This organization was designed to show some of the accomplishments of African American students and people as it related to a responsible student that is trying to contribute to the betterment of society.  The BSU may be a student's first exposure to socio-political issues.  The universities have to produce the next generation of thinkers to move the American society in the proper direction.  The BSU is also a place where African American students can speak our minds in any way we feel to address a problem or a need.  The BSU is the voice of the African-American student body.  Through elections, time and experience we choose our officers, governing policies and events.  It may not be important to the student body as whole initially to invite a John Henrick Clark, Ivan Van Sertima, Leonard Jeffries, Jesse Jackson, Carolyn Moseley Braun, Shirley Chisolm, Gendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, Betty Shabbazz, Dick Gregory or Louis Farrakhan, etc.  to the university or even know who they are.  Most African American students do not know the great scholars in their various fields.  It is important that we interact with those who are doing what we do, that are like us, and read what they say about the possibilities for us in these fields.  The Black Student Union sees this as a necessity, not a LUXURY!