Notre Dame of Maryland University Black Student Union records

In October 1981, Columns reported that “the name of the organization for black students has been changed from the Weusi Society to the Black Student Association.” The treasurer for the group noted that the purpose of the organization had also changed: while it still would strive “to create a sense of unity among the blacks and to provide a social life,” BSA also hoped that black students would “become closer to the rest of the college community.”

An undated BSA constitution states its purpose as “initiating concerns as well as fostering communication between students of African American descent and other persons on the campus; heighten the awareness of our African culture with the implementation of culturally uplifting programming and events.”

Over the years, BSA sponsored or produced a variety of events: trips to other campuses and organizations; fashion shows; an annual Student Recognition Banquet; Kwanzaa celebrations; and forums featuring speakers. In the 1990s, BSA also published a newsletter titled “Hope and Dreams.”

At some point, BSA changed its name to the Black Student Union (BSU). It is not possible from the Notre Dame archives to pinpoint the time of this change; the 2011-12 catalog still lists the name as Black Student Association. The Notre Dame website has the later name (2019).