Guide to the San José State University Academic Senate Records

SJSU Library 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 Academic Senate Records

Collection number: MSS-2009-03-07



SJSU Special Collections & 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


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:
Robert Donahue
© 2009 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: SJSU Academic Senate Records
Dates: 1952-2004
Bulk Dates: 1970-1999
Collection number: MSS-2009-03-07
Creator: San José State University Academic Senate
Collection Size: 3 Hollinger boxes, 1 flat box, 86 Paige boxes (103.96 linear feet)
Repository: San José State University. Library.
San José, California 95192-0028
Abstract: The SJSU Academic Senate Records, 1952-2004 (bulk 1970-1999), document the history and administrative responsibilities of the Academic Senate. The records consist of general, administrative and committee files, budget reports and correspondence, as well as newspaper clippings and audio tapes. The records also include files from the Academic Council, the forerunner to the Academic Senate. In addition, the Academic Senate files document the departmental and program controversies in the Economics and Athletic departments in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the Koehmstedt civil rights case, which challenged the university's accommodation policies for students with learning disabilities. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. Administrative Files, 1952-2002 (bulk 1970-1999); and Series II. Economics Department, 1974-1979.
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.

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

Academic Senate Records, MSS-2009-03-07, San José State University Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue and 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.
In May of 1952, President John T. Wahlquist (1952-1964) authorized the formation of the Faculty Council against the advice of former SJSU President Thomas MacQuarrie (1927-1952). The Faculty Council was the first of its kind among the California State college campuses. Its purpose was to serve as the official channel to bring faculty opinion to the attention of the administration. The Faculty Council was renamed the Academic Council in 1963, and its new charter described the council as the official representative body of SJSU faculty. In 1974, the Academic Council became the Academic Senate.
Currently, the San José State University Academic Senate has fifty-four members including six students, and includes representation from the administration, including the president, provost and college deans. The Academic Senate's duties include formulating university policy, communicating recommendations to the university president on such matters as faculty affairs, curriculum, instruction, student affairs, and finances, and other matters relevant to the welfare of San José State University.

Bibliography

Gilbert, Benjamin F, and Charles Burdick. Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San José State University. San José: San José State University, 1980.
Norton, T.M. "Notes on the History of the Academic Senate." http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/Notes.htm  (accessed 03/19/2009).
"San José State University: About SJSU." http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/  (accessed 03/19/2009).
Walsh, James P. San José State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. San José: San José State University, 2003.

Scope and Content of Collection

The SJSU Academic Senate Records, 1952-2004 (bulk 1970-1999), document the history and administrative responsibilities of the Academic Senate. The records consist of general, administrative and committee files, budget reports, and correspondence, as well as newspaper clippings and audio tape. In addition, the records document departmental and program controversies in the Economics and Athletics departments in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the Koehmstedt civil rights case, which challenged the university's accommodation policies for students with learning disabilities.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. Administrative Files, 1952-2002 (bulk 1970-1999); and Series II. Economics Department, 1974-1979.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
San José State University. Academic Senate -- History
San José State University. Academic Senate -- Records and correspondence
San José State University. Academic Senate -- Civil rights -- Trials, litigation, etc.
San José State University. Academic Council -- History
San José State University. Academic Council -- Records and correspondence
San José State University. Athletics Dept. -- History
San José State University. Economics Dept. -- History
San José State University -- Faculty
San José State College -- History
California State University, San José -- History
San José State University -- History
Universities and colleges -- California -- San José
College teachers -- California -- San José
Education, Higher -- California -- San José


 

Series I:  Administrative Files 1952-2004 bulk(1970-1999)

Physical Description: 87 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

The materials in this series document the rich history of the SJSU Academic Senate and its role in campus governance. The Senate has and continues to play a primary role in establishing standards for faculty recruitment, retention, and promotion, as well as policies governing student performance and student life. During the Civil Rights movement, issues related to student activism and protest led to more diverse policies that addressed housing discrimination and equity on campus. Following the tumult of this era, SJSU witnessed a steady growth in enrollment and today the Academic Senate continues to provide important leadership to the campus community and in the California State University system.
The Academic Senate administrative files contain meeting minutes, committee files, budget records, and correspondence. This series also includes files related to the Athletic Department's programs, including the elimination of the fencing program and other program decisions made during the tenure of President Gail Fullerton (1978-1991). Of special note, the materials documenting the Koehmstedt civil rights case, which challenged the university's accommodation policies for students with learning disabilities, will be of interest to scholars tracing the history of disability policies in the academic environment.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Boxes 1-25

Administrative Files 1952-1992

Note:
Athletics Department files in Box 21.
Boxes 26-27

Council Minutes 1952-1997

Boxes 28-40

Committee Meeting Files, Correspondence, and Attendance Records 1952-2002

Boxes 41-43

Administrative and Correspondence Files 1957-1997

Boxes 44-57

Meeting Minutes 1960-2002

Boxes 58-59

Academic Council 1965-1979

Box 60

Academic Senate: Retreat and Teacher Education 1966

Box 61

Senate Policy Recommendation 1975-1990

Box 62

General Files, California Propositions, Athletics Department 1977-1985

Box 63

Organization and Government 1977-1996

Box 64

Correspondence 1981-1991

Box 65

Budget, General Files, Athletics Department 1982-1999

Box 66

SJSU Strategic Plan and Budget, Minutes, and Correspondence 1985-1988

Box 67

WASC Files Regarding Accreditation 1988-1994

Box 68

General Files of Statewide CSU Academic Senate 1988-1989

Box 69

Lottery Funds 1988-1992

Boxes 70-72

Correspondence: Academic Vice President's Office 1990-1994

Box 73

Educational Equity 1990-1996

Box 74

Library Personnel Search, Koehmstedt Civil Rights Case 1990-1993

Boxes 75-76

Personnel Files 1990-1994

Box 77

Council of Deans, General Files 1991-1995

Box 78

Assorted Files 1995

Boxes 82-84

Meeting Minutes 1977-2002

Box 85

Notes, Handbooks, Newsletter 1980-1990

Box 86

General Files, Committee Files 1994-2003

Boxes 87-88

Administrative Files, Student Related Files 1995-2000

Box 89

Files from AS Committees 1997-2000

Box 90

Budget, Accounting 2002-2004

 

Series II: Economics Department 1974-1979

Physical Description: 3 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

The material in this series contains files and audio tapes concerning the Economics Department at San José State University from 1974-1979. During the 1970s, the department faculty fragmented as a result of different philosophies in education and over departmental politics. The controversy began when SJSU President John H. Bunzel (1970-1978) chose to ignore the Economics Department's choice for department chairman, Martin Primack, and instead appointed James Willis. Due to political and ethical issues between two factions of the department, the Economics Department had difficulties performing even basic personnel functions such as recruiting. SJSU President Bunzel (1970-1978) subsequently appointed a special receivership committee to handle administrative functions of the Economics Department without the authorization of the Academic Senate. The Academic Senate opposed this action and censured Bunzel in 1975, partially because Bunzel failed to consult the Senate on such an unprecedented move.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Box 79

Testimonies, Legal Proceedings 1974

Box 80

Economics Department Investigation 1974-1976

Box 81

Testimonies, General Files 1979