Ibrahim Gardner
Howard University, a historically Black research institution, has a rich history of student-led activism. In 1968, over 1,000 students occupied the administration building for five days, demanding African American history courses and reforms in student discipline policies. In 2018, students staged a nine-day sit-in protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing. More recently, in 2024, Howard University students discussed necessary procedures for campus protests in response to the Israel-Gaza war, and in 2025, a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus drew police presence and scrutiny from the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968, 2024, 2025 |
| Number of Protesters | 1000 |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Location | Administration Building, The Yard |
| Reason | To demand African American history courses, student discipline reforms, and changes to Howard's identity as a Black university |
| Response | Police presence, dismissal notices, disciplinary consequences |
| University Policy | Free speech is permitted as long as it complies with university regulations |
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What You'll Learn
- Students protesting against pro-Palestinian demonstrators unaffiliated with the university
- Students demanding African American history courses
- Students protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing
- Students seizing the Administration Building
- Students challenging Howard University's identity as a Black university
Students protesting against pro-Palestinian demonstrators unaffiliated with the university
Howard University, a historically black university, has a rich history of student-led activism. In 1968, more than 1,000 students occupied the administration building for five days, demanding African American history courses and reforms in student discipline. In 2018, students staged a nine-day sit-in protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing.
In April 2025, a demonstration on Howard University's yard drew police presence due to pro-Palestinian protesters gathering on campus. The protesters were unaffiliated with the university, as claimed by Howard's Office of University Communications (OUC). The demonstration was organized by a group called The People's University, which released a statement saying that the goals of the demonstration included protecting international students and ethnic studies programs.
The presence of unaffiliated protesters on campus sparked concern among Howard University students who worried about the potential consequences of federal scrutiny. Jay Jones, the executive president of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), acknowledged the students' right to gather and organize but emphasized the need to be cautious in the face of potential government surveillance.
Howard University has a policy of permitting free speech and peaceful assembly on campus, as long as it complies with university regulations. Dr. Cynthia Evers, vice president of Student Affairs, stated that Howard University supports "peaceful and constructive forms of student protest as a fundamental aspect of free speech and expressions." However, the university also spoke out against the pro-Palestinian demonstrators for violating their Peaceful Assembly Policy and bringing non-Howard affiliates onto campus.
Amid the Israel-Gaza war, many private colleges and universities have changed their protest policies, limiting on-campus demonstrations for students. Experts provide guidelines for student protesters to make their protests more effective and safer, such as seeking help from faculty members who can provide a buffer from potential violence.
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Students demanding African American history courses
In March 1968, Howard University students seized the Administration Building, demanding the inclusion of African American history courses in the curriculum. This protest was the culmination of months of tension between the student body and the administration, with students feeling that the university was reluctant to change and embrace the Black Power movement that was taking hold across the nation. Led by former students of Professor Nathan Hare, who had led the University's Black Power Committee, the students insisted on an emphasis on African-American history and culture in the curriculum.
The protest, which involved about 1,000 students, began with a rally in front of Douglass Hall, followed by a sit-in at President James Nabrit's office. The activists wanted Nabrit's resignation, a judiciary system for student discipline, and the dropping of charges against 39 students who had protested three weeks earlier. This protest was a significant event in Howard University's history and a testament to the students' dedication to fighting for racial justice and a true representation of the Black community in their education.
The students' demands for African American history courses reflected a broader sentiment among the student body that Howard University, as a historically Black institution, should transform the way it embraced and related to the larger Black community. They believed that the university's curriculum needed to be more inclusive of African-American history and culture, ensuring that students had a more comprehensive understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing impact.
The inclusion of African American history courses was seen as essential to empowering students with knowledge and critical thinking skills to actively participate in social change and racial justice movements. By learning about the grassroots history of the Civil Rights Movement, students could better understand the ongoing struggles for equality and justice. This demand for a more inclusive and representative curriculum was a powerful statement of the students' commitment to their education and their desire to create a more equitable future.
Howard University has a rich history of student-led activism, with students unafraid to challenge power structures and express their opinions. The university supports peaceful and constructive forms of student protest, recognising the importance of free speech and expression. The administration's willingness to engage with the students' demands and work towards systemic change demonstrates the potential for positive transformation through activism.
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Students protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing
Howard University, a historically Black research institution, has a rich history of student-led activism. In 1968, over a thousand students occupied the administration building for five days, demanding African American history courses and reforms in student discipline policies.
In 2018, students at Howard University staged a nine-day sit-in, protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing. This protest reflected the students' concerns about the university's handling of financial aid and their dissatisfaction with the available housing options on campus.
