Our History

Our Roots: Student-Led Activism and Society’s Call for Equity

On May 20, 1968, members of the Black Student Union and their supporters occupied the office of UW President Charles E. Odegaard to demand an increased university commitment to diversity. UW administration responded by creating what is now known as the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D). These efforts established an infrastructure of support for underrepresented minority, first-generation and low-income students that included advising activities, instructional services and cultural spaces for community building.

In subsequent years, these efforts created the space for the inclusion of ethnic studies, gender studies and other academic programs focusing on aspects of diversity. The legacy of work by students, faculty, staff and community serve as a constant reminder that we stand on the shoulders of others who came before us and laid the foundation on which we operate in terms of the cultural activities, academic support infrastructure and intellectual resources that currently exist. Today, OMA&D college access programs serve over 21,000 students across the state, while retention programs serve over 5,700 UW undergraduates.