Guide to the SJSU Office of the President: Hobert W. Burns Records MSS.2009.06.02

SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

San José State University

One Washington Square

San José, CA 95192-0028

special.collections@sjsu.edu

URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives

Title: San José State University Office of the President, Hobert W. Burns Records

Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2009.06.02

Physical Description: 8 boxes (8 linear feet)

Date (inclusive): 1961-1984

Abstract: 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 Office of the President, Hobert W. Burns Records, 1961-1984 (bulk 1969-1970), document his tenure as interim university president. The records consist of correspondence, manuscripts, meeting minutes and newspaper clippings. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees Materials, 1966-1984; and Series II: Administrative Files, 1961-1984.

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

San José State University Office of the President, Hobert W. Burns Records, MSS-2009-06-02, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

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.

Processing History

Collection processed and finding aid EAD encoded by Jane Gilvin. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen. Folder level description added to finding aid by Kate Steffens, November 2019.

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 bachelors and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

Hobert W. Burns was educated at Stanford University, and served as an administrator at Syracuse and Hofstra Universities before his appointment at San José State University as Dean of the College of Education in 1963. Hobert W. Burns (1969-1970) became acting president of SJSU after the unexpected departure of President Robert D. Clark (1964-1969) in May of 1969. Burns served as the interim president for one year before resigning in protest over the faculty's decision to ease academic standards in order to allow students more time to protest the Vietnam War. Previously, Burns was appointed by President Clark to the position of Academic Vice President in 1966. He returned to that post after his resignation as acting university president, and he retired from SJSU in 1983. Burns continued to support the University after retirement. He died October 14th, 2008.

Related Material

San José State University Faculty Papers of H. Brett Melendy, MSS-2009-05-01, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

San José State University Office of the President, Robert D. Clark Records, MSS-2009-08-03, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.

Scope and Content

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 San José State University Office of the President, Hobert W. Burns Records, 1961-1984 (bulk 1969-1970), document his tenure as interim university president. The records consist of correspondence, manuscripts, meeting minutes, and newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees Materials, 1966-1984; and Series II: Administrative Files, 1961-1984.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Education, Higher -- California -- San José.

College presidents -- California -- San José.

College administrators -- California -- San José.

California State University, San José -- History.

Burns, Hobert W., 1925-2008

San José State University -- History.

San Jose State College

San José State University President's Office -- Records and correspondence.

San José State University President's Office -- History.

Series I. California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees Materials 1966-1984

Series Scope and Content Summary

The materials in this series consist of correspondence, meeting minutes and polices of the California State University's (CSU) Board of Trustees. The correspondence documents topics such as the CSU's decision not to allow the use of its resources by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), as well as acting President Burns' (1969-1970) decision not to recognize the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) as a legitimate student organization.

Subseries 1. CSU Memorandums & Trustees Logs 1966-1984

Box 1, Folder 1

The Election of Executive Officers of the Associated Students of San Jose State College (1 of 2) 1969-1970

Box 1, Folder 2

The Election of Executive Officers of the Associated Students of San Jose State College (2 of 2) 1969-1970

