Chapter 7: Courage and Confrontation (1969 - 1973) - NIU 125 Key Moments

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Chapter 7: Courage and Confrontation (1969 – 1973)

A tumultuous period brings a variety of national issues to campus, while athletics and the arts enter a new era of achievement. A leader from the private sector fends off attacks on the university’s expanding academic mission while NIU welcomes more transfer students and the campus becomes easier to navigate.

NIU football elevated to Division 1 level (1969)

Protests turn violent; Smith joins students at the Kishwaukee Bridge (May 19, 1970)

Gay Liberation Front becomes official student organization (April, 1970)

Richard J. Nelson becomes seventh president (August 1, 1971)

Center for Black Studies is established (1971)

Huskie Bus Line transportation system is born (1971)

First community college transfer policy published in NIU catalog (1972)

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is established (1973)

The NIU Steelband is formed (1973)

NIU joins the MAC (1973)