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 .

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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.

Condition Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Board of Visitors Protest T-Shirt, 2003, Textile-2014-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

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

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.

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.

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Record Group 1
• Student movements
• Textiles (visual works)
• University History
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)

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/ ).