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Inventory of the United Campus Christian Ministry, San Jose State University
GTU 2001-11-02
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Table of contents
Title: United Campus Christian Ministry, San Jose State University
Dates: 1953-2001
Bulk Dates: (bulk 1969-1998)
Collection number: GTU 2001-11-02
Collector:
Thorn, Alice E
Collection Size:
5 boxes; 4.50 feet
Repository: The Graduate Theological Union. Library.
Berkeley, CA 94709
Abstract: United Campus Christian Ministry began at San Jose State University as a Presbyterian effort in 1956. Various other denominations
joined the Ministry through its history. UCCM focused on helping SJSU students and sponsored many programs and events, which
often addressed social justice causes. By late 2000 the Ministry ceased operation. Collection contains organizational materials,
records of activities, photographs, negatives and slides.
Physical location: 5/G/1-2; 1/A/3
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to The Graduate Theological Union. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Graduate Theological Union
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.
United Campus Christian Ministry, San Jose State University, GTU 2001-11-02. Graduate Theological Union Archives, Berkeley,
CA.
Donated by Alice E. Thorn , President of the UCCM Board of Directors, in November 2001.
Biography / Administrative History
The United Campus Christian Ministry (UCCM) at San Jose State University had periods of intense activity through its 29 year
history.
Beginning as a Presbyterian effort in 1956, the organization was joined by the Episcopal, Lutheran, Congregational, and Disciples
of Christ denominations during the following year. Soon the Baptists, United Church of Christ, and Methodists also joined
the group. The UCCM incorporated the Campus Christian Center in 1961.
During the mid-sixties, the UCCM became part of the United Ministries in Higher Education (UMHE). This period is considered
the Golden Era of Campus ministry with high student involvement, Civil Rights activity, debates over the Vietnam War, and
other social justice issues. By the end of the decade the UCCM was at a low ebb due to changes in personnel and student interest.
Under the dynamic leadership of Pete Koopman and Natalie Shiras in 1970s and 1980s the participation grew once again at the
UCCM through a number of programs and events including fundraisers, auctions, breakfasts, dinners, lectures, Hungerfest, and
others. During the 1990s the ecumenical partnership that had been developed became frayed and denominations drew back from
funding the campus ministry. With no money for the repair of the campus center and little support for the ongoing operation,
the decision was made to sell it to the Catholic Diocese of San Jose in 1997. The UCCM struggled for a few more years and
ceased operation in late 2000.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains organizational materials recording the activities of the United Campus Christian Ministry at San
Jose State University from 1953 through 2001. There are seven series: Series 1, Administrative files; Series 2, Financial
records; Series 3, Denominations (materials on the various communions involved with UCCM); Series 4, Programs and events
related to UCCM; Series 5, Photographs; Series 6, Negatives; and Series 7, Slides. Hungerfest, a fundraising event for
hunger concerns, was held yearly 1987-93.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
United Christian Campus Fellowship.
United Ministries in Higher Education.
United Campus Christian Fellowship.
Wesley Foundations.
Disciples of Christ--California--History.
Episcopal Church--California--San Jose--History.
Methodist Church--California--San Jose--History.
Wesley United Methodist Church (San Jose, Calif.)--History.
Metropolitan Community Church--California--San Jose.
Presbyterian Church--California--San Jose.
United Church of Christ--California--San Jose--History.
Church work with students--California--San Jose - --History.
Church work with foreign students--California - --San Jose--History.
Church work with students--Christian--Disciples of Christ.
Church work with students--Lutheran Church.
Church work with students--Presbyterian.
Church work with students--Congresses.
College chaplains--United States.
College chaplains--Congresses.
Universities and colleges--Religion--Societies, etc.
Baptists--California--San Jose--History.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Koopman, Pete
Shiras, Natalie
GTU 94-11-04 Cooperative Ministries in Higher Education of Northern California and Nevada Collection; GTU 94-11-01 Marna McKenzie
Collection, Developing Ministries, CMHE (Cooperative Ministries of Higher Education) in Northern California; GTU 2006-7-02,
John S. Hadsell Westminster House Collection (U.C.-Berkeley, Presbyterian Campus Ministry); GTU 89-5-016, Berkeley Free Church
Collection, 1959-1976; GTU 2003-10-02, Albert G. Cohen Campus Ministry, Social Justice and Environment Collection.
Slides, approximately 200, of downtown San Jose, ca. 1980s sent to History San Jose Research Library, 1650 Senter Road, San
Jose, CA 95112. www.historysanjose.org. 408-287-2290.