By: John David Barnett
Student Involvement Student Writer
Auburn University’s Black Student Union (BSU) is celebrating their monumental 40th anniversary in 2024. For four decades BSU has represented the interests and concerns of black students, worked to improve the campus environment and encouraged the involvement of black students in all campus activities. With engaging campus events, compelling weekly meetings and endless opportunities for professional development, BSU accomplishes those ideals while also ensuring a fun and engaging experiential learning environment for its members.
As a champion for Auburn’s black student population, and with this very special anniversary on the doorstep, BSU deserves all the attention and praise the Auburn Family has to offer. The organization has been a trailblazer in creating safe spaces for Auburn’s Black student population, and in turn has developed a thriving and supportive community within the organization’s walls.
BSU originated in 1984 as the Black Student Action Committee (BSAC), and their mission was similar to what it is now. A group of Black students created BSAC after recognizing the need for an organization through which the Black student body could voice their concerns.
Despite the name change, the foundations of BSU have held strong over the last 40 years. Senior Nylah Bluiett has been an integral part of BSU’s recent success. Bluiett, BSU’s President, offered some key insight into what it means to see such a milestone.
“This is a very special year just in general for Black students at Auburn considering this is the 60th year of integration at Auburn University,” Bluiett said. “And being able to mark the 40th year of BSU is just a landmark of this amazing organization and shows that 20 years after we integrated, we were able to come together and create community amongst each other as Black students.”
While BSU was founded in 1984, the journey began 20 years before that. 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of integration. In January 1964, Harold A. Franklin, Auburn’s first Black student, walked into Ralph Brown Draughn Library to register for his graduate level courses. This marked the end of segregation at Auburn, and the beginning of a passionate effort to create an inclusive and equitable environment for Auburn’s Black students. That’s an effort BSU has been a leading voice in for 40 years now.
“It’s just a very special year for us,” Bluiett said. “We are very grateful for the generations of people that have come through BSU before us.”
BSU has evolved a tremendous amount since 1984, growing in membership, recognition and scope of work. The current members of BSU have seen a noticeable evolution in the organization in a post-pandemic environment.
Bluiett discussed how BSU was in an “interesting place” during her freshman year because of the pandemic’s effect on social events. She emphasized how much of her – and her peers’ – time within the organization has been focused on building back both membership and operations as well as increasing awareness post-pandemic.
BSU has seen tremendous success in their attempt to reinvigorate their event schedule since 2020. Today, BSU is widely known for hosting a plethora of events and activities throughout campus focused on building community, fostering unity and creating educational opportunities.
Starting every semester strong, students will see BSU host their popular Breakfast 4 U! event. On the first day of each semester a host of friendly faces from BSU pass out Chic-Fil-A biscuits to students as they head to their first classes.
Another exciting and well-attended event is BSU’s Jazz and Poetry Night, held during Black History Month each year. This event is always a highlight of BSU’s spring programming, offering a chance for members and attendees to dress to the nines while enjoying a live band and delicious dinner.
That’s just the tip of the activity iceberg BSU showcases. These engaging events offer a chance for students that aren’t directly involved with BSU to connect with the organization. But for the students that want to strengthen their contributions to BSU, there are plenty of options.
BSU’s Cabinet is the organization’s governing body, allowing for students to be in the driver’s seat for matters like events and programming, cultural education, public relations and more. Freshman Committee, a sub-group within BSU, gives freshmen the opportunity to get involved with BSU in a more in-depth way via mentorship and hands-on programming experience. It’s this governance work that can make the biggest impact on BSU’s mission of being a voice for Black students at Auburn.
Finally, BSU holds a weekly meeting called General Assembly, held every Monday in the Melton Student Center 2222/2223 at 5:00pm.
“Anyone can come to those meetings,” Bluiett said. “It’s an open forum, and we have different themes every week with unique topics to discuss. It’s just a great way to build community.” There is a plethora of avenues for students to take as they look to get involved with the growing organization.
BSU’s rich history throughout their 40 years has stood strong, and there’s no end in sight. What has been a constant from BSU’s origin has been their practice. The practice of harboring a safe community space for Black students, while at the same time opening their arms for students from any background. Their motto, proudly displayed beneath BSU’s logo testifies that the organization is there to create “unity through education,” and BSU has done a fantastic job of displaying that for 40 years.
Visit BSU’s event page on AUinvolve to see the exciting things this organization has planned.
Photos: Elaina Eichorn | AUinvolve