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Southern University History

Southern University and A&M College had its beginning in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1880 when a group of Black politicians, petitioned the State Constitutional Convention to establish a school of higher learning for "colored" people. As a result of this petition, Southern University came into existence on April 10, 1880, by the passage of ACT 87 of the Louisiana General Assembly. This was the date on which funds were appropriated by the State of Louisiana for the establishment of an institution of higher learning for African Americans.

Southern University first opened on March 7, 1881, in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Calliope Street. It remained there until 1883, when it was reorganized.

During this time, the University offered academic studies beginning with the primary grades and extending through high school, with some college-level work being offered. It also offered training in the job oriented disciplines of agriculture, home economics, printing, carpentry, and tinsmithing. The academic program was classical in nature, offering such liberal arts subjects as English, Latin, Greek, French, algebra, geometry, chemistry, physics, and music. The curriculum was divided into six departments: College, Normal, High School, Agriculture, Industrial Education, and Music.

A significant development in the history of the University was the passage of the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which provided for the establishment of an agricultural and mechanical department for people of color, with support from both the state and federal governments. The passage of the Second Morrill Act led to the reorganization of the University as a land-grant institution, with separate divisions for agriculture and mechanical arts.

The University remained in New Orleans until 1912, when Legislative Act 188 authorized its change of location from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. The University was reopened on the new site on March 9, 1914, under the presidency of Dr. J.S. Clark.

In the early 1940s, the University's curriculum was divided into eight divisions: Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Business Education, Education, Health and Physical Education, Home Economics, Mechanical Arts, and Music. The Law School was established in 1947.

During the 1970s, the Southern University System, with its own management Board of Supervisors, was established. The System consists of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge, Southern University Law Center, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University at Shreveport, and the Agricultural Extension Program.