The Council held together more by immediate grief than actual concern, soon ceased to exist functionally. Black students then took it upon themselves to form their own group to coordinate and promote the affairs of Blacks on campus.

The Council, which lasted a year, was then replaced by The Afro-American Student union (TAASU) in the spring of 1969. Henry Sawr served as the first president until the spring of 1970. Following Sawr's term TAASU reevaluated itself and moved to a committee-type governing body. This governing body was made up of individual black students and representatives from black groups on campus. As a working unit, this governing body lasted until the Fall of 1970, when TAASU changed to the executive council format, comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1988, the office of Public Relations was added and it is these five offices that make up the present day TAASU executive council.

In 1988, the organization's name was changed from 'The Afro-American Student Union' to 'The African-American Student Union'. Members felt that the term "African-American" would better define who they were and signify their ancestral link with the African Continent, its people and its culture.