Guide to the San José State University Scrapbook Collection

SJSU Library 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
© 2010
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.

Guide to the San José State University Scrapbook Collection

Collection number: MSS-2010-03-04



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).

Date Completed:
2010
Encoded by:
Robert Donahue
© 2010 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: San José State University Scrapbook Collection
Dates: 1884-1999
Bulk Dates: 1931-1971
Collection number: MSS-2010-03-04
Creator: San José State University
Collection Size: 78 Boxes (89.42 Linear Feet)
Repository: San José State University. Library.
San José, California 95192-0028
Abstract: The San José State University Scrapbook Collection 1884-1999 (bulk 1931-1971) consists of over two hundred scrapbooks documenting one hundred and fifteen years of the university's history. Created by entities such as the Spartan Marching Band, the Foreign Students Club, and Greek letter organizations, the scrapbooks are comprised primarily of newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemeral items chronicling campus athletics, clubs and organizations, academic programs and departments, events and celebrations, and general activities of the student body. This collection is arranged into seven series: Series I. Clubs & Organizations, 1884-1975 (bulk 1953-1974); Series II. Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 1937; Series III. Executive Dean's Office, 1954-1971; Series IV. General University History, 1928-1999; Series V. Library, 1934-1966; Series VI. Sports, 1933-1939, 1981-1999; and Series VII. Summer Session, 1931-1939, 1949-1967.
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 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. Copyright restrictions may 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 Scrapbook Collection, MSS-2010-03-04, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Processing History

Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. 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.

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.
San José State University. About SJSU. http://www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/ 
Walsh, James P. San José State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. San José, California: San José State University, 2003.

Related Material

San José State University Campus Events Collection, MSS-2010-02-04, San José State University Special Collections & Archives.
San José State University Student Organization Records, MSS-2009-03-09, San José State University Special Collections & Archives.
San José State University Public Relations and Publications Records, MSS-2009-03-11, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
San José State University Office of University Relations Records, MSS-2009-03-06, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Scope and Content of Collection

The San José State University Scrapbook Collection 1884-1999 (bulk 1931-1971) consists of over two hundred scrapbooks documenting one hundred and fifteen years of the university's history. Created by entities such as the Spartan Marching Band, the Foreign Students Club, and Greek letter organizations, the scrapbooks are comprised primarily of newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemeral items chronicling campus athletics, clubs and organizations, academic programs and departments, events and celebrations, and general activities of the student body.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into seven series: Series I. Clubs & Organizations, 1884-1975 (bulk 1953-1974); Series II. Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 1937; Series III. Executive Dean's Office, 1954-1971; Series IV. General University History, 1928-1999; Series V. Library, 1934-1966; Series VI. Sports, 1933-1939, 1981-1999; and Series VII. Summer Session, 1931-1939, 1949-1967.

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 Normal School -- History
San José State Teachers College -- History
San Jose State College -- History
California State University, San José -- History
San José State University -- History
San José State University -- Anniversaries, ect.
San José State University -- Students
San José State University -- Sports -- History
Greek letter societies -- California -- San Jose
Students -- Social life and customs
Students -- Societies
Education, Higher -- California -- San José


 

Series I:  Clubs & Organizations 1884-1975 (bulk 1953-1974)

Physical Description: 19 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting various university clubs and organizations. The scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemeral items collected by organizations such as the Spartan Marching Band, Greek letter societies, the Associated Women Students, the Black Masque secret society, and the Homecoming Committee. The subjects covered in these scrapbooks include dinner parties, club initiations, news stories related to a club's activities, and photographs of the club members at various events.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Box 1

Associated Women Students, Alpha Phi Omega, Senior Journal 1884, 1959-1961

Box 2

Clara Hinze, Former Faculty Member at San José State Normal School 1907-1908

Box 3

The Great Leons 1909-1922

Box 4

San José State Teacher's College Alumni Elgie Ogier 1916-1948

Box 5

Guestbook, Vietnamese Scholarship Program, Spartan Spears, Kappa Sigma, SJSU Marching Band, National Spurs 1920-1972

Box 6

San Jose Players 1928-1932

Box 7

Alpha Phi Omega 1939-1948

Box 8

Black Masque Society 1940-1952

Box 9

Kappa Sigma Levi, SJSU Homecoming Committee 1944-1962

Box 10

SJSU Class Officers, Ladies of the Mary George House 1945-1949

Box 11

Alpha Phi Omega, Gamma Beta Data, Homecoming Committee, Mendel Society 1952-1975

Box 12

San Jose State College President John Thomas Wahlquist Inauguration Committee 1953

