Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); University Committee on Student Organizations Records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
COinS Metadata
available (e.g., for Zotero).
Summary Information
Abstract
This collection contains the records of the University Committee on Student
Organizations of Columbia University from its early days in 1905 through
1919.
At a Glance
Bib ID: | 4198883 View CLIO record |
Creator(s): | Columbia University. University Committee on Student
Organizations. |
Title: | Columbia
University Committee on Student Organizations Records,
1905-1919
|
Physical description: | 1 linear foot (2 document boxes)
|
Language(s): | In English
|
Access: |
There are no restrictions on this collection.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
More information » |
Arrangement
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by student organization name or subject, followed by an
alphabetical arrangement of topical folders.
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Description
Scope and Content
The collection consists mostly of correspondence as well as constitutions, pamphlets,
newspaper clippings, and request forms, generated by the Committee from 1905 to
1919. Correspondence relates to general administrative matters including eligibility
requirements, governance of the Committee, correspondence with student organizations
regarding eligibility of members as well as filing of eligibility blanks maintained
by the Committee. The folders are arranged alphabetically by student organization
name or subject followed by an alphabetical arrangement of topical folders. Names of
some folders of student activities represent the actual name of the organization
while others, like Baseball, represent the activity. For example, “Baseball”
includes the Baseball Club, Baseball Association, and Baseball Team.
Issues covered of particular note include the Committee’s forbiddance of a Christian
Science group to use the name of the University in its official name. The abolition
of football in 1905 until its reinstatement is widely discussed in these records.
Scheduling issues, such as if teams or performance groups can practice or play on
Sundays as well as if Socialist speakers are allowed to lecture for student groups,
are discussed. The eligibility discussion also includes that of Extension Teaching
students. Most of the correspondence from Frank Fackenthal’s tenure as chairperson
consists of eligibility letters to various students. When known, cases involving
particular students are housed with the organization, group or club in which the
student was involved. Eligibility letters regarding one particular student with no
reference to the activity, are housed in “Eligibility Correspondence-Individual”
filed alphabetically by the student’s name. Eligibility letters relating to more
than one student with no reference to a specific activity are housed in “Eligibility
Correspondence-General” filed chronologically. “Senior Societies” includes
information about the Nacoms, Sachems and Nimikwa (or Nimiqua) societies.
“Governance” contains the resolution establishing the Committee as well as
correspondence regarding appointments and meeting minutes. “Notes and Keys”
encompasses the Glee, Mandolin, and Banjo Clubs.
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Using the Collection
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions on this collection.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); University Committee on Student Organizations Records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York
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About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Archives; machine readable
finding aid created by Columbia University Libraries Digital Library Program
Division
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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.
Additional Creators
Genre/Form
Subjects
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History / Biographical Note
Historical Note
Created on July 1, 1903 by the University Council and
President Nicholas Murray Butler, the University Committee on Student Organizations
originally consisted of three officers. The first officers of the Committee were
James F. Kemp as Chairman along with George W. Kirchwey and Marston T. Bogert. The
Comptroller of Student Organizations was Frederick Goetze. The Committee’s purpose
was “academic control of organizations of students, which in any way represent the
University before the public.” (Pamphlet “Student Organizations Representing the
University Before the Public, 1910-11”) The Committee on Student Organizations
governed rules of eligibility regarding academic standing and eligibility for
student organizations as well as number of absences allowed before becoming
ineligible. It also monitored athletic activities, scheduling of events, etc.
Chairpersons of the Committee represented in this collection are James Kemp, Herbert
Lord, and Frank D. Fackenthal.
The Board of Student Representatives, as approved by the University Council, was
“authorized to control the intramural activities of students.” (Pamphlet “Student
Organizations Representing the University Before the Public, 1910-11”) When the
Committee on Student Organizations was established, the President also created the
University Committee on Athletics, which was deemed responsible for administering
rules of eligibility “not involving questions of scholarship and to govern the
participation of students of Columbia University in intercollegiate athletics,
subject to the general regulations of the University.”
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