Resistance Involving the LSA Building:

The LSA Building was fully refurbished in 2004. When these renovations were taking place, the “Dream Plaques” were removed and placed at the Bentley Historical Library. 

These “Dream Plaques” were removed and installed in a more historical setting due to extreme controversy surrounding the university's administration. This controversy began to develop due to a specific event that occurred involving an LSA sophomore at the university. There was tremendously racist graffiti painted on the door of this student’s dorm room. The graffiti then shortly after started to be illustrated throughout the entire campus for the majority of the students to see. This enraged and evoked emotions from many students causing them to begin to protest and strike. 

Another extremely controversial event took place during the 1960s. This event was known as the “Bookstore Controversy”. Over 3,000 students requested for the installment of a university-sponsored bookstore. However, on January 21, 1966, the Vice President of Student Affairs denied the request causing many students to protest outside of the LSA Building (which at the time was referred to as the Administration Building). Years progressed and nothing was yet to be accomplished. Therefore, in September of 1969, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) demanded that the Vice President approve the bookstore. The bookstore was finally approved, but student control was not allowed. This resulted in the SDS organized a take-over of the LSA Building, which caused 107 students to be arrested.

“Dream Plaques”:

The “Dream Plaques” that were once a component of the LSA Building were created in 1948 by Michigan sculptor Marshalls Fredericks. His bronze plaques represent youth and education. According to Michigan Today, these plaques also “possess a universality and humor that is timeless.” These compositions serve as a monument to the students and their abilities of conceiving and accomplishing great things. 

Controversy Involving the “Dream of the Young Girl and Dream of the Young Man”:

Fredericks’s “Dream of the Young Girl and Dream of the Young Man” plaque caused a great deal of controversy to arise. This controversy was mainly in regards to female discrimination across campus. A very angered student, Gloria Gladman, wrote a letter to the university’s president in 1970 expressing her feelings of disgust, anger, and isolation. She strongly believed that The University of Michigan knowingly discriminated against women. Gladman thought that there may be possible hope in fixing this horrific issue, until she came across Frederick’s sculpture. After viewing the plaque, she wrote in her letter, “DON’T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE with a patterning attitude”. This plaque in specific only heightened women's feelings of discrimination. 

End Result:

Since 1968, when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, civil rights activism has played a vital role in student social justice activities. The Black Student Union of the university organized a historic sit-in of over 100 individuals in the LSA Building, forcing the university to establish an African American Studies department and pledge to enroll 10 percent Black students. 

Works Cited:

Cohn, Timothy. “How Did We Get Here? Six Decades of Challenging the University’s Administration.” The Michigan Daily, 20 Apr. 2021, www.michigandaily.com/statement/kneeling-history/. 

University of Michigan History - Bentley Historical Library, bentley.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/University_of_Michigan_History_Subject_Guide.pdf. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023. 

“Remains of the Day.” Michigan Today, michigantoday.umich.edu/galleries/remains-of-the-day/. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023. 

“Document 21A: Gloria E. Gladman to President R. Fleming, 31 October 1970, U-M President’s Office (1967- ), Topical Files, 1970-1971, Box 24, Women (Discrimination/Hew) Folder, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.” Document 21A: Gloria E. Gladman to President R. Fleming, 31 October 1970 | Alexander Street Documents, documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1005577086. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.