Box 13

Kappa Tau Fraternity 1953-1955

Box 14

Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Chi Epsilon 1953-1964

Box 15

Foreign Students Program 1955-1974

Box 16

Elk's Lodge, Foreign Students Program, Blood Drive 1956-1959

Box 17

Foreign Students Program 1958-1963

Box 18

SJSU President Robert D. Clark Inauguration - Congratulatory Correspondence 1965

Box 19

SJSU Office of the Academic Vice President 1972-1974

 

Series II:  Diamond Jubilee Celebration 1937

Physical Description: 1 Box

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, the 75th anniversary of San Jose State College. The scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings and print materials chronicling the planning and execution of the Diamond Jubilee. The Diamond Jubilee was held May 20th - May 22nd, 1937. Some of the events covered in the scrapbooks include the planning and performance of the play Peer Gynt, newspaper articles promoting the Diamond Jubilee, letters from public officials such as the State Board of Education indicating whether or not they will attend the Jubilee, and financial reports detailing the cost of the Diamond Jubilee. This series also includes photographs of Jubilee events, such as the swimming extravaganza and the student art exhibition.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Box 20

Diamond Jubilee 1937

 

Series III:  Executive Dean's Office 1954-1971

Physical Description: 2 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks created by the Executive Dean's Office. The scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings documenting such issues as campus administration, policies and personnel, as well as general news related to the University. Some of the subjects included in the scrapbooks include articles on the growth of San Jose State College and campus expansion in the 1960s, construction of the first campus parking garage, the closing of 7th street through campus, and the San Jose State College Master Plan for Education. Researchers interested in the history of Tower Hall will find documentation on the "Save Tower Hall" movement, which was organized to protest the slated demolition of the Tower due to structural deficiencies. Students and alumni testified before the College Board of State Trustees to save the Tower from demolition. As a result, Tower Hall was refurbished and reopened in 1966. In 2007, Tower Hall was restored once again, and is now registered with the California Office of Historic Preservation as a historical landmark.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Boxes 21-22

Executive Dean's Office 1954-1971

 

Series IV:  General University History 1928-1999

Physical Description: 25 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting San José State University history from several different sources, such as the San José Mercury News and student publications. The scrapbooks chronicle events and news concerning the University, and include topics such as performances and events, crime statistics, and campus unrest. Some subjects include purchasing and relocating the University Library into the Carnegie building owned by the City of San José, a series of kidnappings of students by rival colleges during senior sneak days, the closing of San Carlos Street through campus, the arrest of SJSU student Charles Ng for 12 counts of torture and murder, the Coach Zimmerman wrongful termination/gender discrimination suit, presidential candidate Bill Clinton's 1992 visit to Silicon Valley, and the investigation of former military base Fort Ord as a potential site for the CSU, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) campus.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Boxes 23-65

General University History 1928-1999

 

Series V:  Library 1934-1966

Physical Description: 2 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting the history of the University Library. The scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings chronicling library events, general information, and collection development, and also include ephemeral items from special events held at the library. Subjects in the scrapbooks include the hiring and retiring of library personnel, planned book talks, the addition of materials such as music, film, and microfilm to the library's general collections, the donation of poet Edwin Markham's materials to the SJSU archives, and the adoption of the Library of Congress classification system. In addition, there is some documentation on the Library censoring access to adult materials in the 1960s. The Library responded to the accusation of censorship by claiming that the materials were behind locked doors for their protection.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Boxes 66-67

San José State University Library 1934-1966

 

Series VI:  Sports 1933-1939, 1981-1999

Physical Description: 9 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting University sports during the 1930s, 1980s, and 1990s. The scrapbooks include newspaper clippings chronicling games, athletes, and department personnel, as well as departmental issues such as athletic funding. Some stories mentioned include the hiring and performance of football coach Dave Baldwin in the 1990s, the proposed elimination of men's gymnastics and tennis from the athletics program, and various articles covering Spartan games, matches and tournaments.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Boxes 68-76

San José State University Sports 1933-1939, 1981-1999

 

Series VII:  Summer Session 1931-1939, 1949-1967

Physical Description: 2 Boxes

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains scrapbooks documenting the university's Summer Session program. The scrapbooks include newspaper clippings and other print materials documenting events, lectures, and art performances, as well as campus news. This series also includes newspaper articles published during the summer months, which feature topics such as changes in the University administration, merit pay, campus expansion, and San Jose State College obtaining university status. Of note, there is an interesting account of San Jose State College student Margret Aley's summer in Mississippi where she and other black civil rights activists were jailed and harassed, various other civil rights-related news stories, the appointment of Robert D. Clark as president of San Jose State College in 1964, and the successful movement to save Tower Hall from demolition in the 1960s.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by date.
Boxes 77-78

San José State University Summer Session 1931-1939, 1949-1967