The Galpin Takeover and Call In Collection highlights the history of the 1989 Galpin Takeover and, separately, the 2018 Galpin Call In. Both events were student-led protests responding to the inequitable treatment of marginalized groups on campus.
The Galpin Takeover of 1989 took place after a series of racially based incidents against black students occurred at the College of Wooster. Students protested, in particular, the institution's lack of response after a campus security officer suggested a black student be lynched. On April 1st 1989, over 200 Wooster students gathered in Lowry Center. Two weeks later, four students broke into Galpin hall in response to the College’s lack of structural and administrative support for its black students and took over the building in what became known as the “Galpin Takeover.” The students laid out eleven demands, five of which were the driving forces behind the students’ movement. They demanded that the College do the following:
1. Divest in companies with ties to South Africa
2. Provide a competitive salary for the Minority Admissions Counselor
3. Add a black counselor/psychologist to the counseling staff
4. Increase space for the Director of Black Student Affairs
5. Express administrative support of a black studies requirement
Almost 30 years later, in the spring semester of 2018, roughly 300 students sat in Galpin Hall to protest the inadequacies of administrative support of minority groups.
Please note that this collection is in process and is being actively built.
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Galpin Takeover Documentary
This documentary includes clips from three interviewees, textual data, and photos from the day of the 1989 Galpin Takeover. The video begins with part of Antwan Chambers interview. It then gives textual information regarding the Takeover. The six demands are shown next. Current students and faculty were interviewed. The first question being, "What was the atmosphere leading up to the take-over nationally and at Wooster?" Deja Moss, Ronald Hustwit, and Antwan Chambers' responses are included in answering the question. Hustwit speaks on Mark Goodman and Joe Kennedy's role in leading the Takeover and meeting with President Copeland. The interviewee's then respond to the question, "What was the purpose of the Takeover itself and how did it play out?" The sit-in lasted 13.5 hours and it was a peaceful protest. President Copeland met the most importnad demands, and changes were soon seen. Hustwit, Chambers, and Moss respond to: "What were the immediate and long term outcomes of the Takeover?" and "What is some advice you would give to current Wooster students about facing adversity?"
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Galpin Takeover Interview: Antwan Chambers
This video overviews the 1989 Galpin Takeover. Antwan Chambers is asked first by the interviewer to describe a timeline of the series of events in his own perspective. The planning for the event started taking place in the spring semester of 1989. The next question asked was concerning the atmosphere of campus leading up to the Takeover. Chambers then answers to how the college did with responding to the Galpin Takeover. The changes that were made that have lasted until the day of this interview are discussed next like the student organizations. The takeaway message/synthesis that Chambers received from this event is explained--you have to go beyond traditional means to make a difference. What you are experiencing now is not the end nor the beginning are Chambers closing remarks.
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Galpin Takeover Interview: Deja Moss
This video is an interview with Deja Moss regarding the 1989 Galpin Takeover. The interview starts off asking about the timeline of the event. Moss explains that the students wanted the institution to respond to the nationwide occurrences of racism. The atmosphere of campus during this time was very tense, and those that were going to be involved were worried they'd be arrested, kicked out, or lose their scholarships. Following the Takeover, students met with President Copeland to discuss the needs/demands. Moss discusses the lack of counselors, not allowing students the ability to take advantage of that resource. "We want to be heard," this is what Moss begins her conclusion with. Moss's message of advice is to not be afraid to stand up for yourselves, and you are not alone.
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Galpin Takeover Interview: Ronald Hustwit
Ronald Hustwit is interviewed in this video about the 1989 Galpin Takeover. Mark Goodman and Joe Kennedy are given as the two primary people involved in organization. Hustwit discusses a fight that broke out at in intermural basketball game and the security officer who said something highly problematic about a black student. The six demands that were made by the students are listed off including promoting diversity, recruiting a black counselor, and not penalized for the process. Hustwit believes that all these demands were eventually fulfilled. Hustwit says that the Takeover was an attempt to get public recognition of the fight. Hustwit did not know that there would be a Takeover that specific day, even though Goodman was his advisee, until it was in progress. The students had planned the event independently of any faculty advisors. President Copeland called an emergency faculty meeting to get their opinion on what to do regarding the Takeover.