Summer Session records, 1898-2006

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection consists of records regarding the Summer Session, started in 1900.

At a Glance

Arrangement

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

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.

• Series III: Bulletins, 1900-2006

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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)

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

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.