III.1. Committee on Instruction (COI), 1908-2022

Scope and content:

In March of 1900, the Committee on Instruction (COI) was organized by Seth Low (President, 1890-1901) and consisted of Barnard and Columbia administrative and faculty members. In the beginning, in addition to overseeing the departments and their courses, the faculty discussed primarily students with entrance conditions and deficiencies. Later COI meetings addressed a variety of other educational issues. (Committee on Instruction, 1900-2017; Barnard College Archives and Special Collections, Barnard Library, Barnard College: 3)

The Committee on Instruction Minutes provide an account of the interactions, goals and purpose of Columbia College's Committee on Instruction. This collection enables access to a variety of information on students enrolled in Columbia College (1908-1989). The minutes of the Committee of Instruction provides access to resolutions passed by the committee, and information on the monitoring of student activity, such as students who had not registered and students who were placed on academic probation. Included in the minutes are copies of letters sent to students regarding their academic probation and reports from professors on course information.

Please note that additional Committee on Instruction (COI) materials are located in Series I and Series IV. Note that there are no COI minutes for 1996-1997 or 2002-2003.

Biographical / historical:

The COI is chaired by the Associate Provost. In addition to the chair, the committee consists of two faculty members from each of the four faculty voting groups: the Dean of the College, the Dean of Students, and the Registrar. The Dean of Library and Information Services and a representative from Development also attend. A maximum of four students sit on the COI at any one time: the Academic Affairs Representative, who is elected by the members of the SGA for a one year term, and three appointed students, who serve two-year terms. (Id.at 4)

Arrangement:

Subseries III.1 Committee on Instruction (COI), 1908-2022, bulk dates: 1930-1979 is arranged overall in alphabetical order in (3) broad subject groupings: (1) Budgets (1960-1988), (2) Curriculum Review (1975-1989) and (3) Meeting Minutes (1908-1931, 1974-1976; 1979-1988). Under these three comprehensive categories, the folders within the series are organized overall in chronological order.

Contents

Access and use

Parent restrictions:

All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

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:
University Archives Home Page
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