Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson Records
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A proposal for a racial awareness program
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This December 1969, proposal for a racial awareness training program aimed at the faculty and staff of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), was completed in light of charges of racial prejudice by members of the Upward Bound Project at UNCG. The proposal suggests a series of meetings between faculty, staff, and Upward Bound members, creation of an advisory committee and an awareness group, and hiring of staff members. A budget of approximately $35,000 is requested.
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About the negotiations
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This printed flyer/report distributed on March 30, 1969, states that negotiations involving food service workers are not proceeding as hoped and accuses food service contractor ARA Slater of "stalling" in the negotiations. It also mentions a faculty resolution on the negotiations and solicits student attendance at a picket to be held that day at the cafeteria.
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Black power Forum program
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This is the program for the Black Power Forum held at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro November 1-3, 1967. It includes a program schedule of panel discussions and lectures and the names of all panelists and lecturers, including Howard Fuller, Nathan Hare, and James Brewer. The forum generated considerable controversy statewide. The program is two pages and contains handwritten notes, presumably by Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson.
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Black power and white response
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This copy of Robert Hamill's sermon entitled "Black Power and White Response" was sent to UNCG Chancellor James S. Ferguson by Lurlene Barnhardt around June 1970. It was originally preached on February 16, 1969, to the congregation of Marsh Chapel at Boston University, where Hamill served as dean. At the request of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Barnhardt and Ferguson served on a white task force which drafted a position paper on race relations that was presented at a conference on race and religion held at North Carolina A&T State University in July 1970. Barnhart recommended background reading to the task force and included this reprint of the Hamill sermon. This copy has been marked up by Ferguson presumably in preparation for drafting the position paper and demonstrates his engagement in the topic.
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Black power forum agenda
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This is an agenda for the Black Power Forum organized by the University of North Carolina at Grensboro Student Government Association, and held November 1-3, 1967. It includes the schedule of events and discussions as well as panel members and speakers. One notable speaker is Howard Fuller, who had recently been hired amid some controversy as a lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Other speakers included Dr. Nathan Hare and Dr. James Brewer. The forum generated statewide controversy. The back side of the document contains handwritten notes, presumably by Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson.
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Chancellor Ferguson's response to Harry Fesperman concerning the UNCG food service workers' strike
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This letter, dated April 9, 1969, is University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson's response to a March 28 letter from Harry B. Fesperman of Thomasville, NC. Fesperman, father of a UNCH student, had written about his concern over student funds potentially being used to support the striking food service workers at UNCG. In his response, Ferguson assures Fesperman that no student funds were used for this purpose and that "outside influences" were responsible for most of the problems connected with the strike, which took place March 27 - April 2, 1967.
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Chancellor Ferguson's response to Student Government resolution on Food service
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This letter, dated May 15, 1969, is University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson's response to a copy of a Student Government Association resolution on university food services. The resolution urged administration to consider vendors other than ARA Slater during the contract negotiations. Ferguson responds that he has forwarded the resolution to Henry L. Ferguson and also notes that there is a committee allowing student input on the decision. This exchange follows the food workers' strike that took place at UNCG from March 27 to April 2, 1969.
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Chancellor Ferguson's response to student letter concerning UNCG food services
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This letter, dated May 9, 1969, is University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson's response to an April 30 letter from UNCG student Nancy Kay Highfill. In her letter, Highfill had expressed dissatisfaction with the food services provided by contractor ARA Slater and had suggested some changes in the program. Ferguson's response notes that negotiations are occurring with student input and that Highfill's suggestion of a "pay as you go" plan is among the ideas under consideration. This exchange follows the food workers' strike that took place at UNCG from March 27 to April 2, 1969.
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Complaint and motions for temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction
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This seventeen-page document is the original complaint and motion filed by plaintiffs in the case of the Neo-Black Society status dispute at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). On March 26, 1973, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Student Government Association (SGA) had voted to reclassify (removed funding and recognition from) the Neo-Black Society. The SGA decision was overturned by university administration on the basis of faulty evidence and improper procedure by SGA, resulting in an eventual legal case that led to the Neo-Black Society's reinstatement as a recognized and funded organization. The document contains firsthand accounts from the plaintiffs of what they described as threatening and intimidating contact by Neo-Black society members.
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Confidential memo from Dean Shipton about an incident in the Soda Shop at UNCG
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Dated March 14, 1969, this memo from University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Dean Clarence Shipton's office discusses an incident where "Lillian", a worker in one of UNCG's food service operations was approached and asked how she felt about her working conditions. This incident predates the food workers' strike that took place at UNCG from March 27 to April 2, 1969. The memo is signed PK, but is also labeled "From Dean Shipton".
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Consent order, Harris, et al. vs. Ferguson, et al.
