Guide to the San José State University Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records
SJSU Special Collections and Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
© 2009
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Guide to the San José State University Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records
Collection number: MSS-2009-04-03
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0087
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
Finding aid funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
- Processed by:
- Robert Donahue
- Date Completed:
- 2009
- Encoded by:
- Mary Ellen Petrich
© 2009 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: SJSU Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records
Dates: 1950-1994
Bulk Dates: 1978-1991
Collection number: MSS-2009-04-03
Creator:
San José State University. Office of the President
Collection Size:
184 Boxes
223 linear feet
Repository:
San José State University, Special Collections & Archives.
San José, California 95192-0028
Abstract: The Office of the President is the highest administrative office for the campus, reporting to the California State University
(CSU) Chancellor and Board of Trustees, respectively. As such, the Office of the President records document the overall policies,
practices and procedures of the daily operation of the campus, as well as the interaction with other CSU campuses and with
the CSU administration. The SJSU Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991) document Fullerton's
tenure as university president (1978-1991). The records consist of administrative files, architectural drawings, correspondence,
legal cases, speech files, and awards and plaques. This collection is arranged into five series: Series I. Administrative
Records, 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991); Series II. Athletics Department, 1985-1992; Series III. Legal Records, 1963-1992; Series
IV. San Carlos Street Closure, 1982-1986; and Series V. Restricted Materials,1967-1986.
Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
The collection is open for research, with the exception of the following materials: specific folders within Boxes 4, 103,
173, 174, 176, and 177 are restricted; all materials in Boxes 180 and 181 are restricted.
Publication Rights
Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
SJSU Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records, MSS-2009-04-03, San José State University Library Special Collections
and Archives.
Processing History
Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Mary Ellen Petrich. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008. The Project Director is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.
Organizational History
In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.
The Office of the President is the highest administrative office for the campus, reporting to the California State University
(CSU) Chancellor and Board of Trustees, respectively. As such, the Office of the President records document the overall policies,
practices and procedures of the daily operation of the campus, as well as the interaction with other CSU campuses and with
the CSU administration.
Dr. Gail Fullerton (1978-1991) earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Sociology from the University of Nebraska
by 1950, and received her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 1954. The first female president of San José State University,
Fullerton served from 1978-1991. She was also the first faculty member to be promoted to the Office of President since the
appointment of President Morris Dailey (1900-1918).
Fullerton began her career at San José State University in 1964, as a tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Sociology.
She later served as Executive Vice President for President John Bunzel (1970-1978) before serving as university president.
During her tenure, President Fullerton (1978-1991) supported the university and the Athletics Department and was a firm believer
in the "student athlete" concept. In addition, she laid the groundwork for the closing of San Carlos Street between 9th Street
and 4th Street, which bisected the college campus until 1996. Appointed in the late 1970s during a severe budget crisis, Fullerton
also navigated several controversies and lawsuits, including one highly publicized legal case that concerned the firing of
university football coach Claude Gilbert following the 1989 football season. Fullerton's tenure as president took place during
a very litigious period of time at the university, and she was jokingly referred to as "the perpetual defendant." Despite
several lawsuits and a bare bones budget, Fullerton had a long-term career as president, serving 13 years.
Bibliography
Gilbert, Benjamin F., and Burdick, Charles.
Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San José State University. San José, California: San José State University, 1980.
Walsh, James P.
San José State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. San José, California: San José State University, 2003.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Office of the President is the highest administrative office for the campus, reporting to the California State University
(CSU) Chancellor and Board of Trustees, respectively. As such, the Office of the President records document the overall policies,
practices and procedures of the daily operation of the campus, as well as the interaction with other CSU campuses and with
the CSU administration. The SJSU Office of the President, Gail Fullerton Records, 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991) document Fullerton's
tenure as university president (1978-1991). Fullerton began her career as a faculty member in the Department of Sociology,
and she also served as the Executive Vice President under President John Bunzel (1970-1978) before her appointment as university
president. The records consist of administrative files, architectural drawings, correspondence, speech files, and awards and
plaques. In addition, copies of legal cases concerning the university, administrative decisions related to the budget and
the Athletics Department, and changes to the physical campus are included.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into five series: Series I. Administrative Records, 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991); Series II. Athletics
Department, 1985-1992; Series III. Legal Records, 1963-1992; Series IV. San Carlos Street Closure, 1982-1986; and Series V.
