Iowa State and the Black Cultural Center have signed an agreement to formally acknowledge ties between the center and the university.

ISU President Martin Jischke and BCC President Allan Nosworthy have signed a 10-year, 10-page agreement establishing the relationship.

The center, located at 517 Welch Ave., was founded in 1969 as a private organization to serve university students and employees.

Under the new agreement, it will continue to host events, meetings and discussions to further the interests of the African-American community at ISU.

Rafael Rodriguez, director of Minority Student Affairs, said the agreement formalized a relationship that has always existed. He said clarification of the relationship makes it easier for both entities to work together.

Rodriguez had “kind of floundered” as of late.

He said preliminary discussions were held to assess the situation and what could be done to bring the two groups together.

“It provides benefits for both the BCC Inc. as well as the university,” he said.

The university and the BCC Board of Directors had been in the final agreement process since March.

According to the agreement, the BCC shall be a place for ISU students and employees to provide information, resources, opportunities and programs that promote understanding among differing cultures.

John Anderson, interim director of university relations, said anything that can be done to strengthen resources for diversity will help the community as a whole.

The BCC will maintain relations with the African American Studies Program, the ISU Black Faculty and Staff Association, other African-American student organizations and the Minority Student Affairs director.

The Minority Student Affairs director will serve as an ex-officio member for the BCC Board.

Beyond the recognition of mutual support, the agreement states that the university will give a minimum of $40,000 to the BCC to renovate and bring the building up to fire codes.

For years, the center has been in dire need of repairs.

University officials said renovations will begin shortly.

The goals is to have the building in shape for the February conference on Black Student Government being held here.

Rodriguez said the formalization of the agreement allowed the university to process some funding to upgrade the facility.

The agreement calls for the formation of a coordinating committee. This committee will meet on a regular basis to assess how the center is being run and how the programs are benefiting both the university and the BCC.

The university will also continue to pay for utility bills, property assessment costs and insurance costs of the Welch Avenue building. Utilities for the building cost about $2,500 per year and property assessments are about $165 per year.

The 10-year agreement will be automatically renewed every five years unless the BCC or ISU gives a notice one year ahead of time to terminate the agreement.