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Board of Visitors Protest T-Shirt

 Collection
Identifier: Textile-2014-001

Scope and Contents

The t-shirt is blue with short sleeves, and small one inch slits on the side of the shirt. The front of the shirt has "Virginia Tech welcome to he 1950s" printed in black silk screened letters. There are two tags on the collar of the shirt. One tag reads "CLASSIC ELEMENTS." The second tag reads "XL 100% COTTON MADE IN LESOTHO DEPT NO 607 EN 15099 CARE SEE REVERSE" on one side and "MACHINE WASH WITH SIMILAR COLORS DO NOT BLEACH TUMBLE DRY LOW WARM IRON IF NEEDED FS-T96-70" on the reverse side. Condtion of the t-shirt is good, minor stains near shoulders.

Dates

  • 2003

Creator

Language of Materials

The material in this collection is in English.

Condition Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication.

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Administrative Historical Note

The t-shirt was created by Laury Ward. In March 2003, the Board of Visitors eliminated Virginia Tech's affirmative action hiring practices for hiring and admissions, removed sexual orientation from Virginia Tech's non-discrimination policy, and passed a resolution barring anyone who had "participated in illegal acts of domestic violence and/or terrorism" from holding a meeting on campus unless he or she obtained permission from the president. Laury Ward was an undergraduate senior in classical studies, philosophy, and psychology; Womanspace co-ordinator and treasurer; and Take Back the Night co-ordinator and facilitator.

T-shirts were given away for free at the March 13, 2003 protest of Board of Visitor actions.

Extent

0.2 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Abstract

The t-shirt is blue with short sleeves, and small one inch slits on the side of the shirt. The front of the shirt has "Virginia Tech welcome to he 1950s" printed in black silk screened letters.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired by Special Collection and University Archives Prior to 2014.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Board of Visitors Protest T-Shirt by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William H. Byrne VPI Cadet Cape was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2018.

Title
Board of Visitors Protest T-Shirt, 2003
Status
Completed
Author
Aly Diemel, Volunteer, and Special Collections and University Archives Staff
Date
2025 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308