Restricted Materials, 1967-1986.
Subject Headings
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Fullerton, Gail Putney
San José State University. Office of the President -- History
San José State University -- Presidents
San José State University -- History
San José State College -- History
California State University, San José -- History
Education, Higher -- California -- San José
Education -- California -- San José
Series I:
Administrative Records
1950-1994
bulk(1978-1991)
Physical Description: 169 Boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of the administrative records of President Gail Fullerton (1978-1991), and include administrative files,
correspondence, speech files, and awards and plaques. Dr. Fullerton is the only woman to serve as president of San José State
University to date. She is also the first faculty member to be promoted to the Office of President since the appointment of
President Morris Dailey (1900-1918). Fullerton began her career as a tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Sociology
in 1964. She also served as executive vice president for President John Bunzel (1970-1978) before her tenure as president.
This series also includes Fullerton's personal files while she was a faculty member and executive vice president.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Access Restrictions
Specific folders within Boxes 4 and 103 are restricted.
Boxes 1-70
Administrative Records
1950-1991
Box 71
Administrative Data, Speeches of Various Campus Presidents
1950-1973
Boxes 72-73
CSU Annual Report, Miscellaneous Reports
1959-1994
Box 74, 184
Awards, Plaques, Citations Honoring Fullerton
1970-1994
Box 75
Alcohol Beverage Control
1970-1988
Box 76
Alphabetical Files, P-W
1973-1980
Box 78
Alphabetical Files, G-L
1976-1988
Boxes 79-80
CSUC Memos to Presidents
1977-1980
Box 81
Alphabetical Files, P-W
1978-1988
Box 82
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Search
1978-1992
Box 83
Chancellor's Council of Presidents and Board of Trustees
1979-1980
Box 84
Alphabetical Files, L-P
1979-1980
Box 85
Budget & CSU Policies & News
1979-1981
Box 99
Award Considerations
1979-1986
Box 100
Faculty and Staff Relations with CSU Chancellor
1979-1987
Box 102
Alphabetical Files, D-M
1980-1989
Box 103
Affirmative Action Program Coordinator Search
1980-1981
Box 104
Alphabetical Files, F-P
1980-1981
Box 105
Alphabetical Files, P-U
1980-1981
Box 106
CSUC Memos to Presidents
1981
Box 107
Faculty Affairs, Gail Fullerton Documents
1981-1982
Box 108
Executive Vice President Candidate CVs
1981-1982
Box 109
CSU and Colleges: Memos and Reports
1981-1982
Box 110
President's Annual Events
1981-1984
Box 111
Commencement and Grievances
1981-1984
Box 113
Black Issues in Higher Education
1981-1991
Box 114
Alphabetical Files, L-P
1982-1990
Box 115
Administrative Files, Commission Reviews on Affirmative Action
1983-1984
Box 116
Personal Grievances
1983-1984
Box 117
Alphabetical Files, J-P
1983-1988
Box 118
Accreditation, Reports
1983-1988
Box 123
Master Plan, Board of Trustees, Amendments
1984-1986
Box 124
Various CSU-Wide Subjects, Preliminary Call for Affirmative Action Proposals
1984-1986
Box 125
Personnel Files
1984-1987
Box 141
Memos Regarding Budget Bills, Proposals
1985-1986
Box 143
Government Materials, Project Plan to Improve Facilities, Programs to Assist Foreign Woman-Owned Businesses
1986-1987
Box 144
Academic Senate, Alumni Association, American Colleges Testing
1986-1987
Box 145
Academic Senate
1986-1988
Box 146
Various University Catalogs
1986-1991
Box 147
Director Search
1986-1991
Box 149
Dean of Student Services Search
1987-1988
Box 150
Alphabetical Files
1987-1988
Box 156
CSU Correspondence and Reports
1988
Box 157
Chronical of Higher Education
1989
Box 158
Administration Affairs, Services and Relations
1989
Box 159
Meetings, Lectures, Awards Ceremonies
1989-1990
Box 160
Committees, Fullerton Membership
1989-1991
Box 161
Alphabetical Files, G-N
1989-1991
Box 162
University Affairs and Relations
1990
Boxes 163-164
Academic Affairs
1990-1991
Box 166
Academic Senate
1990-1991
Box 167
Academic Departments and Offices of SJSU
1990-1991
Box 182
Fullerton Inauguration
1979-1991
Series II:
Athletics Department
1985-1992
Physical Description: 7 Boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains administrative records concerning the Athletics Department, as well as legal records and newspaper clippings.
