California State University, Long Beach, Center for Women's Studies records
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Lilace Hatayama,
December 2011; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
©2012 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Title: California State University, Long Beach, Center for Women's Studies records
Collection number: 1817
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2.0 linear ft.
(4 boxes)
Date: 1973-2008
Abstract: In the early 1970s a Women’s Studies Program began at California State University Long Beach. The program was considered a
controversial presence and complaints led to the firing of two faculty directors. This collection contains files covering
the Women’s Studies Program from its beginnings to the 1982 ACLU lawsuit against CSULB for the violation of rights. Materials
include memoranda, letters, reports, and newspaper clippings.
Physical Location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections. Charles E. Young Research Library. Los Angeles, California
90095-1575
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- 1. Women's Studies Program history
- 2. Women's Resource Center
- 3. Lawsuit against CSULB
Given the close relationship between the Program, the Resource Center and the lawsuit that emerged when both entities were
facing dissolution, there is some slight overlap in the collection with certain press clippings or memoranda sometimes appearing
more than once, in different series. For the most part these three series reflect the way the files were originally organized,
though within each series documents have been ordered chronologically.
Biography/History
The first Women’s Studies courses were taught at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) in the early 1970s. In 1974
the Center for Women’s Studies was formed by faculty and students with the goal of developing an interdisciplinary minor within
American Studies and to develop a women’s resource center on the CSULB campus. Around this same time, the Associated Students
opened a student-run Women’s Referral Center in the Student Union. The presence of feminism the CSULB campus was a controversial
issue in terms of some of the course content, as well as whether the referral center should be limited to referrals or become
a women’s resource center. In 1982 right-wing activists targeted the center and the program director, Dr. Sondra Hale, and
Women’s Center director, Denise Wheeler, were fired. In response 13 faculty member and three students filed a lawsuit with
the ACLU against CSULB, charging the University with violations of the First and Fourth Amendments.
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the
creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright
owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], California State University, Long Beach, Center for Women's Studies records (Collection 1817). UCLA
Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Wendy Griffin, August 7, 2008.
Processing note
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Lilace Hatayama,
December 2011.
Scope and Content
This collection contains files covering the Women’s Studies Program at CSULB from its beginnings to a 1982 lawsuit against
the university. Materials include memoranda, letters, reports, and newspaper clippings.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California State University, Long Beach. Center for Women's Studies--Archives.
California State University, Long Beach. Women's Resource Center.
Women's studies--California--Long Beach--Archival resources.
Women's Studies Program history.
1970-1997.
Scope and Content
This series is the most broad of the three series in this collection, covering everything from documents charting the department's
inception to administrative materials and files concerning curriculum formation, as well as complaints against the department
and clippings concerning the controversy.
Box 1, Folder 1
Program proposals and recommendations.
ca. 1970-1972.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda and reports
Box 1, Folder 2
Women's Studies Association constitution, bylaws and charter.
ca. 1972.
Scope and Content Note
Mimeographed copies
Box 1, Folder 3
"Womenpeople" newsletters.
1973-1977.
Box 1, Folder 4
Committee Against Sexism in Employment (C.A.S.E.) written materials.
1974.
Scope and Content Note
Response to KTTV presentation on CSULB hiring issue, bill of demands, letter from Department of Health, Education and Welfare
concerning alleged sex discrimination, fact sheet, directory and memoranda.
Box 1, Folder 5
Betty Brooks dismissal.
1974-1975.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, petition signatures, clippings, press releases concerning the dismissal of physical education instructor Betty
Brooks. See also, series 3, box 4, folder 1 for additional materials re: her employment.
Box 1, Folder 6
Linda Shaw reappointment.
1974-1975.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda concerning instructor Linda Shaw and her decision to exclude male students from a self-gynecological exam presentation.
Box 1, Folder 7
Memoranda concerning complaints.
1974-1980.
