Cosgrove (Thomas) papers, 1973-2007

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Summary

Title:
Thomas Cosgrove papers
Dates:
1973-2007
Creators:
Cosgrove, Thomas
Abstract:
This collections contains records kept by Thomas Cosgrove during his 38 years working at the University of San Diego. Records are associated with his work in Student Affairs and include meeting minutes, memoranda, resources used for policy creation, and event planning materials. The primary event represented is New Student Orientation, which Cosgrove overhauled into a week of activities and events for incoming students. Also included are materials for the President's Advisory Council and the Strategic Long Range Plan, both in which Cosgrove was actively involved.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Thomas Cosgrove records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the administrative records gathered by Thomas Cosgrove throughout his 38 years working at the University of San Diego. These records reflect the changes that occurred in student affairs over Cosgrove's tenure, including goals and objectives for improving the student experience, and departmental changes in policies and procedures.

Records include meeting minutes for various committees of which Cosgrove was a member, materials for the President's Advisory Council, resources that helped inform Cosgrove's work, event planning materials, and records closely related to his work in Student Affairs. Event planning materials generally include correspondence and programs or fliers for the events. Events include Homecoming, and various speakers brought to campus. Orientation Week materials document the variety of events used to engage students and help them adjust to life at USD. Among these materials are correspondence, schedules, evaluations, and meeting materials. Also included are planning materials for the events held throughout Orientation Week including Casino Night, Luau, the Alcalá Bazaar, and trips to Sea World.

Cosgrove's Student Affairs records include his work with the Associated Students, developing the Leadership program, resources used in creating conduct policies, University Center operations manuals, and material gathered for the Strategic Long Range Plan. Among these materials, are records associated with Marie Minnick, who worked closely with Cosgrove. Minnick began working at USD in 1998, first as the Director of Student Activities, then as the Assistant Dean of Students.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas J. Cosgrove worked with students at the University of San Diego for 38 years. Prior to beginning as the USD Program Coordinator/Assistant Director of Campus Ministry in July 1972, Cosgrove earned an M.A. in Moral Theology from St. Louis University. While working at USD, he attended the USD School of Education to earn his M. Ed. in Counselor Education in 1974 and his Ed. D. in Leadership in 1984.

As the Dean of Student Affairs, Cosgrove was prominent in the administration of the Hahn University Center. He also oversaw fundraising for, and the opening of the Student Life Pavilion. Cosgrove additionally served on the President's Cabinet, and played a prominent role in student life on campus. He established the recreation program, was part of a team that created a Leadership minor, and created the Emerging Leader Program. He led the way in infusing New Student Orientation with events and activities like casino nights, luaus, and barbecues. Cosgrove additionally encouraged the establishment of crew as an official USD sport, which occurred in 1978.

Cosgrove served as the chair of many committees throughout his tenure at USD. These include:

  • Student Development Task Force (1977-1978)
  • Committee for the Development of the Alcohol Education Program (1979-1980)
  • Committee for the Revision of the University Alcohol Policy (1981)
  • WASC Standard VII Committee on Student Services (1981-1982; 1991-1992; 1998-2000)
  • Committee on Outdoor Recreation (1981-1983)
  • University Center Program Development Committee (1982-1984)
  • University Center Policies Committee (1984-1985)
  • Special Committee on AIDS Education (1991-1992)
  • Orientation Coordinating Committee (1992-1993)
  • University Speakers Policy Committee (1992-1993)
  • Diversity Committee of Strategic Long Range Planning Process for Student Affairs (1994)
  • Alcohol and Drug Issues: An Integrated Response Committee (1998-2001)
  • Campus Culture Committee (1999-2000)
  • Committee for the Revision of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities (2002-2003)
  • First Year Experience Committee (2003-2004)

He also held a number of job titles, all associated with the student experience. Cosgrove retired in June 2010.

Dates Job Title
1972-1974 Program Coordinator / Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
1974-1978 Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Activities and Special Events
1978-1985 Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Development, Student Activities and Special Events
1985-1997 Associate Dean of Students, Director of Hahn University Center and Student Development
1997-2001 Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs, Director of the Hahn University Center and Student Development
2001-2007 Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
2007-2010 Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs Development
Appraisal information:

Processing information:

Initial processing of this collection was done by Tessie Camina in 2011. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2017. In 2017, an effort was made to recreate original order from an inventory that was created at the time of transfer to the archives, as well as from an understanding of the records. Original folder titles are unknown.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into five series:

Series I. Meeting Minutes

Series II: President's Advisory Council

Series III: Resources

Series IV: Student Activities Series IV is further arranged into two subseries:

  1. A. Events
  2. B. Orientation

Series V: Student Affairs Series V is further arranged into four subseries:

  1. A. Associated Students
  2. B. Conduct
  3. C. General Administration
  4. D. Strategic Long Range Plan

Physical description:
6 boxes, (6 linear feet)
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
Date Prepared:
© 2017
Date Encoded:

Access and use

Restrictions:

The majority of these records are open for research.

Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Thomas Cosgrove records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Location of this collection:
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
Contact:
(619) 260-2730
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Website