Description
The San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records (1899-1972 [bulk 1950-1972]) document the general administrative
functions of the Office of the President. The records consist of budget reports, committee files, photographs, and correspondence.
Also included are materials pertaining to several controversial events on campus, such as the 1957 athletics controversy,
the St. John Dixon admittance case, and records of discrimination involving Greek societies, housing facilities, and hiring
practices at San José State College. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. General Files, 1899-1972 (bulk
1950-1972); and Series II. Statistical Reports, 1915-1935.
Background
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
Jose, 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.
The Office of Administration traces its roots to the Minns' Evening Normal School. The growth and transition from the Normal
School to a university system requires a complex administrative system to manage the university. The President of the University
plays a primary role overseeing all of the administrative functions, in concert with academic vice presidents and the academic
senate. From 1921 through 1964 SJSU presidents were the sole decision makers regarding administrative functions. However,
changes began in President Wahlquist's (1952-1964) tenure when he permitted the Faculty Council (later the Academic Senate)
to be formed in 1952. During President Clark's (1964-1969) tenure the practice of shared governance came into effect, with
the president of the university sharing administrative powers with the university faculty. In order to address student protests
related to Civil Rights issues, President Clark (1964-1969) also established the position of Ombudsman to improve communication
between the administration and student body; San José State University was the first CSU campus to appoint an Ombudsman.
Extent
29 boxes
(36.25 linear feet)
Restrictions
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.
Availability
The collection is open for research.