Office of Special Projects

U of D  Tower - 1970

In 1968, the University of Detroit created the Special Projects Office to serve as an effective instrument in responding to its ever growing realization that educational opportunities must be equally available to all. The Special Projects Office stood as testimony to the University's commitment to relevant change and positive growth. The philosophy of the Office assumed the position that if our society is to survive, our youth, regardless of socio-economic circumstances, must be educationally prepared if they are to become productive, contributing members of society. Such a premise assumes that students previously considered unprepared to successfully negotiate the college curriculum can realistically escalate their operational level and improve their academic performance.

The Special Project Office worked to accomplish this goal through a number of specific projects:

• Project 100
• Independent Colleges Opportunity Program
• Project Fifty BA
• Urban Extension Program
• Urban Journalism Workshop
• President's Physical Fitness Program
• Aim High
• Pre-Professional Program
• Upward Bound
• Teacher Consortium Program
• Block Club Leadership Training Program

All these programs shared the following components:

1. specially designed curricula
2. development of personal esteem
3. auxiliary staff chosen not only for academic excellence but for positive attitudes toward students

In addition, the Special Projects Office contended that financial inability must not preclude young adults from the opportunity to acquire a college education or to continue with graduate studies. Therefore, to this end, financial assistance and counseling was an integral part of the services offered through the Office.