Paul Gray and students at a Task Force meeting, 1971

Task Force on Educational Opportunity

In 1968, in response to recommendations from the newly created Black Students' Union, MIT started minority recruitment activities. Associate Provost Paul E. Gray '54, SM '55, ScD '60 (MIT president, 1980-90) and others created the Task Force on Educational Opportunity. Gray served as the Task Force chairman from 1968 to 1973. Among other efforts, MIT hired an assistant director of admissions and worked with him to actively recruit minority students. The Institute also began the landmark summer program Project Interphase, staffed largely by students of color.