Chicago University's Black Student Admission: A Historical Perspective

The University of Chicago has a long history of allowing Black students to enrol and pursue advanced studies. The university's precursor, the Old University of Chicago, started enrolling small numbers of Black students after the Civil War due to the Baptist leaders' commitment to human equality and abolitionist ideals. The present University of Chicago, founded as a separate legal entity, continued this legacy and became a hub for Black intellectuals. Between 1870 and 1940, 45 African American students were granted PhDs at the University of Chicago, more than at any other institution in the nation. The first African American undergraduates included Cora B. Jackson (1896), James Garfield Lemon (1904), and Georgiana Simpson (1911). Despite these achievements, social life for Black students was challenging, and they faced discrimination and isolation. However, over time, the university made progress towards integration, and by the 1940s, it had become a leader in granting PhDs to African American students. Today, the University of Chicago continues to foster diversity and address issues of concern to the Black community through organisations like the Organization of Black Students (OBS).

The University of Chicago was founded in 1890 and allowed students of colour and women to pursue advanced studies

The University's precursor, the Old University of Chicago, was founded in 1856 by Baptists and was located on 35th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. It was not an integrated school initially, but it started enrolling small numbers of Black students and women after the Civil War. The Baptist leaders of the Old University held a strong commitment to human equality and supported abolitionist ideals. These factors allowed small numbers of Black students to enrol in the Old University.

When the present University of Chicago was founded in 1890, it continued to allow women and people of all races to enrol. However, it is difficult to pinpoint who the first Black students were and when they enrolled, as the University did not organise student lists by race until sometime between 1908 and 1915. The earliest known Black undergraduates include Cora Jackson (1896), James Garfield Lemon (1904), and Georgiana Simpson (1911).

Despite the University's progressive stance on admissions, social life for Black students was challenging. They faced social exclusion and racism on campus. For example, a Black student, Cecilia Johnson, was falsely accused of attempting to pass as white to join a sorority. Another student, Georgiana Simpson, had her permission to stay in campus dorms revoked by the University president due to protests by white, Southern students.

However, things began to change in the following decades. After taking office in 1923, the new University president, Ernest DeWitt Burton, implemented a new policy allowing Black students to stay in the dorms. This led to a warming of attitudes towards integration, and Black and white students began participating in clubs together, including the "Interracial Group."

By 1943, the University of Chicago had granted PhDs to 45 African American students, more than any other institution in the nation. Notable African American graduates from this period include Monroe Nathan Work, Carter G. Woodson, Benjamin Mays, Katherine Dunham, and Vivian Harsh. Many of these scholars became intellectual leaders and pioneers in their respective fields, shaping disciplines from sociology to cell biology and establishing new fields in African American history and literature.

Today, the University of Chicago continues to be a hub for Black intellectuals, with organisations like the Organization of Black Students (OBS) addressing issues of concern to the Black community on campus and fostering a sense of community for Black students.

The Old University of Chicago, its precursor, was not an integrated school but started enrolling small numbers of Black students after the Civil War

The University of Chicago has a long history of educating Black students and was unique among the nation's top universities in its willingness to allow students of colour and women to pursue advanced studies.

The story of Black students at the University of Chicago begins with its precursor, the Old University of Chicago, founded in 1856 by Baptists and located on 35th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. The Old University of Chicago was not initially an integrated school, but it started enrolling small numbers of Black students and women directly after the Civil War. The Baptist leaders of the Old University held a strong commitment to human equality and supported abolitionist ideals. These factors allowed small numbers of Black students to enrol in the Old University.

The University of Chicago was founded as a separate legal entity due to the financial problems of the Old University of Chicago, but it continued the legacy of accepting students of all races and genders. Between its founding and 1940, 45 African American students were granted PhDs at the University of Chicago, more than at any other institution in the nation. The earliest known Black undergraduates include Cora Jackson (1896), James Garfield Lemon (1904), and Georgiana Simpson (1911).

Despite the progressive policies of the University, social life for Black students was challenging. They faced various forms of discrimination and were often excluded from social activities. However, attitudes began to change in the 1920s, with the implementation of new policies that allowed Black students to stay in the dorms and participate in clubs alongside their white peers.

The University of Chicago played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape for Black scholars, who went on to become leaders and pioneers in their respective fields. Notable alumni include Monroe Nathan Work, Carter G. Woodson, Benjamin Mays, Katherine Dunham, and Vivian Harsh. The University's commitment to diversity and academic excellence contributed to the success and influence of Black intellectuals, shaping the civil rights movement and various academic disciplines.