Box 1, Folder 3

Trustee Policy: A-K (1 of 4) 1966-1974

Box 1, Folder 4

Trustee Policy: A-K (2 of 4) 1966-1974

Box 1, Folder 5

Trustee Policy: A-K (3 of 4) 1966-1974

Box 1, Folder 6

Trustee Policy: A-K (4 of 4) 1966-1974

Box 1, Folder 7

Dollars and Sense: Budget Reports 1970

Box 1, Folder 8

Trustees Log (1 of 2) July 1977-March 1979

Box 1, Folder 9

Trustees Log (2 of 2) July 1977-March 1979

Box 1, Folder 10

Trustees Log (1 of 2) April 1979-December 1980

Box 1, Folder 11

Trustees Log (2 of 2) April 1979-December 1980

Box 1, Folder 12

Expansion and Renovation of Engineering Facility 1984

Subseries 2. CSU Trustees Letters & Directives 1969-1970

Box 1, Folder 13

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees July 1969

Box 1, Folder 14

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees August 1969

Box 1, Folder 15

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees September 1969

Box 1, Folder 16

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees October 1969

Box 2, Folder 1

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees November 1969

Box 2, Folder 2

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees December 1969

Box 2, Folder 3

Letters and Directives from the Board of Trustees January 1970

Subseries 3. CSU Meeting Minutes & News Releases 1969-1970

Box 2, Folder 4

Student Affairs 1969

Box 2, Folder 5

News Releases 1969

Box 2, Folder 6

Trustees Minutes July 1969-June 1970

Box 2, Folder 7

Meeting of Board of Trustees July 8-9, 1969

Box 2, Folder 8

Meeting of Board of Trustees September 23-24, 1969

Box 2, Folder 9

Meeting of Board of Trustees October 28-29, 1969

Box 3, Folder 1

Meeting of Board of Trustees November 24-25, 1969

Box 3, Folder 2

Meeting of Board of Trustees January 27-28, 1970

Box 3, Folder 3

Meeting of Board of Trustees February 24-25, 1970

Box 3, Folder 4

Meeting of Board of Trustees March 24-25, 1970

Box 3, Folder 5

Meeting of Board of Trustees May 26-27, 1970

Series II. Administrative Files 1961-1984

Series Scope and Content Summary

The materials in this series consist of correspondence to and from acting President Burns (1969-1970), memoranda, newspaper clippings, and speeches. Among other subjects, this series documents the exploration of a joint doctorate program with UC Berkeley in Mexican American Studies, the attempts of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) to be recognized as a student group by the university, and appointment of the position of the Ombudsman. Also included are speeches and statements by Burns predecessor, President Robert D. Clark, as well as speeches and statements by Burns himself.

Subseries 1. Administrative Files 1968-1970

Box 3, Folder 6

Advisory Board: List of Members 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 7

Athletics: Intercollegiate 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 8

Bohnett, L.D.: Luncheon in Honor of May 6, 1970

Box 3, Folder 9

Burns, Dr. Hobert W.: Acting President Correspondence Concerning Appointment 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 10

Burns, Dr. Hobert W.: Vitae 1969

Box 3, Folder 11

Chicano Liberation Day 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 12

Clark, Robert D.: Resignation of Pres. Clark 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 13

Dominican Republic Aid Project 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 14

Environmental Sciences Institute 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 15

Faculty: Retirement 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 16

Gay Liberation Front 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 17

Gifts 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 18

Grants 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 19

Grants: Fulbright-Hays Program 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 20

Grants: Proposals 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 21

Grievance: Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 22

Grievance Cases: Misc 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 23

Grievance Cases (1 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 24

Grievance Cases (2 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 25

Grievance Cases (3 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 26

Grievance Cases (4 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 27

Grievance Cases (5 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 28

Grievance Cases (6 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 29

Grievance Cases (7 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 30

Grievance Cases (8 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 31

Grievance Cases (9 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 32

Grievance Cases (10 of 10) 1969-1970

Box 4, folder 1

Guadalupe Satellite College 1968-1969

Box 4, Folder 2

Institutional Research: Selection Committee for the Director of Institutional Research 1967-1968

Box 4, Folder 3

Internal Audit Activities 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 4

Legislature: Senate Bill 909 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 5

Legislature: Joint Committee on Higher Education 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 6

Legislators: President's Report to 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 7

Master Curricular Plan, SJSC 1965-1966, 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 8

Mexican-American Graduate Studies 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 9

Minorities: Programs 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 10

Ombudsman 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 11

President's Scholars: Teaching and Learning at San Jose State College 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 12

Ralph Rose Productions 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 13

Research Policy 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 14

School of Applied Sciences and Arts: Home Economics Dept. 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 15

