Presidential Commission on the Future of the University records (Strategies of Renewal Report), 1955-1989, bulk 1984-1987

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

• Presidential Commission on the Future of the University records, 1955-1989

Description

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the materials collected and used in the preparation of the report "Strategies of renewal: report of the Presidential Commission on the Future of the University," 1987.

• Presidential Commission on the Future of the University records, 1955-1989

  These are the files of correspondence, minutes, drafts, reports and materials collected by Dr. Michael Mooney, Deputy Provost, during the course of the Commission. The materials were organized by Virginia Xanthos, Coordinator for Special Projects, Office of the Provost.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Conditions Governing 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 is located offsite. 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.

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

Conditions Governing Use

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); Presidential Commission on the Future of the University records (Strategies of Renewal Report); Box and Folder numbers; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Joanna Rios in October 2023.

Revision Description

2023-10-20 Finding aid published (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.

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

In 1984, President Sovern put together a Commission on the Future of the University. The University had clearly emerged from the financially challenged 1970s and found itself with new opportunities in the 1990s and beyond. This was the first time since the 1957 President's Committee on the Educational Future of the University that such a commission had been convened at Columbia to plan for the years ahead.

The Commission analyzed Columbia's human, physical, and financial resources in their urban, economic, technological and demographic contexts. The report recommended a streamlining of the University's academic organization, stronger promotion and control of academic quality, and further integration of academic and fiscal planning.

The report recommended that the four Arts and Sciences faculties --the College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, General Studies and International and Public Affairs—- merge into one Faculty of Arts and Sciences, completing a long-term, progressive movement toward a more efficient, more collegial unity. Similarly, the faculties of Medicine and Dental and Oral Surgery should merge to become the Faculty of Health Sciences, encompassing the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Dental School, the School of Public Health and the School of Nursing. And the faculties of the schools of Architecture, the Arts, journalism and Library Service would be organized under an "academic entity" known as Fine Arts and Communications.

The report also had recommendations to ensure academic quality: five-years plans from the faculty; a University committee to review self-studies; and a number of improvements in the ad hoc or tenure review process. The report identified needs in academic space, competitive faculty salaries, a better financial aid structure, up-to—date research facilities, high quality support services, and more housing for students, faculty and administrators.