Coykendall, Frederick, files, 1911-1954., 9/1911-3/1954

Containers:
Box 345, Folder 1 to 10
Extent:
Scope and content:

Correspondence between Frederick Coykendall, a trustee of Columbia University, the president and other high level University administrators, trustees, and donors. Coykendall served as an alumni trustee and trustee from 1916 to 1954. He was a member of the committees on finance and education and served as chairman of the board from 1933 until his death in 1954.

Correspondence relates to a wide range of topics including: the merger of Columbia University's medical school with Presbyterian Hospital; University finances and debt service; and the transition period between the administration of long-time University president, Nicholas Murray Butler, to the administrations of University presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Grayson Kirk. Correspondence dating from 1911 to 1924 relates to the merger between Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons and Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Topics include: the organization of the medical school, the funding and purchase of a location for the new medical school and hospital, proposed facilities and curricula, and other issues related to the establishment, funding, and administration of the new organization. Much of the correspondence consists of copies of letters from trustees, University administratiors, the dean of the medical school, and the general Education Board which were fowarded to Coykendall for his comments.

Records dating from the 1920s to the 1940s deal with a range of University-related issues. These include: correspondence and reports (ca. 1924-1940) regarding the publications, administration, income, and publication costs of the Columbia University Press; correspondence regarding University finances and debt service, gifts to the University, and the management of special funds; and correspondence and reports (ca. 1930 to the early 1940s) documenting the work of University Patent, Inc. which was run by Columbia in order to secure patents for work done by University faculty members. Also includes correspondence and reports from the 1930s which document the work of the Committee on Residence Halls and Dining Halls and correspondence (ca. 1942-1943) relating to the creation of a comptroller's office, which was established to oversee certain administrative tasks and the manage University's buildings and grounds.

Much of the correspondence dating from the mid 1940s to 1954 deals with routine trustee business. However, records from this period also include some correspondence regarding the retirement of President Butler, the selection of Dwight D. Eisenhower as president of the University, Eisenhower's resignation, and the inaugural of Grayson Kirk as president. Includes a letter dating from February 3, 1949 in which Eisenhower discusses the role of higher education in combating communism

Physical description:
(10 Folders)

Access and use

Parent restrictions:

Due to the nature of these records, Central Files are closed for 25 years after their creation.

This collection is located onsite.

Parent terms of access:
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
uarchives@columbia.edu