Financial aid mismanagement can encompass a range of issues, such as delays in disbursements, errors in awarding aid, or a lack of transparency in the financial aid process. Inadequate housing, on the other hand, may refer to issues like insufficient housing options, substandard living conditions, or a lack of maintenance and support from the university.
Students may have also raised concerns about the affordability of housing, especially in light of rising costs of living and increasing student debt. Additionally, the protest could have been a response to a lack of communication or inaction from the university administration regarding these issues.
Protests are a powerful tool for students to express their concerns and demand change. Howard University has a history of supporting peaceful and constructive forms of student protest, recognising it as a fundamental aspect of free speech and expression. The university's policies allow for campus-wide protests, provided they comply with university regulations and do not disrupt ordinary activities.
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Students seizing the Administration Building
On March 19, 1968, Howard University students seized the Administration Building, demanding changes to the discipline policy and the addition of courses in African American history. This protest was the culmination of months of tension between the student body and the administration, with students feeling that the university was reluctant to change and unwilling to adjust to the culture and politics of the time.
The protest began with a rally of about 1,000 students in front of Douglass Hall. A group of students then entered the Administration Building, also known as the "A" Building, and conducted a sit-in at President James Nabrit's office, demanding his resignation. They insisted on two conditions for vacating the building: changes in the discipline policy and the introduction of courses on African American history and culture. This protest was the most extensive student protest at Howard University up to that point, with students occupying the building for five days.
The protest was sparked by a fundamental question about Howard University's identity as a historically Black university. Students felt that the university was not doing enough to embrace and relate to the larger Black community and demanded economic and political change. They believed that the university should exist for the benefit of the Black community and not just to provide a "liberal education". The protest was influenced by sociology professor Nathan Hare, who had led the University's Black Power Committee until his dismissal in 1967.
During the protest, students filled their days with readings related to the Black revolution, such as "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", as well as speeches and card games. They slept in the building, huddling in whatever floor space they could find with blankets and pillows. A sign reading "CLOSED" was hung from the building's entrance window. The protest caused everyday business at Howard University to come to a halt.
Howard University has a history of supporting student-led activism and free speech. University regulations state that "Howard University supports peaceful and constructive forms of student protest as a fundamental aspect of free speech and expressions". Students are allowed to exercise their rights to free speech and expression anywhere on campus as long as they comply with other university policies.
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Students challenging Howard University's identity as a Black university
Howard University, a historically Black university founded in 1867, has a rich history of student-led activism. In March 1968, Howard University students seized the Administration Building, demanding changes to the discipline policy and the addition of courses in African American history. This protest was a response to months of tension between the student body and the administration, with students feeling that the university was reluctant to embrace the cultural changes occurring during the Black Power movement of the 1960s.
During the 1967-1968 school year, students challenged Howard University's identity as a Black university, arguing that it needed to transform the way it related to the larger Black community. They believed that Howard should exist for the benefit of the Black community and be actively involved in driving economic and political change. This sentiment was influenced by sociology professor Nathan Hare, who led the University's Black Power Committee until his dismissal in 1967. Hare and his students protested against what they perceived as a ""whitewashing" curriculum, demanding that the university offer courses in African American history and culture.
In more recent times, Howard University has continued to witness student-led protests. In 2018, students staged a nine-day sit-in, protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing. The university's policies generally allow for campus-wide protests, with free speech permitted as long as it complies with university regulations. However, a demonstration in April 2025 drew police presence due to concerns about the involvement of non-university affiliates and potential consequences of federal scrutiny.
Howard University's history of student activism demonstrates a commitment to challenging power structures and advocating for social change. The university has been a platform for students to express their views and drive transformation, reflecting its longstanding role as an institution serving the Black community.
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Frequently asked questions
Students at Howard University have a rich history of activism and a right to free speech and assembly. In 1968, students protested against the administration, demanding African American history courses and reforms in student discipline. In 2025, students protested against disciplinary consequences, and in 2024, they protested against the Israel-Gaza war.
On March 19, 1968, about 1,000 students at Howard University seized the Administration Building, demanding changes in the discipline policy and the addition of courses in African American history. This protest was a response to the university's reluctance to change and a desire to embrace the larger black community.
In 2025, students at Howard University held a demonstration on the university yard that drew police presence. The protest was in response to how the university handled a previous protest and the potential for disciplinary consequences for the students involved.
In 2024, students at Howard University protested against the Israel-Gaza war, as part of campus-wide protests that were taking place at universities across America.
Yes, in 1967, students protested against the Vietnam War draft and in 2018, students staged a nine-day sit-in protesting financial aid mismanagement and inadequate housing.
