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San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records
MSS.2009.04.01  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Processing Information
  • Project Information
  • Organizational History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Arrangement

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: SJSU Special Collections & Archives
    Title: San Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records
    creator: San José State College Presidential Office Administration Division
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2009.04.01
    Physical Description: 29 boxes (36.25 linear feet)
    Date (bulk): Bulk, 1950-1972
    Date (inclusive): 1899-1972
    Abstract: 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.

    Access

    The collection is open for research.

    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 Jose State College Presidential Office Administrative Records, MSS-2009-04-01, San José State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

    Processing Information

    Collection processed and 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 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.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    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 Jose State College.

    Arrangement

    This collection is arranged into two series: Series I. General Files, 1899-1972 (bulk 1950-1972); and Series II. Statistical Reports, 1915-1935.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Education, Higher -- California -- San José
    Race discrimination -- California -- San José
    San José State College Presidential Office Administration Division
    California State University, San José -- History
    San Jose State College
    San José State Normal School -- History
    San José State Teachers College -- History
    San José State University -- History
    San José State University. Athletics Dept. -- History
    San José State University. President's Office. Administration -- History
    San José State University. President's Office. Administration -- Records and correspondence