Unification was a major topic at the Black Student Union meeting Wednesday night.

The BSU faculty is urging NIU black students to be become involved and participate in their long list of events.

“We want to come back to a unified state,” said BSU president Samuel Davis. “Get people to understand and break stereotypes.”

Today, Chill Fest will be taking place at 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Black Studies and will include food and games.

“We do have fun, there are different events,” Davis said. “But we do have political stand and we do mean something.”

In response to the incident in Jena, Louisana, the Black Student Union announced that they will help sponsor a NAACP Jena 6 rally that will take place at NIU.

Nooses were hanged on a “white only” tree in Jena, La. after six black students wanted to sit under the tree.

When a fight broke out between students, one black student was arrested and is now being tried for attempted murder.

The event will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Sept. 19, at Grant North. There will be a petition along with a fundraiser. Proceeds will help the mother of the black students get a good lawyer.

“Everyone should put a foot forward,” said faculty adviser Derrick Smith. “It’s easy not to do nothing.”

This year, the BSU will be celebrating its 35th anniversary at the Night of Black Elegance on Oct. 6.

Davis reminded black students of their roots and why the Black Student Union was founded at that time.

“We want to bring back the remembrance of who were, who we are and who we want to be in the future.” Davis said.

BSU was founded in the 1970s when blacks started to understand the power they had, Smith said.

In order to become a member, those interested must be a paying NIU student, willing to join committees and come to meetings.

“We’re talking about unification. You have power. It’s not numbers that make it work,” Davis said.

This Saturday, BSU will also be doing community service at the Pine Acre nursing home.

Those interested will meet at Stevenson North at 9:15 a.m.