Guide to the San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy
MSS-2009-05-01
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2009
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2009-05-01
Physical Description:
63 boxes
(67.6 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1893-2008
Date (bulk): 1942-1985
Abstract: The San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, 1893-2008 (bulk 1942-1985), consists of materials created
and collected by H. Brett Melendy while serving as the University Archivist (1983-1987), as well as personal records. The
records consist of academic journals, newspaper clippings, photographs, typed and handwritten papers, and framed commendations.
Access Restrictions
Specific folders in boxes 3, 27, 28, 42, 46, 47, & 50 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
San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, MSS-2009-05-01, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
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.
Processing Information
Collection processed and finding aid EAD encoded by Jane Gilvin. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen. Three boxes of
accruals related to Melendy's research and publications were processed and added to the collection (Series VI) by Fiona DuBrock
in February 2019. Eight boxes of accruals were added by Antonia Victoria Rock in July 2023.
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.
Born in Eureka, California, H. Brett Melendy (1924-2008) spent most of his life in California and Hawaii. He received his
Master of Arts in Education in 1948 and his Doctorate in History in 1952 from Stanford University. During this time, he also
taught high school in Fresno, California. Melendy began his university academic career as a history professor at SJSU in 1955.
He served in several positions while at San José State University including: Academic Council Faculty Chair; Associate Academic
Vice President; Dean of Undergraduate Studies; History Department Chair; History Professor; Interim Academic Vice President;
and University Archivist. Melendy also spent some of his academic career as an administrator and history professor in the
Hawaiian University system in the 1970s. His written work includes the books
Chinese and Japanese Americans;
Asians in America: Filipinos, Koreans, and East Indians; co-author of
The Governors of California: Peter H. Burnett to Edmund G. Brown, as well as numerous scholarly articles.
In addition, Melendy conducted oral history interviews of select San José State University administrators and faculty from
1983 to 1988. Melendy served as the University Archivist from 1983-1987 on a half-time basis, while also maintaining half-time
responsibilities as the Director of the Engineering Institute in the Engineering Department. In 1987 the University Archivist
position was eliminated by Academic Vice President Arlene Okerlund. From 1987 to 1994, Melendy continued to work in the History
and Engineering Departments, and in 1993 he was awarded Professor Emeritus status.
Related Material
San Jose State University Office of the President, John T. Wahlquist records, MSS-2009-04-04, San Jose State University Library
Special Collections & Archives.
San Jose State University Office of the President, Robert D. Clark records, MSS-2009-08-03, San Jose State University Library
Special Collections & Archives.
Guide to the San José State College Presidential Office Administrative Records 1899-1970 (bulk 1950-1970), Collection No.
MSS-2009-04-01. San José State University Archives Collection.
Guide to the San José State University Academic Senate Records 1952-2002 (bulk 1970-1999), Collection No. MSS-2009-03-07.
San José State University Archives Collection.
Guide to the San José State University President's Office, Gail Fullerton Records 1950-1994 (bulk 1978-1991), Collection No.
MSS-2009-04-03. San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Guide to the San José State University President's Office, John Bunzel Records 1963-1984 (bulk 1970-1978), Collection No.
MSS-2009-06-01. San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Melendy, H. Brett.
Howard Brett Melendy, Professor of History and Past Chairman of the History Department, Academic Council Faculty Chairman,
Interim Academic Vice President, Associate Academic Vice President, and University Archivist, San José State University, 1955-1970;
1979-Present: An Oral History.
San José, California: San José, 1988. Oral history interviews of the San José State University Oral History Project, 2005-2006,
Collection No. MSS-2006-04-01. San José State University Archives Collection.
Scope and Content
The San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, 1893-2008 (bulk 1942-1985), document Melendy's long-term
tenure at San José State University and specifically his work as the University Archivist from 1983-1987. The records consist
of academic journals, newspaper clippings, photographs, typed and handwritten papers, statistical reports and audits. In addition
to papers gathered from other staff and faculty, Melendy's personal papers and research are also included. The collection
also documents several lawsuits filed against the university by faculty, as well as the business of the faculty union, the
United Professors of California.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into nine series: Series I. Academic Departments, 1957-1983; Series II. Academic Senate & the
Economics Department, 1970-1978; Series III. Business Affairs, 1931-1979; Series IV. California Departments of Controller,
Auditor Education & Finance, 1929-1973; Series V. California Pioneer Contest & History Department Student Papers, 1958-1975;
Series VI. Faculty Papers, 1893-2008; Series VII. Miscellaneous University Groups, 1971-1984; Series VIII. Ombudsman, 1967-1970;
and Series IX. United Professors of California, 1971-1982.
