Guide to the San José State University Office of the President, Robert L. Caret Records MSS-2009-07-02
Finding aid funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
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 Office of the President, Robert L. Caret Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2009-07-02
Physical Description:
4 boxes
(4.5 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1994-2003
Date (bulk): 1994-1999
Abstract: The Office of the President, Robert L. Caret Records, 1994-2003 (bulk 1994-1999), document his inauguration in 1995, as well
as the role he played in the reinstatement of the ROTC and AFROTC programs at the university in 1997. The records consist
of newspaper clippings, contracts, correspondence, datebooks, photographs, and publications.
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 Office of the President, Robert L. Caret Records, MSS-2009-07-02, San José State University Library,
Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Thomas Stamps. Finding aid EAD encoded by Mary Ellen Petrich. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen.
Accrual added to Series I by Eilene Lueck in April 2023.
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.
Robert L. Caret assumed the responsibilities as president of San José State University on February 6, 1995. Dr. Caret previously
held the position of provost and executive vice president at Towson State University in Maryland. He received his bachelor's
degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Suffolk University in 1969, and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University
of New Hampshire in 1974. We wrote five textbooks on chemistry, and co-authored the book,
Myths and Realities in Higher Education Administration (1990). While president of San José State (1995-2003), Caret played a major role in acquiring funds for the university, and
brought a vision for SJSU as the metropolitan university of Silicon Valley. Working side by side with former San José Mayor
Susan Hammer, Caret also initiated a partnership with the City of San José to create the jointly designed, constructed and
managed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which opened in 2003.
Related Material
Susan Hammer Papers, MSS-2007-04-01, San José State University, Special Collections & Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Office of the President is the highest administrative office for the campus, reporting to the California State University
(CSU) Chancellor and Board of Trustees, respectively. As such, the Office of the President records document the overall policies,
practices and procedures of the daily operation of the campus, as well as the interaction with other CSU campuses and with
the CSU administration. The President's Office, Robert L. Caret Records 1962-2003 (bulk 1994-1999) document his inauguration
in 1995 as well as the role he played in the reinstatement of the ROTC and AFROTC programs at the university in 1997. The
records consist of newspaper clippings, contracts, correspondence, datebooks, photographs, and publications.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. Professional Activities and Publicity, 1995-2003 (bulk 1994-1998);
and Series II. ROTC Subject Files, 1984-1999 (bulk 1994-1997).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States. Army. Reserve Officers' Training Corps
United States. Air Force ROTC
Education, Higher -- California -- San José
Caret, Robert L.
San José State University. President's Office -- History
San José State University. President's Office -- Records and correspondence
California State University, San José -- History
San José State University -- History
Series I. Professional Activities and Publicity Series I:
1994-2003
( bulk 1994-1998)
Physical Description: 2 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series documents the inauguration of President Caret (1994-2003) as well as his involvement on the Board of Directors
for organizations such as the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (M.E.S.A.) program and the San José Repertory
Theatre. The series also contains bulletins and correspondence, newspaper clippings, family and professional photographs,
as well as photographs of previous SJSU presidents. Sub-series 3. Awards and Commendations contains booklets and plaques awarded
to and by the university, including the Tower Award Dinner.
Arrangement
This series is arranged by format.
Box 1
Sub-series 1. Articles and Photographs
1995-2002
Box 2, Box 4
Sub-series 2. Administrative Papers
1994-2003
Box 1
Sub-series 3. Awards and Commendations
1997, 2002
Box 3
Series II. ROTC Subject Files Series II:
1984-1999
(bulk 1994-1997)
Physical Description: 1 Box
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series documents the disassociation of San José State University from the ROTC and AFROTC programs in 1994, as well as
the role President Caret played in the reinstatement of the programs at the university in 1997. The series contains correspondence,
newspaper clippings, contracts, and other legal documents.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date within each folder.
