Collection Guide
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San José State University Student Organizations Records
MSS.2009.03.09
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José State University Student Organizations Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2009.03.09
Physical Description:
12 boxes
(11.76 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1916-2011
Abstract: The San José State University Student Organization Records, 1916-2011, document various student body organizations over a
70-year period, such as the Associated Students, the Black Masque Honor Society, the Spartan Programs Committee, and various
Panhellenic and honorary fraternities and sororities. The records consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence,
flyers, programs, scrapbooks, handwritten scrolls, and meeting minutes.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections and 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 givenon behalf of the Special Collections and Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the
original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
San José State University Student Organization Records, MSS-2009-03-09, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Collection processed by Alicia Deadrick and Kimberly Koshiyama. EAD finding aid encoded by Robert Donahue and Kimberly Koshiyama.
Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen.
Accruals were added to Series II, and collection housing was consolidated, by Stephanie Watson, June 2016.
Accruals were added to Series II and IV (in Box 12) by Dana V. Lema in February 2018.
Accurals were added to Series II by Eilene Lueck in April 2023.
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.
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 Jose 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.
San José State University has been home to numerous student organizations throughout its 150-year history. SJSU student clubs
range from social groups to Greek letter societies, honor societies to academic and major-related clubs, and service and human
rights organizations. The Philomathean society is the oldest documented club on campus, with evidence of its existence prior
to 1876. Many of the initial Normal School and San José State Teachers College student organizations were related to literary
studies, oratory, and Christian missionary work. Panhellenic Greek societies were also present on campus during the nineteenth
century, including Chi Epsilon, Kappa Delta, Iota Phi, and Alpha Rho. In addition, an early form of student government, referred
to as the Student Body, was established on campus in 1898; it was subsequently renamed Associated Students in 1923. As of
2010, San José State University maintains over 300 active student clubs and organizations, including the service co-ed fraternity
Alpha Phi Omega, the Akbayan Pilipino American Organization, the History Club, the Badminton Club, and the Longboarding Club.
San José State University Associated Students Records, MSS-2009-08-01, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
San José State University Archives Scrapook Collection, MSS-2010-03-04, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
The San José State University Student Organization Records, 1916-2011 (bulk 1930-1940), document various student body organizations
over a 70-year period, such as the Associated Students, the Black Masque Honor Society, the Spartan Programs Committee, and
various Panhellenic and honorary fraternities and sororities. The records consist of newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence,
flyers, programs, scrapbooks, handwritten scrolls, and meeting minutes.
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Publications and Minutes; Series II. Greek Letter Societies; Series
III. Honor Societies; and Series IV. Other Student Organizations Materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
College students -- California -- San José -- Societies, etc.
California State University, San José -- History
Students -- Societies, etc.
San José State Teachers College -- History
San Joseé State Normal School -- History
San José State University -- Student Organizations -- History
San José State University -- History
Greek letter societies -- California -- San José
Education, Higher -- California -- San José
San Jose State College