Summer Session records, 1898-2006
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- UA#0310
- Bib ID:
- 13912534 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Columbia University. Summer Session
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 4.81 linear feet (2 document boxes and 4 record cartons)
- Language(s):
- English .
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
This collection has no restrictions.
The following box is located offsite: Box 1. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Single photocopies 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.
Description
Summary
This collection consists of the correspondence relating to a proposed summer school in 1898, administrative records of the Summer Session, and the Summer Session bulletins or announcements.
-
Series I: Seth Low's Summer Session correspondence, 1898
This series consists of the faculty responses to President Seth Low's inquiry about starting a summer session at Columbia. The series includes the individual responses as well as a summary sheet which organizes the faculty by department and lists those who offered a "conditional acceptance" or an "unconditional acceptance." Some of the letters were originally kept in a binder and these have been foldered individually. The rest were collected in an envelope. This series also includes correspondence related to the establishment of the first summer session in 1900.
-
Series II: Administrative records, 1900-1997
This series contains the administrative records of the Summer Session, including the financial statements from 1900 to 1919, the minutes of the Administrative Board from 1905 to 1940, and the Registrar's reports on enrollments by academic department for the last five years.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series.
- Series I: Seth Low's Summer Session correspondence, 1898
- Series II: Administrative records, 1900-1997
- Series III: Bulletins, 1900-2006
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection has no restrictions.
The following box is located offsite: Box 1. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Single photocopies 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.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Summer Session records; Box and Folder number (if known); University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.
Related Materials
For materials related to the establishment of the Summer Session, please consult the Minutes of the Board of Trustees (UA#0019); in the Faculty Meeting Minutes (UA#005), look for the minutes of the University Council; and Angus Burrell's A History of Adult Education at Columbia University (CE1954 G286).
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Series I materials were transferred to the University Archives by Joseph Kissane, from the Summer Session Director's Office, School of General Studies, 418 Lewisohn Hall, in July 1994. (1994.006)
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Joanna Rios. Finding aid written by Joanna Rios in June 2019.
Revision Description
2020-11-09 Added Series III. (JR)
2020-11-12 Added Box 6. (JR)
Historical Note
In December 1898, President Seth Low sent a circular to the Columbia faculty. He proposed a working plan for a summer school: daily sessions would run during six consecutive weeks; each course would meet daily from Monday to Friday; instructors would receive two-thirds of the student fees and one-third would be retained for administrative expenses. In the letter, faculty were asked if they were inclined to offer any courses, and, if so, which courses and the length of each course in hours per week. Faculty had one week to submit their reply.
With the Trustees' conditional approval, Columbia offered its first summer session in 1900 with 29 courses and 417 registered students, under the guidance of Director of Summer Session Nicholas Murray Butler. The following year, 1901, Columbia offered 43 courses to 581 students. In 1904, the Summer Session was granted permanent status (no longer needing the yearly Trustee renewal) and it was formally incorporated into the University statutes.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
All links open new windows.
| Genre/Form | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course bulletins | CLIO Catalog | ArchiveGRID |
| Name | ||
| Columbia University. School of General Studies | CLIO Catalog | ArchiveGRID |
| Columbia University. University Extension | CLIO Catalog | ArchiveGRID |