1996 All OSU Boycott & March
institutional polices intended to make OSU a more inclusive and supportive campus.
However, in February of 1996, a number of racially-based incidents proved that the
campus climate was still unwelcoming and unsafe for students of color. The incidents
included an African American student who was verbally abused and threated with
physical violence, defaced posters of both an African American student running for
ASOSU president and of upcoming campus speaker Anita Hill, as well as a fraternity
activity with perceived Ku Klux Klan undertones. (1) Although there were only about 170
African American students on a campus of 14,000, with 13% of the total population
students of color, they rallied together to organize the All OSU Boycott on March 13,
1996. The boycott drew 1,500 students and community members in a march through
campus and 2,000 in the Memorial Union Quad to hear students of color speak about
their experiences enduring racism. (2)
In the weeks prior to the All OSU Boycott, a number of events took place to address
the need for institutional change. On February 22, the TEAM (Together Everyone
Accomplishes More) student coalition gathered and submitted a proposal to President
Risser, which he accepted, to develop offices for recruitment and retention services
for students of color. (3) In early March, the two white students who racially harassed
the African American student were suspended from the university for two years and
were later arrested for the hate crime. (4) On March 11, students and various campus
organizations gathered to discuss campus racism and wrote letters of support. (5)
Prior to the boycott, the student organizers heavily publicized the event and invited
the media to cover the day-long activities. April Waddy of the Lonnie B. Harris
Black Cultural Center (BCC) said, “What we hope to do is increase racial awareness.
We believe that a visible black community is a safer black community. Support for
diversity, support for increased racial consciousness makes it harder for racism to rear
its ugly head on campus.” (6)
On the morning of Wednesday, March 13, the All OSU Boycott began. Organizers
addressed the media during a press conference at the BCC, and then joined
demonstrators, who showed solidarity by bypassing their classes and university
services. They marched through the campus and gathered at the Memorial Union
Quad for a “speak out,” where students of color voiced their concerns and encouraged
unity against racism and discrimination. That afternoon students and community
members came together in the Memorial Union Ballroom for a round table forum to
continue the conversation. A variety of students of color expressed their frustrations
and hopes; one Latino student talked of the importance of political activism and
declared, “I don’t want to be quiet; I want to make a stand.” (7)
Over a year after the boycott, the OSU Honors College published a special issue of The
Chronicle with articles exploring the progress made as well as the changes still needed
in the campus climate. Students, faculty and staff, and administrators expressed their
opinions. In his article, Dr. Larry D. Roper, the Vice Provost for Student Affairs stated,
“While we may have not seen major changes in the structure and functioning of the
campus in the past year, I do believe there is a significant change in the force and
direction of energy being exerted. I strongly believe this energy is a sign of hope.” (8)