Scope and Content Note
Concerns complaints against the department as well as complaints by the department. Includes issues such as harassment of
an instructor, exclusion of male students, use of pornography in a fraternity rush flyer.
Box 1, Folder 8
Affirmative Action materials.
1975.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, newsletters, clippings, meeting minutes, letters and notes. Includes materials about Women's Studies College at
SUNY, copy of interim affirmative action plan for CSULB, academic senate statement and a 1974 ethnic survey.
Box 1, Folder 9
Women's Studies College at SUNY Buffalo statements.
1975.
Scope and Content Note
Mimeographed statements by the Women's College re: their abolishment.
Box 1, Folder 10
Women's Studies minor approval.
1975.
Scope and Content Note
Chancellor's letter and academic planning memo regarding the creation of a Women's Studies minor at CSULB.
Box 1, Folder 11
Women's Studies special major checklist and written objectives.
1976.
Scope and Content Note
A student's files containing checksheets, a letter, and written objectives regarding the study of women and Christianity.
Box 1, Folder 12
Program self study reports.
1976, 1984, 1988-1989.
Box 1, Folder 13
Announcements re: National Women's Studies Association founding convention in San Francisco.
1977.
Box 1, Folder 14
Evaluation materials.
1977-1980.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, advisory board update, program review, faculty evaluation, external evaluation report, enrollment numbers for 1977-1979.
Box 1, Folder 15
Grant Proposal for campus wide support system for the non-traditional female student.
1979.
Box 1, Folder 16
University Women's Center memoranda and appraisal.
1979-1982.
Box 1, Folder 17
Pacific Southwest Women's Studies Association (PSWSA) publications and memorandum.
1978-1982.
Box 1, Folder 18
Research topics.
1978-1979.
Scope and Content Note
Research proposal, bibliography and call for papers.
Box 1, Folder 20
Memoranda re: Teaching Service Areas in Women's Studies.
1980-1981.
Box 2, Folder 1
Course offerings.
1975-1995.
Scope and Content Note
Syllabi, memoranda and approval request for courses. Also a proposal for bachelor of arts degree in Women's Studies.
Box 2, Folder 2
Course 102 course and administrative materials.
1988-1999.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, approval requests, catalog description, syllabus, exam.
Box 2, Folder 3
Newsletters.
1979-1985.
Scope and Content Note
Includes "Friends of Women's Studies," " News from the Front," "Women's Studies Program: A Newsletter," and "West Coast Association
of Women Historians."
Box 2, Folder 4
Press clippings.
1979-1986.
Scope and Content Note
Includes clippings, photo-copied articles, editions of the "Daily Forty-Niner" and "Union Daily."
Box 2, Folder 5
Communications and press regarding controversy.
1981-1985.
Scope and Content Note
Letters, memoranda, press clippings concerning opposition from critics of the program including a complaint filed by Jessica
Shaver.
Box 2, Folder 6
Ad Hoc Committee memoranda and report.
1982.
Scope and Content Note
From Ad Hoc Committee on School Programs and Structures concerning recommendations re: Women's Studies Program.
Box 2, Folder 7
Drafts of Women's Studies Constitution.
1982-1983.
Scope and Content Note
Includes drafts of constitution, memoranda and May 4, 1982 edition of "Union Daily."
Box 2, Folder 8
Staffing issues and employee relations.
1982-1983.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda re: tenure track positions, academic freedom, staffing for Fall 1982. Also, copy of policies from scheduling office.
Box 2, Folder 9
""At Home"" calendar of events".
1983.
Scope and Content Note
"At Home" was a celebration of feminist art in Southern California from 1970-1983
Box 2, Folder 10
Center for Continuing Education of Women (C.C.E.W.).
1983-1985.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, summary of goals and activities, flyer, calendar, copy of "CSULB Network" newsletter, edition of "Forty Niner".
Includes Women's Studies Student Association's letter of no support.
