Rick Shur papers, 1949-2016, bulk 1970-2003

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Series II: Columbia University, 1971-1998

Series II collects materials documenting Shur's relationship to Columbia University as a Columbia College undergraduate, a Teacher's College student, and an active alumnus. Subseries II.1 includes his coursework papers, administrative correspondence, and journals and personal writings from his undergraduate years, as well as some material from his time at Teacher's College and a patron of Columbia facilities afterwards. Of particular interest are materials related to the two surveys of sexual behavior and gay identity he conducted in 1973-1974. Subseries II.2 includes organizational records, correspondence, and other files documenting his founding and leadership of Gay Alumni of Columbia (GAOC) in the 1980s-1990s, including the group's campaign against the campus ROTC for its anti-gay policies.


Subseries II.1: Columbia Student Papers, 1971-1998



Box 5 Folder 15 Columbia College records, circa 1971-1975

Papers related to withdrawal and on readmission (1973-1975), Dean's List letter, transcript, grades, financial aid


Box 5 Folder 16 "Columbia College Legal/Disciplinary", 1972

Documents related to Shur's disciplinary proceedings with the Dean's office for allegedly participating in a 1972 anti-war protest on campus: correspondence from Dean's office, Manual of Tribunal Procedure, University Statutes booklet, copy of notarized court settlement, Faculty Resolution on Interim Rules relating to rallies and picketing


Box 5 Folder 17 Undergraduate coursework, 1971-1975

Typed papers written for Columbia courses in philosophy, psychology, literature, French, CC, linguistics, and others; some handwritten notes; exam blue books. Of interest: "Age of Sensation… Revisited" (includes comparative discussion of methodology and conclusions of Columbia Gay Survey); "Sex Roles and Educational Interference," "An Essay on the Nature of Human Love."


Box 5 Folder 18 Admissions documents, circa 1971

Approximately 30 "reader ratings" documents from interviews with prospective Columbia undergraduate students, including handwritten comments; some include later annotations in black marker (possibly by Shur?), highlighting attitudes related to race, class, and other variables within the comments



Box 6 Folder 1 Columbia Gay Surveys, 1973-1974

In 1973, Shur conducted an anonymous survey on heterosexual and homosexual experiences of male undergraduates in Carman Hall, receiving about 100 responses. The results were analyzed and published by the Educational Committee of Gay People at Columbia-Barnard (GPCB) in November 1973. Shur conducted a subsequent survey specifically for gay men, circulated at dances organized by GPCB and by the Gay Activists Alliance, receiving 359 respondents. Shur analyzed the responses in an academic paper ("Age, Experience, Promiscuity, Genitality, and Relations With Parents Among Gay Men," May 1974), and GPCB published an analysis as "A New Gay Survey" in November 1974. This folder contains 16 completed response forms from the first survey; copies of the report ("Survey of Sexual Experiences and Homophobia") based on the survey; two copies of the Gay Men's Questionnaire from the second survey; a copy of Shur's academic paper ("Age, Experience…"), and two copies of the GPCB "A New Gay Survey" report.


Box 6 Folder 2 "A Comparative Study of Gay Liberationists and Columbia Homosexuals", 1972

Copy of January 1972 "Comparative Study of Gay Liberationists and Columbia Homosexuals" by Morty Manford


Box 6 Folder 3-4 Miscellaneous undergraduate writings, circa 1971-1975, 2 folders

Handwritten and typed writings including dramatic scripts and dialogues, short stories and poetry (some on erotic themes), letters, gay political essays. Of interest: includes undated typescript (circa 1973) "Prelude to a Homosexual Career", in which Shur reflects on his early life, family, and time in Mexico, including discussion of the diary located in Series I.2 [Box 1, Folder 11].


Box 6 Folder 5 Other miscellaneous undergraduate-era material, circa 1970-1977

Three drawings, miscellaneous hand-written notes, postcards, "Summer '71" Columbia University newspaper, 1977 undergraduate poetry publication, Selective Service form, doctor's letter, New York Times article on class of 1974



Box 24 Folder 1 Teacher's College, circa 1978-1985

Recommendations for admission, correspondence, exam record, "Standard (American) English Speakers' Mitigated Requests for the Bathroom" (1979), "Knowledge, Use, and Avoidance of Relative Clauses" by Bruce Ballard (1985), and other papers written for TC courses circa 1978-1979; "Silent Way" practicum–journal with teacher comments from spring 1979.