University Archives Collection
Record Group: 6.5.1
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San José State University -- History
San José State University -- Faculty
College administrators -- California -- San José.
Universities and colleges -- Faculty -- Labor unions
United Professors of California
San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives
Academic Departments SERIES I:
1957-1983
Physical Description: 2.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents the Art, Nursing, Psychology and Science Education Departments. Of special note is a
brief history of the Art Department covering the years 1911-1957, written by faculty member Warren Faus for the 1957 San José
State University Centennial Celebration. Faus went on to chair the Art Department from 1960-1967, and then served as Dean
of the School of Humanities and Arts until his retirement in 1974.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by department.
Art & Psychology Departments Box 1
1957, 1970-1976
Nursing & Science Education Departments Box 2
1976-1983
Academic Senate & the Economics Department SERIES II:
1970-1978
Physical Description: 5.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents the Academic Senate investigation into the 1974 disenfranchisement of the Economics
Department by SJSU President John Bunzel (1970-1978). The series includes a copy of the 1975 lawsuit brought against the university
by members of the department. This event is also documented in the San José State University Academic Senate Records. Materials
related to a 1974 Academic Senate retreat and a 1977-78 evaluation of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies are also included
in this series.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by subject.
Access Note
Folder "Review Committee for Dean of Undergraduate Studies 1977-1978" in Box 3 is restricted.
Academic Senate Retreat & Dean Review Box 3
1974-1978
Senate Response to Economics Department Disenfranchisement Boxes 4-7
1970-1976
Business Affairs SERIES III:
1931-1979
Physical Description: 6.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents independent audits conducted on specific campus organizations, including Spartan Shops,
Inc., the San José State College Foundation and the Associated Students. State budget process position justification letters
and other correspondence related to the budget from 1953-1960 are also included in this series.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Audit Reports Boxes 8-10
1931-1979
Organizational Structure Box 12
1945-1958, 1968-1973
Audit Reports Box 13
1955-1979
California State Departments of Controller, Auditor, Education and Finance SERIES IV:
1929-1973
Physical Description: 4.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents the activities of the California State Departments of Controller, Auditor, Education
and Finance. The records from the State Department of Education concern the entire California State College system, and contain
records of enrollment by geographical area for the years 1933-1955. Reports on the employment status of 1933-1935 graduates
with a teaching credential for the state are also included. The State Controller, Auditor and Finance records included here
offer data specific to the San José State University campus documenting the years 1929-1973.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by department, and then chronologically within each folder.
State Audits of San José State College Box 14
1948-1963
Annual Reports for California State Colleges Box 15
1935-1955
State Teaching Schools Statistical Data Box 16
1938-1957
State Audit of Campus Organizations Box 17
1929-1973
California Pioneer Essay Contest & History Department Student Papers SERIES V:
1958-1975
Physical Description: 1.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series includes student essays submitted to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County Historical
Essay Contest, as well as papers written for history courses taught by Dr. Benjamin Gilbert. Gilbert and Melendy co-authored
The Governors of California: Peter H. Burnett to Edmund G. Brown. Gilbert also wrote
Pioneers for One Hundred Years: San José State College, 1857-1957. The California Pioneers of Santa Clara Essay Contest is held yearly.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by student surname.
Pioneer Essays & History Department Student Papers Box 18
1958-1975
Faculty Papers SERIES VI:
1893-2008
Physical Description: 29 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series consists of the administrative, personal and research records of H. Brett Melendy, as well as
the papers of Math Professor Dr. Marjorie Pickering Filling; Dean of the Business School Dr. Milburn D. Wright; and other
retired faculty and staff. This series also contains H. Brett Melendy's manuscript on secretaries of the territory of Hawai'i,
his research and personal notes on Hawai'i, former secretaries of the territory of Hawai'i, and Hawai'ian politics in the
late nineteenth to mid twentieth centuries. Also in this series are H. Brett Melendy's personal writings, including his memoir,
his Stanford graduation materials, family scrapbooks, framed commendations, and personal collection of World War II materials.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by professor surname, and then chronologically within each box. Box 56 is arranged
chronologically.
Access Note
Folders "Consultants," "Budgets & Expenses," "In Kind Contribution Completed," "Expenditures Monthly" and "Research Association
Correspondence" in Boxes 27 and 28 are restricted.
