Guide to the California and San José State University Master Plan for Higher Education Records MSS.2009.03.01

Jane Gilvin
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: California and San José State University Master Plan for Higher Education Records
creator: San Jose State University. Master Plan Committee
creator: California Master Plan Survey Team
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2009.03.01
Physical Description: 3 boxes
Physical Description: 3 folders (3 linear ft.)
Date (inclusive): 1954-1987
Abstract: The California and San José State University Master Plan for Higher Education Records document the 1960 California Master Plan for Education and the 1962 San José State University Campus Master Plan. The Master Plan was the development plan for university real estate (primarily regarding San José State College) in the areas of construction, campus ground improvement, and modernization. The records consist of newspaper clippings, blueprints, correspondence, memoranda, and administrative and bureaucratic papers.
Physical Description: (3.0 linear feet)

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

California and San José State University Master Plan for Higher Education Records, MSS-2009-03-01, San José State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Jane Gilvin. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen. Accruals added by Victor Rodriguez II in March of 2016.

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 the late 1950s California faced a large increase in the number of students entering state colleges and universities. Several factors contributed to this increase, including the post-World War II Baby Boom, educational assistance for military veterans, immigration to California, larger high school graduating classes and more of those students pursuing a college education. As a result, the state legislature passed the California Master Plan for Higher Education, also known as the Donahue Act, in 1960 outlining how the state would deal with the rising enrollment in the state university, college and junior college systems. The California Legislature's adoption of the Master Plan recognized the importance of higher education to the state's economy and committed resources to promote low tuition costs for state residents. Admission standards were set for each system and a new governance system was established for the state colleges including San José State University. Subsequently, the plan became a model for other states and countries.
The Master Plan Survey Team was created in June of 1959 when Bakersfield Democratic Assemblyperson Dorothy Donahue introduced the resolution for the Master Plan to the California Assembly. Two years later, the newly established Trustees for the California State University system coordinated "Campus Physical Master Plans" for individual campuses. The 1962 plan for San José State University was developed to prepare the campus for the next 10 to 15 years, and includes a discussion of closing 7th Street to vehicular traffic or the possibility of creating a traffic bypass. Although 7th Street was eventually closed to traffic in 1994, the initial proposal was not accepted by the San José City Council, as documented by newspaper clippings included in these records. The plans also include purchasing additional land and erecting new buildings on the San José State University campus. Discussion of demolishing or renovating historic Tower Hall and whether the Trustees would purchase all of the land proposed is also documented in the records. Tower Hall was not demolished and remains one of the iconic buildings on campus.

Bibliography

Gilbert, Benjamin F., and Burdick, Charles. Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San José State University. San José, California: San José State University, 1980.
Jack, Heather L. The Press and the 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education in California. MS Thesis. San José, California: San José State University, 2000.
Walsh, James P. San José State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. San José, California: San José State University, 2003.

Scope and Content of Collection

With the end of World War II, the California state colleges experienced an increase in the number of students entering its institutions. The introduction of the G.I. Bill allowing returning military veterans to attend college for free, increased graduation rates in high schools, an expansion in immigrant numbers entering California and going to college, and the Baby Boom all contributed to the inflation of student enrollment in California. To assist this increased demand on higher education, the state legislature passed the Donahue Act , or the California Master Plan for High Education in 1960. This Act allowed for modernization, improvement, and expansion of California state colleges, and junior college system . It enabled real estate purchasing, construction, and renovations of college institutions. Individual "Campus Physical Master Plans" were written for each campus after the statewide plan was written.
The California and San José State University Master Plan for Higher Education Records, 1954-1987 consist of newspaper clippings, blueprints, correspondence, memoranda, and administrative papers documenting the 1960 California Master Plan for Education, The collections also covers the 1962 San José State University Campus Master Plan. The records include a copy of the published 1960 California Master Plan and a copy of the 1987 Commission for the Review of the Master Plan's findings. The newspaper clippings of the 1962 San José State University Master Plan document discussions about the renovations or demolishment of Tower Hall. The records also examine the possibility of closing 7th Street to vehicular traffic allowing for the expansion of the campus grounds, and insure the safety of students when walking to class.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. California Master Plan, 1954-1987; and Series II. San José State University Master Plan, 1955-1976.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Education, Higher -- California -- Planning
Education, Higher -- California -- San José
Universities and colleges -- California -- Planning
San José State University -- History
California State University, San José -- History
California State Colleges -- History
San Jose State College -- History
San Jose State University. Master Plan Committee
California Master Plan Survey Team

 