Box 24 Folder 2 Lesbians and Gays at Teachers College, circa 1986-1993

Papers relating to lesbian and gay organizing at TC, including correspondence with Columbia administration and TESOL officials, event flyers, needs survey, complaint letters, "A History and Handbook for Lesbians and Gays at Teachers College" by Bruce Ballard (1990), and other materials.


Box 24 Folder 3 Columbia alumni papers, circa 1983-1998

Papers relating to alumni use of Columbia facilities, 1983 Summer Guide to the Columbia Community, 1991 Guide to the Columbia University Libraries, campus maps, building schedules, Alumni Association pamphlet, Class of 1975 Reunion announcement, etc.


Box 24 Folder 4-5 GHAP Training Manual, circa 1996, 2 folders

Manual for volunteers with Columbia's Gay Health Advocacy Project, consisting of articles on various topics related to HIV/AIDS, condom use and safer sex, college students, medication, counseling, etc. Originally housed in a three-ring binder.


Subseries II.2: Gay Alumni of Columbia Organizational Files, 1984-95, 1984-1995



Box 6 Folder 6 GAOC Articles of Association, 1985


Box 6 Folder 7 GAOC Meeting Notes, 1985-1986

Meeting agendas and notes for GAOC business meetings, event flyer


Box 6 Folder 8 GAOC Newsletters, 1984-1986

Copies of and materials for GAOC newsletters


Box 6 Folder 9 GAOC Newsletters, 1988-1993

Copies of and materials for GAOC newsletters, undated flyer and insert


Box 6 Folder 10 GAOC Financial Records, 1985-1991

NY State business certificate, bank statements, checks written to other activist and community organizations; IRS/NY Department of Revenue correspondence; treasurer printouts and handwritten notes describing expenses, orders for advertising in Columbia Spectator


Box 6 Folder 11 Columbia Lesbian and Gay Association (CLGA) and GAOC Summer Dances, 1985

Expenses printouts, handwritten notes, receipts, and clippings related to 1985 dances organized by gay student and alumni groups


Box 6 Folder 12-13 GAOC Members, circa 1985-1994, 2 folders

Correspondence, member information forms, printouts of names and addresses, and other papers related to GAOC membership


Box 6 Folder 14 GAOC Correspondence, 1984-1986

Letters to/from alums, to/from politicians, and various flyers, announcements, pamphlets, and other materials. Includes copies of a newsletter for gay Christian Scientists, 1984-1985.


Box 6 Folder 15 GAOC Correspondence, 1987-1995

Letters to/from alums, to/from politicians, and various flyers, announcements, pamphlets, and other materials


Box 6 Folder 16 GAOC Gay Rights Advocacy, 1985-1988

Correspondence with New York City politicians and media, Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights materials, news articles, and other papers related to New York City gay rights bill and advocacy against anti-gay violence


Box 6 Folder 17 Campus Military Campaign, circa 1984-1993

Papers related to campaign led by Shur against anti-gay discrimination in the military on Columbia's campus: newspaper clippings, newsletters, correspondence, info on Columbia administration and governance, University Senate resolutions, press list, etc.


Box 6 Folder 18 GAOC and other groups, circa 1984-1989

Papers related to other LGBTQ organizations with which GAOC collaborated or networked, including New York City Pride March, National March on Washington, Committee for Lesbian and Gay Rights (New York City), Gay Officers Action League, Network of Gay and Lesbian Alumni Associations, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, gay alumni groups at Yale, Dartmouth, and elsewhere, and others


Box 6 Folder 19 GAOC Stationary, circa 1985-1990

Copies of blank GAOC stationary, envelopes, and materials


Box 6 Folder 20 Columbia news clippings, 1968, 1987-1990

Miscellaneous clippings circa 1987-1990 on Columbia sports, administration, campus activism, etc.; Columbia Spectator special issue on AIDS (1990); interview with Mark Rudd (Evergreen Review, 1968).