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The three-page document consists of a consent order in the UNCG Neo-Black Society case, and an accompanying letter from Assistant Attorney General Edwin M. Speas, Jr. to University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson, dated November 28, 1973. The consent order states that the Neo-Black Society must remain open to all students regardless of race, as long as it is funded by the university. On March 26, 1973, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Student Government Association (SGA) had voted to reclassify (removed funding and recognition from) the Neo-Black Society. The SGA decision was overturned by university administration on the basis of faulty evidence and improper procedure by SGA, resulting in an eventual legal case that led to the Neo-Black Society's reinstatement as a recognized and funded organization.
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Decision by the Committee on Classification of Organizations in regard to constitutional challenges to the Neo-Black Society
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This seven-page document consists of the text of a February 25, 1973, decision by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Student Government Association's (SGA)Committee on Classification of Organizations as to whether the Neo-Black Society qualified for recognition and funding under the SGA By-laws. The committee ruled that the Neo-Black Society's activities fell within the parameters set by SGA, and that complaints about its ties to a national organization and its membership rules did not violate SGA By-laws. Two copies of the decision, one original and one photocopy with notes are included, as is an accompanying memorandum from James H. Allen, Dean of Students at UNCG to Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson. The committee's decision was overruled by the Student Legislature resulting in administrative intervention and an eventual legal case leading to the Neo-Black Society's reinstatement as a recognized and funded organization.
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Decision of the Board of Trustees
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This document, dated June 4, 1973, outlines the decision of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Board of Trustees following an appeal hearing. The board determined that UNCG Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson acted correctly in overturning a Student Government Association (SGA) vote to change the organization's status, but also ordered that SGA hold another hearing to reconsider evidence in the matter. On March 26, 1973, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Student Government Association (SGA) had voted to reclassify (removed funding and recognition from) the Neo-Black Society. The SGA decision was overturned by university administration on the basis of faulty evidence and improper procedure by SGA, resulting in an eventual legal case that led to the Neo-Black Society's reinstatement as a recognized and funded organization.
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Draft of speech on the food service workers' strike, presented by Chancellor Ferguson at a student convocation
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This eight page (four two-sided) handwritten document is a draft of a speech presented by University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson at a student convocation held April 1, 1969. The speech concerns the food service workers' strike, which took place March 27 - April 1, 1969, and gives Ferguson's impression of the current status of the conflict. There is a brief discussion of the contract with ARA Slater, of student support for the strike, and of the continuing negotiations. Ferguson also restates his intention to follow applicable law with respect to disturbances related to the strike.
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Handwritten note or flier urging student support for striking UNCG food service workers
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This copy of a handwritten note or flier dated March 31, 1969, states the position that contractor ARA Slater must be pressured into negotiations with striking food service workers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), and solicits student support for the workers at a rally to be held that afternoon. The strike took place March 27 - April 2, 1969 at UNCG. There are some handwritten notes added to the page.
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Important notice for UNCG “Liberals”
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This flier decries the treatment of Black Panther activists in the region and invites people to come to a February 18, 1971 meeting in the UNCG student center (Ellitot Hall) for more information about the situation and to learn how they can help. There is no individual or organization identified as responsible for the meeting.
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In Defense of Self Defense
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This four-page pamphlet distributed at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Black Power Forum, contains Black Panther Huey P. Newton's essay In Defense of Self Defense. It is one of two pamphlets mentioned in and attached to a report concerning events surrounding the forum.
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Interview with an employee of the ARA Slater Food Service at UNCG
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This report of an interview with an unnamed employee of ARA Slater Food Services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) quotes the interviewee as stating that workers are concerned about their current status and working conditions and are aware of strikes among workers on other campuses. In addition, it notes that workers have no contract, can be fired at will, and lack specific job descriptions. This interview predates the food workers' strike that took place at UNCG from March 27 to April 2, 1969. A handwritten note, dated March 25, 1969, at the bottom states that the memo was forwarded to Chancellor James Sharbrough Ferguson by Phil O'Dorighty (whose name is corrected to Phil O'Doherty on an adjacent document).
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Legal filings in the case of Harris et al. vs. Ferguson et al.
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This legal filing, dated June 25, 1973, details the opposition of the plaintiffs in the case of Harris et al. vs. Ferguson et al. to a motion to dismiss the case. Included are a memorandum in opposition to motion to dismiss, motion for preliminary injunction, and brief in support of motion for preliminary injunction, prepared by Michael K. Curtis, attorney for the plaintiffs. On March 26, 1973, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Student Government Association (SGA) had voted to reclassify (removed funding and recognition from) the Neo-Black Society. The SGA decision was overturned by university administration on the basis of faulty evidence and improper procedure by SGA, resulting in an eventual legal case that led to the Neo-Black Society's reinstatement as a recognized and funded organization. Plaintiffs in the case were members of the SGA who supported reclassification.
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