Items

• Tiger Paper, October 1973

  This issue of the Tiger Paper explores the effects of financial aid reductions alongside CUNY's "Open Admission" policy, details class registration troubles at BMCC, and advocates for the boycott of "scab products."The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, November 1971

  This inaugural issue of the Tiger Paper takes on the BMCC administration over mismangement of student fees and interference in student government. It also contains stories on BMCC's newly-inaugurated childcare center, a feature on the travails of BMCC secretaries, and commentary on the Attica prison rebellion of two months prior.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them. 
• Tiger Paper, May 1974

  This issue of the Tiger Paper leads with a blistering rebuke of a New York Times investigation into mismanagement at BMCC, one which Tiger Paper editors claim paints a falsely damning picture of students at the college. Additional topics covered include a newly implemented 6-semester limit for obtaining a degree, student government election irregularities, and other news events around the U.S. and the globe.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, March 1974

  This issue of the Tiger Paper exposes what the editors consider a sham testimonial dinner for BMCC President Edgar Draper. Other articles of interest include an extended interview with a BMCC student who served in Vietnam, the detailing of "rigged" student elections, and commentary on the ongoing Vietnam War and energy crisis. The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, January 1974

  This edition of the Tiger Paper protests the impending firing of 1,700 adjunct faculty and the consequent reduction in the number of classes offered at BMCC. "Such a move spells disaster for Open Admissions," the paper's editors write.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, February 1973

  This special issue of the Tiger Paper addresses the ongoing "struggle" over control of the Black Studies program at BMCC. The paper's editors, along with a group of radical students, supported the poet and educator Sonia Sanchez for the role of department chair. Sanchez, who is also interviewed in this issue, sought to implement an expansive vision for Black Studies at the college, one that would transcend the typical goals of academic departments.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, April 1973

  This issue of the Tiger Paper leads with a story describing student demonstrations against the "threatened" implementation of tuition across CUNY campuses. It also features articles centered around "International Women's Day" and the Vietnam War, as well as a piece on late grade reporting at BMCC.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• Tiger Paper, April 1972

  This edition of the Tiger Paper includes: interviews with BMCC students who were veterans of the Vietnam War, criticism of the college's registration process, a front page article detailing the firing of a professor, and an interview regarding recent developments in China.The Tiger Paper, which billed itself as "Manhattan Community College's only underground newspaper," was published between 1971 and 1974 by a group of radical faculty members at BMCC. The paper, whose name was a play on the quip of Mao Tse-tung that "U.S. imperialism is a paper tiger," addressed struggles both internal and external to the college while emphasizing the connections between them.
• The Scorpion, April 3, 1974

  In 1974 a new group called Students for Better Government took over control of the Borough of Manhattan Community College student government from the Third World Coalition. The new leadership criticized both the Third World Coalition and their faculty allies, the editors of the Tiger Paper, from a black nationalist perspective.
• "Testimonial Dinner: Opposition Grows "

  This leaflet, published by an ad hoc committee of Professional Staff Congress members at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), denounces a plan by then-BMCC President Edgar Draper to hold a testimonial dinner to himself at the Americana hotel (today's Sheraton New York Times Square). The leaflet urges faculty to boycott and picket the event.
• Prometheus, November 13, 1970

  This issue of Prometheus, BMCC's student newspaper, was the first published after the Third World Coalition assumed control of the student government; it leads with a story on the appointment of Edgar Draper as president of the college. The previous president, Murray Block, had resigned in May 1970 following the student strike and building takeovers of that month.
• Prometheus, February 10, 1971

  This issue of Prometheus, BMCC's student newspaper, is dubbed by its editors as "Liberated" Prometheus, a reflection of the editorial sensibilities of the new student government dominated by the Third World Coalition, a group of black and Latino/a students involved in a number of radical political struggles.
• Prometheus, January 26, 1972

  This issue of Prometheus, BMCC's student newspaper, reflects the evolving editorial concerns of the increasingly black and Latino/a student body. The paper contains articles on university funding, drug abuse, corporate enablers of apartheid in South Africa, the struggles of Puerto Rican political prisoners and the imprisoned radical Angela Davis, as well as articles on Portugeuse colonies in Africa and the economics of Richard Nixon's recent wage-price freeze.
• "College Head Here Quits After Strife"

  This New York Times article reports the resignation of Borough of Manhattan Community College president Murray Block following May 1970 demonstrations that ended with students and faculty occupying the college's buildings. Block's replacement was Edgar Draper, with whom politicized students and faculty would similarly clash.
• "Accountability: A Reply to the Deans' Letter"

