Five Days in May: Student Unrest at Eastern Michigan University, 1966 to 1972
In the Fall of 2022, Matt Jones’s Oral History Techniques class conducted a set of interviews documenting the stories behind the student unrest on Eastern Michigan University’s campus from 1966-1972. Caught up in the Civil Rights Movement, anti-war protests, women’s liberation, fights for student rights, and a hometown serial killer, EMU found its place within the greater cultural shifts taking place on college campuses across the country. The narrators taking part in this project range from student activists, to administrators, to police officers, each providing a unique perspective in this story. Five Days in May reflects a period of time in EMU’s history where the campus made sure its voices were heard.
Oral Histories
Oral Histories recorded with former students, administrators, and police officers involved with student activism at EMU.
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Eastern Echo Photo Negatives, 1968-1970
Explore the University Archive's collection of digitized photo negatives from 1968 to 1970
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Supporting Documents
Explore the University Archive’s collection of former University President Harold E. Sponberg’s papers and underground student publications.
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Echo Staff Members A photograph depicting Eastern Echo student staff, including Margo Doble, and Arnie Rubin. -
Student Court A photograph of the student court, including supreme justice, Jan Kaulins. -
Tom Moors Photograph of former EMU student body president and creator of The Obsidian, Tom Moors. -
Sponberg Addressing the BSA, 2 A photograph depicting university president Harold Sponberg addressing the BSA. -
Sponberg Addressing the BSA, 1 A photograph depicting university president Harold Sponberg addressing the BSA. -
Second Coming Success at the Federal Court! A photograph depicting Frank Michels and others involved with the Second Coming rejoicing after winning their case at the courthouse in Detroit. -
Second Coming Trials, 2 A photograph depicting scenes from the Second Coming hearings. -
Frank Michels and Thomas Aceto A photograph of administrator Thomas Aceto and student Frank Michels taken at one of the Second Coming hearings. -
Second Coming Trials, 1 A photograph depicting scenes from the Second Coming hearings. -
Frank Michels at the Kangaroo Court A photograph of Frank Michels stating his case to the "kangaroo court," on the Second Coming. -
Student Court Meeting Photograph of the student court meeting. -
Outside the Second Coming Trials -
Frank Michels and Dave Barsky A photograph of Frank Michels and Dave Barsky after one of the Second Coming hearings. -
Student Strike Rally Photograph from a student strike rally, in 1970. -
"Strike!" Banner A photograph of students marching across campus with a handmade "Strike" banner. -
"Kent State, What's Next?" A photograph of a student wearing a handmade sign that says, "Kent State, what's next?" -
Student Rally Photograph from a student strike rally, in 1970. -
"Strike!" Shirt A photograph of a student wearing a handmade "Strike" shirt. -
Striking Across Campus Photograph of students on their strike on campus. -
Students Gathering Around Pierce Photograph depicting students gathered around Pierce Hall during the Regents meeting.