Forty years ago this month, a coalition of African-American Pembrokers and Brown students staged a walkout that became one of the most influential protests in the University's history. The students were dissatisfied with the low number of African-American students on campus and demanded that the administration make diversity a priority.
One of the students' primary requests was that the class of 1973 be 11 percent African-American. This goal was not met, but the protest did result in the creation of what has become the Third World Transition Program. This pre-orientation program introduces students of color to Brown and "provides an introduction to the support structures and resources available to them," according to the Third World Center's Web site.
To celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the historic walkout, the Third World Center is planning a commemoration ceremony to take place during Commencement this spring, according to Director of Regional and Multicultural Programs Myra Liwanag. Liwanag said Commencement would be the ideal time for the commemoration because alumni, including many who participated in the walkout, will be on campus.
The Third World Center has made a survey available to students interested in planning the commemoration. She added that alumni who participated in the walkout will also contribute to the planning.
