In the school year of '71-'72, 41 9th Street, Troy, NY was allocated to the RPI Student Union, for an indefinite period of time, to be used as a Black Cultural Center or "Black House" as the minority students of RPI affectionately call it. This deal was outlined in several documnets - spefically the original agreements made around 1972-1973. The RPI Union initially financed necessary safety changes and renovations to the property. These renovations totalled $18,000 and was planned with the assistance of the RPI Business Affairs Office. This amount was then amortized by the rental of approximately four student dormitory spaces over the course of ten year. Rental rates were tied to the rates for comparable Institute housing. As an annex to the RPI Union facilities, the Union was responsible for the policy and procedure concerning the buildings specific use. The Union was also responsible for the optional improvements as well as normal housekeeping and abnormal damages. Normal maintenance, heat, utilities, and liability/fire insurance were provided under normal Institute procedure. The Union recognized that all Institute facilities were subject to relocation in terms of overall needs. The Institute agreed to make reasonable effort to secure comparable facilities had it been necessary to relocate the facility for other use. By 1981, the original $18,000 was paid back to the RPI Union and the current Memorandum of Understanding had expired.