California Master Plan for Higher Education and Revisions Series I: 1954-1987

Physical Description: 1.0 Box

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings and blueprints from the California Master Plan Survey Joint Advisory Team. In addition, this series includes formulation data specific to the San José State University campus.
The Joint Advisory Team had members from many state university and college campuses, including San José State University. The educators worked with the legislative members of the Joint Advisory Team. Campus-specific data was solicited from each state university and college. The California Master Plan plotted a course for providing low tuition education to California residents at well-funded and respected state schools. California state colleges and universities are still highly respected, but the price of education has seen a sharp rise since the plan's inception.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Box 1, Folder 1

Volume 1, Introductory Informal

Box 1, Folder 2

Volume I, Regents of the University of California & the State Board of Education

Box 1, Folder 3

Volume 1, Liaison Committee

Box 1, Folder 4

Volume 1, Master Plan Survey Clippings (1 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 5

Volume 1, Master Plan Survey Clippings (2 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 6

Volume 1, Master Plan Team Clippings

Box 1, Folder 7

Volume 1, Joint Advisory Committee (1 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 8

Volume 1, Joint Advisory Committee (2 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 9

Volume 1, Miscellaneous

Box 1, Folder 10

Volume 1, Extracts

Box 1, Folder 11

Volume 2, Introductory

Box 1, Folder 12

Volume 2, Technical Committees Enrollment Projections

Box 1, Folder 13

Volume 2, Selection and Retention of Students (1 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 14

Volume 2, Selection and Retention of Students (2 of 2)

Box 1, Folder 15

Volume, 2 Adult Education

Box 1, Folder 16

Volume 2, California Ability to Finance Higher Education

Box 1, Folder 17

Volume 2, Cost of Higher Education

Box 1, Folder 18

Volume 2, Institutional Capacities and Area Needs

Box 1, Folder 19

Volume 3, Functions of Junior Colleges, State Colleges, & Universities in California

Box 1, Folder 20

Volume 3, Faculty Representatives to M.A.P.S.

Box 1, Folder 21

Volume 3, Graduate Committee

Box 1, Folder 22

Revised Master Plan Data Report; August 11, 1954

Box 1, Folder 23

Master Plan Survey & Survey Team November-December 1959

Box 1, Folder 24

Master Plan Legislation and Legal Papers, 1950-1960

Box 1, Folder 25

Spartan Bulletin, June 1960

Box 1, Folder 26

A Master Plan for Higher Education in California, 1960-1975

Box 1, Folder 27

Report of the Joint Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education California Legislature, September 1973

Box 1, Folder 28

Master Plan Renewed (Booklet x2), July 1987

Box 1, Folder 29

Issue Papers The Master Plan Renewed, August 1987 (Book)

 

San José State University Master Plan Materials Series II: 1955-1976

Physical Description: 1.0 Box

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence, newspaper clippings and blueprints concerning the San José State University Master Plan from 1962. The San José State University Master Plan called for street closures, land purchases and new buildings. Not all of the proposed plans were completed in the plan's 15 year time frame because of failure to obtain San José City Council approval, state budgetary constraints or public opposition. Some of the proposed plans were completed after the conclusion of the Master Plan survey, including the plan to close 7th street to vehicular traffic. A copy of the plan from the California State Architect’s office has visual renderings of the proposed plans.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date range.
Box 2, Folder 1

SJSC Master Plan, Campus Planning Buildings and Grounds; circa 1960

Box 2, Folder 2

SJSC Master Plan (Portfolio) circa 1960

Box 2, Folder 3

SJSC Master Plan Administration Papers 1960-1962

Box 2, Folder 4

Master Plan Newspaper Clippings 1962-1963

Box 2, Folder 5

Master Plan: SJSU Preliminary Presentation, October 1962

Box 2, Folder 6

Master Plan Revisions, October 5, 1962

Box 2, Folder 7

SJSC Master Plan Administrative Papers, 1963

Box 2, Folder 8

SJSC Long Range Development Plan Cost Estimates, February 1963

Box 2, Folder 9

Master Plan Administrative Papers 1964, and Undated

Box 2, Folder 10

Management Flexibility circa 1970

Box 2, Folder 11

Master Plan Summary, October 20, 1976

Box 3, Folder 1

San Jose State College Master Plan State Division of Architecture, 1950s

drawer 05-07, Folder 1

Map of Campus for Dr. Robert Clark, September 15, 1964

drawer 05-07, Folder 2

SJSC Master Plan Blue Prints (Packet)

drawer 05-07, Folder 3

Over-sized Blue Print "Master Plan San Jose State College," December 23, 1955