  This leaflet, published by an ad hoc committee of Professional Staff Congress members at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), defends the committee's actions from critics in the CUNY administration and challenges those critics to an open debate.
• LaGuardia Community College - An Assessment of the Needs of the Western Queens Community, 1980

  LaGuardia Community College opened in 1971 but in order to expand outreach and continuing education with the communities it served, this needs assessment of various communities in western Queens was undertaken in 1980. This study was initiated by Dean Augusta (Gussie) Kappner and implemented by Associate Dean and Project Director Fern Khan, and Research Assistant Edithanne Kane.
• Joe Shenker, founding president of LaGuardia with the first group of students who were paraprofessionals

  In 1970, Joseph Shenker was appointed president of what was then still called "Community College Number Nine," which would soon become LaGuardia Community College. Still in his twenties, Shenker brought a youthful optimism and a spirit of experimentation to the college that was reflected in the faculty hired and the programs offered. This informal photo, dated 1971, shows Shenker with the first students admitted to LaGuardia. These students were paraprofessionals from NYC public schools.
• Celebration for the first group of LaGuardia Community College paraprofessional students , May 1971

  Fern Khan (at center of photo) and her students who were the first group of students to enroll at LaGuardia. These students were paraprofessionals employed by the Board of Education. The program was funded following an agreement between the United Federation of Teachers union and the Board of Education as a Career Ladder program to move paraprofessionals into teaching or social work.
• People's Handbook: Manhattan Community College, 1970-71

  This handbook, a precursor to today's "disorientation" guides, offered incoming students a view of life at BMCC from the perspective of radicals in organizations that included the New University Conference, Third World Coalition, Night Students Association, and Women's Liberation. A self-published document  imbued with the irreverent spirit of its time, the People's Handbook collected pointed critiques of BMCC and CUNY administration and included drawings, cartoons, and a list of resources for "surviving in the city." The book's cover reads "You have the power. The power is with the people," while the back cover declares: "Advocating the overthrow of the government is a crime. Overthrowing it is something else altogether—sometimes it is called a revolution."
• Professional Staff Congress: BMCC Chapter Newsletter, February 22, 1974

  This is an early newsletter from the Professional Staff Congress chapter at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). Dated February 24, 1974, the newsletter features an article attacking BMCC president Edgar Draper for using the school's resources to organize a testimonial dinner for himself. The Professional Staff Congress, the union which represents CUNY faculty and staff, was formed in 1972 from the merger of the Legislative Conference and the United Federation of College Teachers.
• Professional Staff Congress: BMCC Chapter Newsletter, March 8, 1974

  The Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the union which represents CUNY faculty and staff, was formed in 1973 from the merger of the Legislative Conference and the United Federation of College Teachers. This is an early newsletter from the PSC chapter at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), dated March 8, 1974. This issue urges faculty to become familiar with the union's grievance procedure and mocks the plans of BMCC president Edgar Draper to hold a testimonial dinner to himself at the Americana hotel.
• "Letter to Class of 1970"

  Sample Pittman was an Associate Dean of Students at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) during the early 1970s. He became known to politicized students and faculty as a hostile opponent of the Third World Coalition, the radical group that had assumed control of the student government. In this letter to the incoming freshman class, published in Prometheus, the BMCC student newspaper, Pittman warned new students of "increased militancy and social awareness on the part of many students at Manhattan Community College."
• Faculty Action, May 1976

  Published in May 1976, in this inaugural issue of Faculty Action, the lead story urges members of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) to reject a recent contract negotiated by union leadership with the city and state. The issue also presents the motivation behind the paper’s founding in its call for a mobilization of teachers in the face of budget cuts across the nation.  Faculty Action was a newspaper published by a group of radicals active on New York and New Jersey area campuses. The editors consistently advocated positions to the left of both CUNY administration and the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the union representing CUNY faculty, and maintained connections with the radical social movements of the day.
• Faculty Action, Fall 1977

  This issue of Faculty Action focuses on the Bakke case, in which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the policy of affirmative action in college admissions but ruled out the use of racial quotas. Writing before the decision was issued, the editors connect the effort to roll back expansive admissions policies to the economic crisis that engulfed the US during the 1970s.Faculty Action was a newspaper published by a group of radicals active on New York and New Jersey area campuses. The editors consistently advocated positions to the left of both CUNY administration and the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the union representing CUNY faculty, and maintained connections with the radical social movements of the day.
• MCC Strike Committee Bulletin #1

  The 1976 contract negotiations between the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) and the university occurred in the midst of the city's mid-1970s fiscal crisis. Radicals at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) formed a strike committee in order to urge the PSC to adopt a broader and more militant stance in the face of what they described as "an attack on higher education at CUNY." This bulletin details the extent of the budget cuts at BMCC and describes the committee's activities to date. In the end, no strike occurred.