Guide to the San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records MSS.2009.04.01

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Title: San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records

creator: San José State College Presidential Office Administration Division

Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2009.04.01

Physical Description: 29 boxes (36.25 linear feet)

Date (bulk): Bulk, 1950-1972

Date (inclusive): 1899-1972

Abstract: The San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records (1899-1972 [bulk 1950-1972]) document the general administrative functions of the Office of the President. The records consist of budget reports, committee files, photographs, and correspondence. Also included are materials pertaining to several controversial events on campus, such as the 1957 athletics controversy, the St. John Dixon admittance case, and records of discrimination involving Greek societies, housing facilities, and hiring practices at San José State College. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. General Files, 1899-1972 (bulk 1950-1972); and Series II. Statistical Reports, 1915-1935.

The collection is open for research.

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.

San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records, MSS-2009-04-01, San José State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Collection processed and finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen.

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.

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 Jose, 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 Administration traces its roots to the Minns' Evening Normal School. The growth and transition from the Normal School to a university system requires a complex administrative system to manage the university. The President of the University plays a primary role overseeing all of the administrative functions, in concert with academic vice presidents and the academic senate. From 1921 through 1964 SJSU presidents were the sole decision makers regarding administrative functions. However, changes began in President Wahlquist's (1952-1964) tenure when he permitted the Faculty Council (later the Academic Senate) to be formed in 1952. During President Clark's (1964-1969) tenure the practice of shared governance came into effect, with the president of the university sharing administrative powers with the university faculty. In order to address student protests related to Civil Rights issues, President Clark (1964-1969) also established the position of Ombudsman to improve communication between the administration and student body; San José State University was the first CSU campus to appoint an Ombudsman.

The San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records (1899-1972 [bulk 1950-1972]) document the general administrative functions of the Office of the President. The records consist of budget reports, committee files, photographs, and correspondence. Also included are materials pertaining to several controversial events on campus, such as the 1957 athletics controversy, the St. John Dixon admittance case, and records of discrimination involving Greek societies, housing facilities, and hiring practices at San Jose State College.

This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. General Files, 1899-1972 (bulk 1950-1972); and Series II. Statistical Reports, 1915-1935.