The University of Chicago did not organise student lists by race until sometime between 1908 and 1915

The University of Chicago was founded as a separate legal entity from the Old University of Chicago, which was founded in 1856. The Old University of Chicago was not an integrated school, but it did begin to enrol small numbers of Black students after the Civil War. The University of Chicago was unique among the nation's top universities in its willingness to allow students of colour and women to pursue advanced studies. However, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly who the first Black students at the University were and when they enrolled. This is because the University of Chicago did not organise student lists by race until sometime between 1908 and 1915, around 20 years after the University was founded.

The University Registrar did, however, note on a student's transcript if they were "Negro". Originally, these notations were in the form of marginal notes on the transcripts. But, as mentioned, between 1908 and 1915, the Registrar's Office added a line on the transcript form for entering a student's racial identity.

The earliest Black undergraduates found from the University Registrar include Cora Jackson (1896), James Garfield Lemon (1904), and Georgiana Simpson (1911). However, there may have been other Black students at the University whose race was not noted on their transcripts, or who were not included on the student lists. It is important to recognise that the absence of racial identification in the University's records does not necessarily indicate that a student was White.

The University of Chicago has a long history of enrolling students of colour and women, dating back to its founding. The University's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its willingness to allow students of all races and genders to pursue advanced studies. However, it is important to acknowledge that the University's record-keeping practices around race were not consistent or comprehensive until the early 20th century. This makes it challenging to accurately identify the first Black students who attended the University.

By 1943, at least 45 Black students had earned PhDs from the University of Chicago—more than any other university in the country

The University of Chicago has a long history of allowing Black students to enrol and pursue advanced studies. By 1943, at least 45 Black students had earned PhDs from the University of Chicago—more than any other university in the country.

The University's commitment to human equality and relative support for abolitionist ideals allowed small numbers of Black students to enrol in the Old University of Chicago, which was founded in 1856. The University's proximity to historically vibrant African American communities in Bronzeville, South Shore, and Woodlawn may have also played a role in attracting Black students.

Despite facing racism and discrimination, Black students at the University of Chicago persevered and excelled in their studies. One notable example is Georgiana Simpson, who became the first Black woman in the United States to receive a PhD in 1921. Simpson faced racism during her time at the University, including being forced to live off-campus due to the objections of white students.

The University's policy on campus housing changed in 1923 when the new president, Ernest DeWitt Burton, began considering the possibility of integration. This shift in attitude towards integration led to Black and white students participating in clubs together, including the creation of an "Interracial Group".

The University of Chicago's legacy of enrolling Black students and fostering their academic success is an important part of its history. The graduates of the University went on to become intellectual leaders and scholars across the nation, with Chicago as their nexus. Notable alumni include Monroe Nathan Work, Carter G. Woodson, Benjamin Mays, Katherine Dunham, and Vivian Harsh.

The Black student population at the University of Chicago Lab High School is about 9%

The University of Chicago has a long history of racial integration, with the university's precursor, the Old University of Chicago, enrolling small numbers of Black students after the Civil War. The present university was founded to avoid the financial problems of the Old University, but it maintained the allowance of students of all races to enrol.

The University of Chicago was unique among the nation's top universities in its willingness to allow students of colour and women to pursue advanced studies. From its founding, Black students were permitted to enrol, and between 1870 and 1940, 45 African American students were granted PhDs—more than at any other institution in the nation. In the first decade of the 20th century, nine African Americans earned undergraduate degrees, and five earned graduate degrees.

Despite this, social life for Black students was difficult. They were integrated into the intellectual but not the social life of the university. For example, a Black student, Cecilia Johnson, was falsely accused of attempting to join a sorority by pretending to be white. Another student, Georgiana Simpson, had her permission to stay in campus dorms revoked by the university president after protests by white, Southern students.

However, attitudes began to change after 1923, when the new university president, Ernest DeWitt Burton, implemented a new policy allowing Black students to stay in the dorms. Black and white students began to socialise together, forming clubs, including the "Interracial Group". This pro-integration sentiment continued through the 1940s, and by the latter half of the 20th century, Black faculty became increasingly normalised at non-Black colleges.

Today, the University of Chicago Lab High School, a private co-ed school affiliated with the University of Chicago, has a Black student population of about 9%. In a recent open letter, members of the Black Students Association outlined several areas of consideration for the University, including reconsideration of the curriculum, more diverse faculty and students, and comprehensive diversity training. The letter was prompted by a recent incident in which a student posted a racist meme on social media.

The University of Chicago Lab School has a total student population of 1,930, with a minority student enrollment of 57.0% and a student-teacher ratio of 10:1. The school has been named one of the top five STEM schools in the nation.

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