School of Applied Sciences and Arts: Law Enforcement Dept. Development 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 16

School of Engineering: Dean 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 17

School of Engineering: Dean Search Committee 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 18

School of Engineering: Joint Doctoral Program 1969-1970

Box 3, Folder 19

School of Humanities: Anthropology Department 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 20

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Dean's Convocation 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 21

Smoking Regulations 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 22

Social Work, Graduate Dept. of 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 23

Speakers on Campus: William Kunstler 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 24

Spartan Cafeteria Strike 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 25

Special Cases 1968-1970

Box 4, Folder 26

Special Cases (1 of 6) 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 27

Special Cases (2 of 6) 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 28

Special Cases (3 of 6) 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 29

Special Cases (4 of 6) 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 30

Special Cases (5 of 6) 1964

Box 4, Folder 31

Special Cases (6 of 6) 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 32

State Merit Award Board 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 33

Statistical Report of the California State Colleges: #4 Enrollment by Age, Sex, and Class Level Fall 1968

Box 4, Folder 34

Statistical Report of the California State Colleges: #5 Winter Term Enrollment October 1969

Box 4, Folder 35

Statistical Report of the California State Colleges: #6 Spring Term Enrollment October 1969

Box 4, Folder 36

Statistical Report of the California State Colleges: #1 Summer Term Enrollment December 1969

Box 4, Folder 37

Student Fees 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 38

Student Protest: A Bibliography 1950-1969

Box 4, Folder 39

Student Unrest: Cambodia 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 40

Student Unrest: Clippings 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 41

Student Unrest: Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 42

SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 43

Survival Faire 1970

Box 4, Folder 44

Tenure: General Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 45

Trustees, Board of: Resolutions 1969-1970

Box 4, Folder 46

Undergraduate Studies: Degree Programs 1969-1970

Subseries 2. Correspondence & Clippings 1967-1970

Box 4, Folder 47

Correspondence File January 1970

Box 4, Folder 48

Correspondence File February 1970

Box 4, Folder 49

Correspondence File March 1970

Box 5, Folder 1

Correspondence File April 1970

Box 5, Folder 2

Correspondence File May 1970

Box 5, Folder 3

Correspondence File June 1970

Box 5, Folder 4

Edwards, Mr. Harry: Correspondence and Clippings 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 5

Experimental College: Correspondence and Clippings 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 6

Obituary of Hobert W. Burns October 17, 2008

Box 5, Folder 7

Promotions: Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 8

Record of College Business Delegated from Pres. Office 1967

Box 5, Folder 9

Record of College Business Delegated from Pres. Office 1968

Box 5, Folder 10

Record of College Business Delegated from Pres. Office 1969

Box 5, Folder 11

ROTC: Correspondence and Clippings 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 12

SCARs (State College Admissions/Registration Project): Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 13

University Status: Correspondence and Clippings 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 14

Viet Nam Convocation: Clippings October 1969

Box 5, Folder 15

Viet Nam Convocation: Correspondence and Notes October 1969

Subseries 3. Correspondence & Meeting Minutes 1961-1970

Box 5, Folder 16

Academic Council: Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 17

Academic Council: Executive Committee Meetings 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 18

Academic Council: Minutes Spring 1972

Box 5, Folder 19

Academic Council Policy Recommendations, Minutes, and Committees 1969-1970

Box 5, Folder 20

Academic Senate: Cal State Colleges 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 1

Advisory Board 1961-1966

Box 6, Folder 2

Coordinating Council for Higher Education 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 3

Correspondence File July 1969

Box 6, Folder 4

Correspondence File August 1969

Box 6, Folder 5

Correspondence File September 1969

Box 6, Folder 6

Correspondence File October-November 1969

Box 6, Folder 7

Correspondence File December 1969

Subseries 4. General Files 1964-1975

Box 6, Folder 8

Academic Planning: Committee to Choose Dean of 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 9

