Initial Agreement to Compliance

"Assurance of Compliance"

Letter from Glenn T. Seaborg to George M. Modlin

Letter from Glenn T. Seaborg to President Modlin

Assurance of Compliance

In 1966, the University of Richmond’s President George M. Modlin received a letter from the federal government’s Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). The letter from Glenn T. Seaborg stated the University would comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights act of 1964 and all requirements imposed by the Regulation of HEW. The University was to agree to not exclude participation, deny benefits, or discriminate on the ground of race, color, or national origin under any program of activity for which the University was receiving federal funding or real property. This assurance was binding on the University, its successors, transferees, signees, and the person whose signatures appear on the signature portion of the letter. The letter was signed by President Modlin.

"Letter from David S. Seeley to George M. Modlin"

Seeley Letter

A little less than a month later, Modlin received a letter from David S. Seeley, the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). The letter acknowledged the receipt of Modlin’s signature on the Form HEW-441, Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Regulation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Modlin’s signature on the form implied that the University would comply with the regulations of the Civil Rights Act and HEW and work to integrate the University. This signing was a milestone, as the University had never had a black student on its main campus before this. Now, the University would have to not only not discriminate against black students in terms of admission, but make efforts to recruit black students as well as other students of color.