President Fullerton (1978-1991) was a strong advocate of team athletic sports. She believed that team sports promoted traits
favorable to academia and wanted to increase the graduation rate of athletes at San José State University. Fullerton clashed
with the Academic Senate on several occasions in the 1980s when she allocated university funds during a budget crisis in order
to help support a growing athletics program.
One particular problem concerned the head of the football program, Coach Claude Gilbert, who refused to follow Fullerton's
instructions to recruit freshmen athletes, rather than older and more seasoned community college transfers. President Fullerton
subsequently terminated Gilbert after the 1989 football season, and the university was sued for wrongful termination.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Access Restrictions
Specific folders within Boxes 173 and 174 are restricted.
Boxes 168-172
Athletics Department
1985-1991
Boxes 173-174
Claude Gilbert Termination Lawsuit
1987-1992
Series III:
Legal Records
1963-1992
Physical Description: 4 Boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
President Fullerton (1978-1991) was often referred to as the "perpetual defendant" by her husband and members of her staff.
This series contains two discrimination lawsuits filed against the university, both of which name Fullerton as one of the
principal defendants. The cases involved Lenore Seltzer and Jose Hernandez, both of whom claimed discrimination when they
were passed over for promotion by President Fullerton and university officials.
This series also contains records documenting the closure of the Spartan City, a university-owned housing complex designated
for married students or single parents with children. Used as "emergency" housing since the post-WWII era, the Spartan City
wooden barracks were dilapidated, asbestos-ridden and generally unsafe for habitation by the 1980s. As a result, President
Fullerton (1978-1991), the State Fire Marshal and various building and structural consultants suggested the complex be demolished
due to health and safety concerns. The controversy regarding Spartan City was such that the complex was slated for demolition
six months ahead of schedule, and a subsequent lawsuit was filed by Spartan City residents against the university to protest
the early closure. In 1988, a Superior Court judge ruled that the university had the right to force the eviction of Spartan
City residents, and the complex closed that same year. The court case was formally dismissed in 1992.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Access Restrictions
Specific folders within Boxes 176 and 177 are restricted.
Box 175
Spartan City Closure and Lawsuit
1963-1988
Box 176
Lenore Seltzer Discrimination Lawsuit
1970-1978
Box 177
Jose Hernandez Discrimination Lawsuit
1983-1984
Box 178
Spartan City Demolition
1986-1992
Series IV:
San Carlos Street Closure
1982-1986
Physical Description: 1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
During President Fullerton's (1978-1991) tenure at San José State University, San Carlos Street ran through the university,
bisecting the campus in half. The San José City Council originally wanted to downgrade San Carlos Street to a smaller road,
but President Fullerton and Executive Vice President J. Handel Evans eventually persuaded the Council to agree to close the
portion of the road running through campus. The project began in 1994 and was completed in 1996. Today, San Carlos Street
is a decorated walkway through the campus, with the street existing in two segments on either side of San José State University.
Box 179
Project Files: San Carlos Street Closure
1982-1986
Series V:
Restricted Materials
1967-1986
Physical Description: 2 Boxes
Access Restrictions
Boxes 180 and 181 are restricted.
Boxes 180-181
Restricted Materials
1967-1986
