Project 500 was the first extensive effort by the University of Illinois to offer equal educational opportunities for all of the residents of Illinois. The details of the project were poorly carried out, and miscommunication led to a protest at the Illini Union on September 10, 1968, which resulted in the arrest of 240 black students. This collection includes archives staff interviews with former administrators and Project 500 alumni at the Project 500 fiftieth anniversary events, September 28-29, 2018. It also contains audio recorded in 1968 by Assistant Dean David Eisenman concerning the Project 500 program and student occupation of the Illini Union held on September 10, 1968.
Raynard Hall had always knew he wanted to go to college, despite his dad having different ideas for him. He only learned about Project 500 after arriving at Illinois in August 1968. It didn't take long for him to get involved with student activism on campus, although he describes the Sep. 10, 1968 incident at the Union in passive terms: as a "Wait-In" opposed to something more purposeful like a "Sit-In." He remembers having a lot of fun during his time as student, which he attributes to the networking opportunities that being a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity opened up for him. Listen to hear the one piece of advice he feels is applicable to incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors alike.
