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... documenting the history of the University of Delaware

Student protestors outside the President’s House calling for South African Divestment, 1979

Delawareans at the Epicenter

Student protesters outside the President’s House from the 1980 yearbook.
Student protestors outside the President’s House calling for South African Divestment, 1979

1980 Blue Hen
University of Delaware Archives and Records Management

National movements towards peace and away from “establishment thinking” were reflected in views espoused by the Delaware student body. Students reacted to both government and university policies with sit-ins, tent cities on the Green, articles and petitions. Although the Newark campus was mainly free of the violence that some universities experienced in this era, Delaware students intended to be noticed. For example, the Coalition Against Investment in South Africa (CAISA), formed on campus in 1979, brought petitions to the Board of Trustees, set meetings with university administration, and protested outside the home of President Trabant on Kent Way, demanding to be heard.