Brief Historical Synopsis
In 1968 Black students staged a sit-in at UW President Odegaard's office demanding a minority educational program. The aim was to recruit, admit, retain, educate and graduate minority students. It included the provision of financial assistance and the necessary programs that would ensure success at the University of Washington.

In 1970, the Special Education Program Opportunity Program (SEP) was renamed Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) by vice President for Minority Affairs Samuel Kelly. In 1971 the Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) facility was proposed. Presently, the ECC is one of the many programs sponsored and overseen by the Office of Minority Affairs.

The Ethnic Cultural Center that was prompted by the students' demands for greater diversity in the educational programing opened in 1972. When it opened, the ECC/T was the first center of its kind in the nation-it was the first building owned by a university to serve primarily people of color.

For 25 years, the ECC/T have been at the center of the university's effort to encourage both cross-cultural exchange and learning beyond the classroom.

2001 Ethnic Cultural Center Renovation Project>>