Academic Senate 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 10

Athletics: Interim Board 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 11

Black Liaison Committee 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 12

Blue Ribbon Committee on Continuation, Tenure, and Promotions Standards and Procedures 1970

Box 6, Folder 13

Campus Planning Committee 1968-1970

Box 6, Folder 14

Chancellor's Office: Chancellor's Council of State College Presidents 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 15

Chancellor's Office: Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Development of Policies & Administrative Procedures 1965

Box 6, Folder 16

College Graduate Committee 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 17

College Union Board of Governors 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 18

Committee for Academic Responsibility 1967-1968

Box 6, Folder 19

Computer Center: Ad Hoc Committee for Director of Computer Center Successor 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 20

Computer Guidance Committee: Ad Hoc 1969-1970

Box 6, Folder 21

Contingency Planning Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 1

Coordinating Council for Higher Ed: The Undergraduate Student and His Higher Education 1969

Box 7, Folder 2

Council of 110 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 3

Dean of Students Selection Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 4

Enrollment: Statistics 1964-1965

Box 7, Folder 5

Foundation, SJSC: Board of Directors 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 6

Foundation, SJSC: Minutes, Board of Directors 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 7

Grievance: Chancellor's Grievance Review 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 8

Grievance: College Grievance Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 9

Health Physics Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 10

Housing: Director of Housing Selection Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 11

Library: Ad Hoc Committee on Administrative Structure and Personnel Policies in the Library 1968-1969

Box 7, Folder 12

Minutes and Correspondence for Graduate Studies 1963-1966

Box 7, Folder 13

Mission and Goals Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 14

Presidential Selection Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 15

Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Recruitment 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 16

Residence of Students: California State Colleges 1964-1965

Box 7, Folder 17

Review of Senior Administrative Officers 1973

Box 7, Folder 18

Security: University Police Department April 1975

Box 7, Folder 19

Space Allocation Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 20

Staff Council: Correspondence 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 21

Staff Council: Minutes of Meetings 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 22

Trustees of the California State Colleges 1960-1964

Box 7, Folder 23

Student Fees: A Background Paper 1965

Box 7, Folder 24

Undergraduate Studies Committee 1969-1970

Box 7, Folder 25

UPC (United Professors of California): Charges of Anti-Semitism 1973

Subseries 5. Speeches and Statements of President Robert D. Clark 1966-1969

Box 7, Folder 26

Documents Supporting Statement to the Assembly Education Subcommittee on Educational Environment March 18, 1969

Box 7, Folder 27

Memo: Absences Because of the Strike January 16, 1969

Box 7, Folder 28

Memo: Clarification of College Position on AFT Strike January 24, 1969

Box 7, Folder 29

Memo: Faculty Strike December 31, 1968

Box 7, Folder 30

Memo: Proposals Developed by Representatives of AFT Local 1362, and Representatives of SJSC February 8, 1969

Box 7, Folder 31

Memo: Settlement of the Strike February 21, 1969

Box 7, Folder 32

Memo: To the Faculty on Teaching Load 1968

Box 7, Folder 33

Memo: To Faculty on Pay Problems for Professors who were on Strike March 11, 1969

Box 7, Folder 34

Memo: To Faculty on the Resignation of President Clark May 2, 1969

Box 7, Folder 35

News Release: SJSC President Robert D. Clark Accepts Presidency of University of Oregon May 2, 1969

