents expressed his sentiment, "...The use of the room for black students is going back to segregation. Maybe we should have considered building separate black and white toilets, too."   More than words, there were a series of 'pushing, shoving, and name calling' incidents between black and white students.  On the fourth day of the opening of the Union, April 7th, 1969, a fight broke out in the New Afro-American Cultural Center between  black UNI students and two white students from Iowa State University.  Also on that same day, some person poured paint down a stairway leading to the Union, broke a window, and tore door handles from three offices.
Accusations of "favoritism" began to circulate around campus by both students and faculty.  This for some was an example of the determination of black students to racially segregate themselves from white students.  There was also the feeling among white students that although they knew they were permitted to use the room, most of the time they "felt uncomfortable in it."

After the above and other similar events, President Maucker called a meeting with students and faculty to discuss the "tension that had developed over the Key Hole Room."  It was made clear at that meeting that a group of students and faculty had planned a legal appeal to the federal government against the University  since the Housing and Urban Development Agency had loaned some of the funds for building the Union.  In an effort to calm the public and avoid a lawsuit, President Maucker  requested suggestions that would help the situation and be in the best interest of all students.  It was believed that a second jukebox and setting up another room for dancing would help.  Others felt a meeting between the Union Policy Board and the Afro-American Society was necessary.  Eventually, tempers did recede, although there was an occasional flare up concerning the use of the room.

One of the more publicized controversies surrounding the Afro-American Cultural Center had to do with a $750.00 requested to purchase paintings for the center.  It was the understanding of the president of the Society that President Maucker told him "they could select anything they wanted and that the University would provide the funds for it."  Unfortunately, this 'blank check' policy was unusual for University policy.  To complicate matters further, the artist was Donna Sanchez, the Society's sponsor (advisor) and the assistant director of the program that advised and recruited disadvantaged students.  At that time, the Board of Regent's policy based on an Iowa statute specifically forbid an employee of the University serving as the sponsor of a student organization to profit financially from his or her position.  Therefore, the paintings could not be purchased by the University as long as Sanchez was a UNI employee.  Neither Vice President Lang nor Executive Dean Pendergraft would approve the requisition to purchase the paintings.  The reaction to this decision were feelings of "broken promises", some verbal threats, and a short-lived demonstration.  This all took place while President and Mrs. Maucker were on a world tour.

Upon Maucker's return to campus, he met with the officers of the Society and asked them identify some artistic works for the Afro-American Cultural Center.  Unfortunately, he could not recall mentioning any maximum amount that could be expended.  In the future, the Society was to make recommendations to the President and not to obtain purchase orders without the President's specific authorization.  In an effort to resolve the matter of the previously requested artwork, the President appointed a committee of three Department of Art members to judge the worth of the paintings (Sanchez').  The result was that the President agreed to buy the paintings at the stipulated price of $750.00, with payment to be made only after Sanchez resigned her position.  A few weeks later, she resigned.


Next: The Nation comes to UNI: New Demands from the Afro-American Society

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