University Minnesota - A History of Protest

Protests at the University of Minnesota date back to the early 20th century, with students organizing around labor issues and women’s suffrage. In the 1930s, students supported workers’ rights and opposed rising fascism globally. The 1960s brought a wave of activism as students across the country mobilized around civil rights, opposition to the Vietnam War, and demands for educational reform.

The Morrill Hall sit-in stands as a landmark moment in the history of the University of Minnesota. On January 14, 1969, a group of Black students, supported by the Afro-American Action Committee (AAAC), occupied Morrill Hall. Their primary demands included:

• Establishing a Black Studies department.
• Increasing recruitment and support for Black students.
• Hiring more Black faculty and staff.
• Improving financial aid and housing options for Black students.

The Morrill Hall sit-in had broader implications beyond these immediate changes. It inspired activism among other marginalized groups on campus, including women, Indigenous students, and LGBTQ+ students, who pushed for greater equity and representation in University policies and curricula. The event also cemented the University of Minnesota’s reputation as a space where students could effectively challenge institutional power.

Staff at the University of Minnesota have historically supported protests and demonstrated solidarity with student and faculty activists. During the 1969 Morrill Hall takeover, staff members provided logistical support and helped amplify the voices of student activists fighting for the creation of the Afro-American Studies Department. This demonstrated a long-standing tradition of staff backing efforts for racial equity and justice at the U.

According to U policy, employees may organize or participate in demonstrations as private citizens during their non-working hours. This means employees can participate during the lunch break and other times when they are not scheduled to work. Employees interested in participating in demonstrations during scheduled work time must receive prior approval from their supervisor to use vacation time or their personal holiday. Employees cannot use sick or earned sick and safe time (ESST).

Resources and references

• Eight Days in May, anti-war protests at the U
• 1970 Student Strike–50 Years Later
• Student Activism in the Post-War Era
• Chicano students Twin Cities administration building (now Morrill Hall)
• Doe, J. (2020). Contemporary Student Movements: The Role of Activism in Higher Education. Academic Press.
• Johnson, R. (1989). Divestment and Dissent: The University of Minnesota and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Midwest Journal of Social Change.
• Smith, L., & Lee, A. (1995). A History of Civil Rights Activism at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Review.
• University of Minnesota. (2023). History of the Department of African American & African Studies.
• Williams, K. (1980). The 1969 Morrill Hall Takeover: A Turning Point for Equity in Higher Education. Minneapolis: Campus Press.