Melendy Academic & Administrative Papers Boxes 19-20
1964-1988
Melendy Academic & Personal Papers Boxes 21, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63
1920-2008
Scope and Contents
Box 57 contains many personal essays written by H. Brett Melendy, his 2006 California Lecture Series notes, as well as unframed
commendations, donation records, publisher correspondance, and personal materials regarding his time serving on the Grand
Jury of Santa Clara County. Box 58 contains personal items from H. Brett Melendy's childhood through the end of his life.
It consists of personal items from his time in Boy Scouts and grade school, documents regarding selective service, and his
personal collection of World War II materials, largely ration stamps, booklets, and coins. It also contains personal materials
and press from his time at Humboldt State University, Stanford University, and San Jose State University. It also contains
personal materials form his time living in Hawai'i. Box 59 consists of oversized press and scrapbook collections. Box 60 consists
of unframed commendations, while boxes 61 and 62 contain framed commendations. Box 63 contains personal items.
American Historical Association Newsletter Boxes 22-23
1974-1988
Articles, Inscribed Box 24
1959-1978
Bulletin of Chinese Historical Society of America Box 25
1969-1980
National Endowment for Humanities Grants Boxes 26-28
1973-1983
Hawaiian Periodicals Box 29
1967-1988
Melendy Professional & Personal Incoming Correspondence Box 30
1966-1988
Melendy Professional Outgoing Correspondence Box 31
1967-1988
Melendy Research Correspondence Boxes 32-33
1964-1988
Pickering Filling Papers Boxes 34-35
1968-1982
Wright Papers Box 36
1933-1981
Staff & Faculty Papers Boxes 37-39
1928-1985
Melendy Research and Manuscript: Hawaii, America's Sugar Territory 1893-1983 Boxes 53, 54, and 56
Melendy Publications Box 55
Miscellaneous University Materials SERIES VII:
1971-1984
Physical Description: 1.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents the Black Masque Honor Society for female undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well
as the Presidential Committee for the Future of Education formed by San José State University President John Bunzel (1970-1978)
in 1971.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by format, and then chronologically within each folder.
Black Masque & Presidential Committee on the Future of Education Box 40
1971-1984
Ombudsman SERIES VIII:
1967-1970
Physical Description: 1.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The San José State University Ombudsman is an impartial party appointed to receive complaints, give information or facilitate
communication between students and members of the university community. The position was created by San José State President
Robert D. Clark (1964-1969) in the late 1960s in response to student Civil Rights protests. This series documents a particularly
controversial time for the university and for the nation, and includes correspondence, press releases and newspaper articles
chronicling such events as the Survival Faire, student unrest, and the Tommie Smith and John Carlos Black Power salute at
the 1968 Olympics. Held on campus, the Survival Faire started as a class project, but became a larger community event to promote
environmental awareness, capped by the burial of a car on Earth Day. Also during this time, Dr. William Shockley, well known
eugenicist and supporter of sterilization, participated in the program entitled "Black is Becoming." A Nobel Prize winner
in 1958, and co-inventor of the transistor and leader in the semi-conductor industry, Shockley spent the last years of his
life studying intelligence, race, and eugenics, and believed that science could solve human problems. Needless to say, his
views on race and intelligence during the height of the Civil Rights movement created some campus conflict.
This series also contains information documenting the 1968 Olympics, specifically the incident involving Tommie Smith and
John Carlos, two participating San José State College athletes. Smith and Carlos raised their arms in a Black Power salute
while standing on the winners podium. The act was widely publicized and both men received death threats afterwards. Public
response to these and other events that occurred on the San José State University campus during the late 1960s and early 1970s
are well-documented in this series.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Ombudsman Correspondence Box 41
1967-1970
United Professors of California SERIES IX:
1971-1982
Physical Description: 11.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The material in this series documents the United Professors of California Union on the San José State University campus. It
covers collective bargaining, local union business, membership, payroll deductions, state meetings and political actions.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by subject.
Access Note
Folders "Bank Statements & Checks 1971-1976 (1)," "Bank Statements & Checks 1971-1976 (2)," and "Grievances: Academic Freedom
Committee, 1973-1975" in Boxes 42 and 50 and all of Boxes 46-47 are restricted.
United Professors of California Files Box 42
1971-1977
Collective Bargaining Boxes 43-44
1974-1982
Economics Department & Faculty Conditions Box 45
1973-1981
Personnel Files Boxes 46-47
1973-1982
Local Union Files Box 48
1972-1981
Local Union Membership Box 49
1974-1981
Nomination, Payroll Deductions & Political Actions Box 50
1973-1980
United Professors of California Statewide Meetings & Fliers Box 51
1974-1981
United Professors of California Newspapers & Fliers Box 52
1973-1982
