Exhibits
Content warning: some items in this exhibit show images of violence, firearms, and hanging effigies. Additionally, some items may include offensive language. Please contact the WellCat Counseling Center.
- Title
- Free Speech Area
- Description
- Trinity Commons was formerly known as the Free Speech Area until 2010, but the Free Speech Area was originally situated between Trinity Hall, Colusa Hall, and Glenn Hall. In 1964, a Speaker's Platform was erected behind Trinity Hall. The platform was an early proclamation of Chico State’s commitment to free speech, conceived by the Associated Students for the purpose of “increased communication between students, faculty, the administration, and the townspeople.”
- Title
- First Street Demonstrations
- Description
- Frustrations regarding the Vietnam War, changes to the Education Code, and the non-retention of three faculty led to a large demonstration on First Street, notable for its scale and fury, but also for not tipping over into violence.
- Title
- Vietnam Anti-War Activity
- Description
- Years of rallies, boycotts, petitioning, draft card burnings, and teach-ins against the Vietnam War fueled a dedication to other causes, such as creating Chico's first recycling center and women's health clinic.
- Media
Protest against the draft in February, 1968
Protest against manufacturing of napalm in March, 1968
Solidarity with antiwar protests at Berkeley in May, 1969
Nationwide "moratorium" for fallen soldiers in October, 1969
Protesting President Nixon's Expansion of the War and killings of Kent State Students in May, 1970
Continuing the Protest on Trinity Commons
- Title
- Chico Strike Collective, 1975
- Description
- In 1975 and 1976, students occupied the Administration Building for weeks in protest of a policy allowing police to carry guns on campus.
- Title
- University Governance, 1969-1970
- Description
- In 1969, over half of all students and faculty gathered in Convocations to form action groups in response to changes to California’s Education Code that threatened student governance.
- Media
CSU students calling for change
Proposed changes to the California Education Code sparks a major convocation of students and faculty
Program For Convocation
Photos from the Convocation
The Committee for Academic Liberation presents its demands to the President
Mobilization of Students to Retain Faculty
Grovel
Serf City
- Title
- 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution, 1967
- Description
- A commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution in 1967 led to protests and counter-protests regarding limits to acceptable speech. In response, the university president upheld that "the basic freedoms of speech, assembly, and advocacy are vital to the life and continued effectiveness of any college campus; but so, also, are peace and order."
- Title
- Native American Protests, 1989
- Description
- In 1989, following an incident of harassment of Native American dancers, the Native American Indian club led a response, culminating in planting a Tree of Peace.
- Title
- Educational Opportunities Program (EOP)
- Description
- The Faculty Senate's creation of the Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) in 1968 increased student diversity and calls for a more inclusive campus, inviting speakers to campus, forming the Black Student Union, and creating the CSU's first Black Studies Program.
