 Student activism became common in the 1960s , reflecting the various social and political events of the time period . Vietnam War protests were common in downtown Bowling Green and on campus . In 1969 , a Black Student Union formed to encourage unity , scholarship , leadership , culture and political awareness of African Americans students . The majority of student activism at BGSU was peaceful and Bowling Green was the only public college or university in Ohio to remain open in the spring of 1970 , following the Kent State shootings during anti @-@ war protests . 