Box 7, Folder 36

Press Release: Administrative Positions on Campus Concerns November 22, 1968

Box 7, Folder 37

Press Release: AFT Strike at SJSC Ends February 13, 1969

Box 7, Folder 38

Press Release: Resignation Statement May 2, 1969

Box 7, Folder 39

Press Release: Student-Faculty Liaison Committee May 23, 1969

Box 7, Folder 40

Press Release: Violence on Campus May 22, 1969

Box 7, Folder 41

Speech: Bearded Youth and the Stereotype Gray Flannel March 1967

Box 7, Folder 42

Speech: Commemorative Address at 110 Anniversary Dinner May 28, 1968

Box 7, Folder 43

Speech: to the General Faculty Meeting September 16, 1968

Box 8, Folder 1

Speeches 1966

Box 8, Folder 2

Speeches 1967

Box 8, Folder 3

Speeches 1968

Box 8, Folder 4

Speeches 1969

Box 8, Folder 5

Statement: AFT Charges of Racism at SJSC January 15, 1969

Box 8, Folder 6

Statement: AFT Strike Position Statements Advanced for Discussion February 7, 1969

Box 8, Folder 7

Statement: AFT Strikers Absent from the Classroom January 15, 1969

Box 8, Folder 8

Statement: AWOL Section of the Education Code January 20, 1969

Box 8, Folder 9

Statement: The College Crisis December 18, 1967

Box 8, Folder 10

Statement: Discussions with AFT January 20, 1969

Box 8, Folder 11

Statement: Enrollment Crisis November 18, 1968

Box 8, Folder 12

Statement: Faculty on Strike- AFT Strike Statement February 3, 1969

Box 8, Folder 13

Statement: Free Speech October 10, 1967

Box 8, Folder 14

Statement: Mexican-American Student Demonstrations at Commencement Ceremony June 13-14, 1968

Box 8, Folder 15

Statement: Outlining the Position of the College on various issues December 5, 1968

Box 8, Folder 16

Statement: Police on Campus November 27, 1968

Box 8, Folder 17

Statement: Position Statements Advanced by the AFT February 12, 1969

Box 8, Folder 18

Statement: President's Report Fall 1966

Box 8, Folder 19

Statement: on Problems of Faculty and Student Unrest at SJSC March 18, 1969

Box 8, Folder 20

Statement: Proposals to Striking AFT Faculty January 18, 1969

Box 8, Folder 21

Statement: on Proposed Strike December 31, 1968

Box 8, Folder 22

Statement: Racial Discrimination September 27, 1967

Box 8, Folder 23

Statement: Racial Discrimination Against Black Athletes September 20, 1967

Box 8, Folder 24

Statement: Racial Discrimination Crisis September 21, 1967

Box 8, Folder 25

Statement: Racial Discrimination in Housing September 14, 1967

Box 8, Folder 26

Statement: SJSC to Temporarily Cancel Classes Scheduled to be Taught in Spring Semester February 11, 1969

Box 8, Folder 27

Statement: on Student Demonstrations October 12, 1967

Box 8, Folder 28

Statement: to Students on Strike January 3, 1969

Box 8, Folder 29

Statements from Office of President December 4, 1968

Subseries 6. Speeches and Statements of President Hobert W. Burns 1969-1970

Box 8, Folder 30

Elections for Executive Officers of the Associated Students of SJSC October 13, 1969

Box 8, Folder 31

Freshman Camp Speech September 12, 1969

Box 8, Folder 32

Memo: A Research Design for a Study on the Procurement and Retention of a Quality Faculty, and a Proposed New Salary Structure for Faculty December 2, 1969

Box 8, Folder 33

Memo: Documentation of Tenure Recommendations November 26, 1969

Box 8, Folder 34

People's Park Statement April 14, 1970

Box 8, Folder 35

President Burns' Speech to the General Faculty September 15, 1969

Box 8, Folder 36

The Presidential Staff 1969-1970

Box 8, Folder 37

Remarks by Acting President Hobert W. Burns to the Academic Council May 18, 1970

Box 8, Folder 38

Remarks by President Burns to the NCAA January 12, 1970

Box 8, Folder 39

Statement by Hobert W. Burns, Acting President May 12, 1970

Box 8, Folder 40

Statement to the Academic Council May 14, 1970

Box 8, Folder 41

Support Staff Members September 2, 1969