Introduction
This guide suggests useful resources for studying civil rights issues and the history and impact of student movements and/or campus protest. It focuses on resources available through Western Libraries' Heritage Resources programs and the Western Libraries. Please contact us or the Western Libraries' Research Desk if you have questions or need assistance finding more information.
Related Library Guides
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Library Guides (History Topics)Guides created by Western Libraries' staff on a variety of different topics.
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Archival Resources on Women's HistoryWestern Libraries' guide to resources available at WWU, with links to other online and archival collections.
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Researching LGBTQ H(i/er)storyWestern Libraries' guide to resources available at WWU, with links to other online and archival collections.
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Research and Resources on Northwest Native American and Tribal HistoryWestern Libraries guide.
Databases
Western Libraries provides access to a wide variety of article and research databases (a WWU log-in is required). Follow this link to the Libraries' online guide to Databases A-Z and/or ask staff at the Libraries' Research Desk for assistance.
Searching Western Libraries' Catalog
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Bellingham HeraldThis is the best source for a day by day account of what was going on locally. It is available in microfilm from May 1904 to the present.
You may find it useful to search the catalog (Onesearch) using some of the following subject search terms (you can also narrow results by adding a geographic location, e.g. Student movements--Washington (State) OR Student movements--Washington (State)--Bellingham):
- Antinuclear movement
- Black power
- Civil rights movements
- College students
- College students--Political activity
- Conscientious Objectors
- Feminism
- Gay college students
- New Left
- Peace movements
- Protest Movements
- Race relations
- Radicalism
- Student movements
- Student protesters
- Vietnam War, 1961-1974
- Women's rights
Consult with your instructors about recommended readings and ask us if you need help finding a specific title or type of resource. Here are some select titles relevant to local campus history:
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Northwest PassageAlternative newspaper published in Bellingham and later, Seattle, Washington, circa 1969-1986. Additional copies available at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies.
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Western FrontCall Number: LD5778.W475, Fall 1967-Publication Date: 1967-This is the print version of The Western Front and is available as part of the Libraries circulating collection on Haggard 3 in the oversize section, or, in Special Collections, WL677.
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Western Washington University Student Newspapers [Online Digital Collection]Student newspaper and a rich source of information re: campus history.
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Brief History of Western Washington State College byCall Number: LD5773.B74 1972Publication Date: 1972This is available in Special Collections and provides a brief timeline and some enrollment information up through 1972.
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[Faculty Senate meeting minutes & agenda] byCall Number: LD5765.8.F3Publication Date: 1910-1979Available in print and microfilm in Special Collections, WL 677.
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Recollections of Herbert R. Hearsey: an autobiographical account byCall Number: Z720.H44 A3 2003Publication Date: 2003This is available both in Special Collections, WL677, and for check-out from the Circulating Collection, Wilson 5E. This is the memoirs of a faculty member who retired in 1974 just as things were calming down.
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Western at 75 byCall Number: LD5773.H4Publication Date: 1974This is available in both Special Collections, WL677, and for check-out in the Circulating Collection, Wilson 4W.
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Western Washington University: One Hundred Years. byCall Number: LD5773.S39 1999Publication Date: 1999This is available in both Special Collections, WL677, and for check-out in the Circulating Collection, Wilson 2E-Oversize. It's a nice coffee table book but it provides background and features photos of protests.
Miscellaneous Items
Vertical File Folders
We have vertifical files on various topics related to Campus History. For students researching protests on campus we have two folders:
- Student protests prior to 1979
- Student protests since 1980
We also have files for each of the presidents which may include information about student movements during their administration
Viet Cong Flag
We have the flag that was made and showcased in front of the Viking Union Building in March 1969 along with an accompanying folder of information describing the incident and administrations response.
Heritage Resources
University Archives and Records Center, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-3124
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-7534
Heritage Resources
OUR MISSION
Western Libraries Heritage Resources provides for responsible stewardship of and access to unique and archival resources in support of teaching, learning and resarch at Western Washington University and beyond. The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Special Collections, and University Archives and Records Management work together to document the culture and history of Western, the local community and Pacific Northwest region, and to promote public and scholarly access to holdings.
Campus Connections
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WWU Associated StudentsLinks to information about present-day student clubs on Western's campus.
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Board of Trustees Minutes 1920-2010The Western Washington University Board of Trustees Minutes digital collection contains searchable documents from 1920 to 2010.