Box 2, Folder 11
Flyers and announcements.
1983-2008.
Scope and Content Note
For various events including a large selection of flyers for the annual Women's Recognition Banquet.
Box 2, Folder 12
Communications re: support for CSULB Women's Studies.
1984.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, letters and mailers. Includes resolutions from the Associated Students Senate and materials related to the formation
of "Friends of Women's Studies."
Box 3, Folder 1
Copy of poems from "Of Power and Dreams" Women's Studies poetry reading.
1988 December.
Box 3, Folder 2
Self-study report guidelines.
1997.
Box 3, Folder 3
Copy of university institution codes.
Undated.
Women's Resource Center.
1974-1982.
Scope and Content
This series concerns the development of the women's resource center and includes training materials, proposals, memoranda,
pamphlets, reports, and evaluation materials.
Box 3, Folder 4
Questionnaires.
ca. 1974-1977.
Scope and Content Note
Questionnaires for academic programs, subsector planning and women's center workshop.
Box 3, Folder 5
Women's Resource Center staff training materials.
ca. 1975-1976.
Scope and Content Note
Workshop schedules and agendas, job descriptions.
Box 3, Folder 6
Friends of Women's Referral Center.
1976-1977.
Scope and Content Note
Notes, organization application form, memoranda, pre-application for federal assistance, letters, outline of the program,
steering committee update.
Box 3, Folder 7
Research materials.
1976-1977.
Scope and Content Note
Career Planning Center brochures, press clipping on self-examination, mailing re: Tay-Sachs disease, flyer for "Voice of the
People" performance for United Farm Workers, announcement re: state conference, list of fellowships.
Box 3, Folder 8
Goals and activities.
1976-1980.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, proposals, and outlines of goals and activities.
Box 3, Folder 9
Women's Center and Women's Referral Center organization and structure.
1976-1982.
Scope and Content Note
Letters and memoranda. Note: Women's Center and Women's Referral Center were two separate entities and one proposal was to
merge them.
Box 3, Folder 10
Press clippings.
1976-1984.
Scope and Content Note
Clippings, photocopies of articles and edition of "University Review."
Box 3, Folder 11
Program review for Center for Women's Studies.
1978.
Box 3, Folder 12
University Women's Center Reports.
1979-1982.
Box 3, Folder 13
Meeting minutes and agendas.
1982.
Scope and Content Note
Minutes and agendas for organizations like University Women's Center Advisory Board Meeting and Student Academic Services.
Box 3, Folder 14
Pamphlets and programs.
1982.
Scope and Content Note
Includes "University Women's Center: Final Edition," issued before close of the Women's Center in 1982.
Box 3, Folder 15
Staff evaluations.
1982.
Scope and Content Note
Memorandum and letter.
Box 3, Folder 16
Constitution for Center of Women's Studies.
Undated.
Box 3, Folder 17
Handwritten notes and photographs.
Undated.
Lawsuit against CSULB.
1976-1991.
Scope and Content
This series concentrates on the lawsuit filed by discharged employees with the ACLU against the department and includes clippings,
memoranda, legal files and materials concerning the appointment of Betty Brooks as an instructor.
Box 4, Folder 1
Betty Brooks teaching appointment materials.
1976-1984.
Scope and Content Note
Evaluations, copies of curriculum vita, recommendation letters, teaching appointment and copy of grievance filed by Brooks.
Box 4, Folder 2
Legal files.
ca. 1982-1986.
Scope and Content Note
Includes complaints, order of dismissal, arbitrator's opinion and reward, post-hearing brief.
Box 4, Folder 3
Memoranda and announcements.
1982-1987.
Scope and Content Note
Includes arbitration decision re: Betty Brooks, requests for contributions to defense fund, flyers and CSULB memoranda re:
conflict with Women's Studies Department. Also, CSULB memorandum and report for response phase of program review.
Box 4, Folder 4
Press clippings.
1982-1991.