Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection, 1947-2016

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection is a combination of several different accessions of prints, negatives, contact sheets, color slides and digital files that were created by the University Photographer and others in the Columbia University Office of Public Affairs. The collection documents many events held on campus (e.g., commencement, homecoming, 1968 protests), the Morningside campus, individuals (faculty, student athletes), and sporting events.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in five series. Each series has its own box numbering sequence so when requesting boxes be sure to include the series number as well as the box number.

Series I. Photographs; Series II. Negatives; Series III. Color Slides; Series IV. Protest and Activism Photographs; Series V. Eileen Barroso Photographs.

• Series I: Photographs
• Series II: Negatives
• Subseries II.1. Portraits, 1950s-1980
• Subseries II. 2. Athletics, 1940s-1980s
• Subseries II.3. Athletics-Portraits, 1947-1982
• Subseries II.4. Events, 1946-1971
• Subseries II.5. Color Slides, 1952-1974
• Subseries II.6. Student Portraits, 1954-1965
• Subseries II.7. Columbia University Press, 1948-1969
• Subseries II.8. Churches and Seminaries, 1958-1968
• Subseries II.9 American Press Institute, 1957-1968
• Subseries II.10. School of Social Work, 1951-1969
• Subseries II.11. Bicentennial, 1953-1954
• Subseries II.12. Fellowships and Scholarships, 1949-1962
• Subseries II.13. Buildings and Grounds & Snow Scenes, 1947-1969
• Subseries II.14. Historical (Copy negatives), 1898-1982
• Subseries II.15. Paintings, Busts, etc., 1952-1982
• Subseries II.16. Teachers College, 1949-1968
• Subseries II.17. Barnard College, 1940s-1960s
• Subseries II.18. Medical Center (Health Sciences), 1948-1964
• Subseries II.19. Grayson Kirk, 1947-1967
• Subseries II.20. Events, 1965-1983
• Subseries II.21. Warman Freelance--Barnard
• Subseries II.22. Eisenhower, Dwight D., 1947-1969 (1947-1953), 1947-1969
• Subseries II.23. Subjects, 1983-1998
• Subseries II.24. Copy Negatives
• Series III: Color Slides
• Series IV: Protest and Activism Photographs
• Series V: Eileen Barroso Photographs
• Subseries V.1. Miscellaneous Photo Albums
• Subseries V.2. Miscellaneous Sports Negatives
• Subseries V.3. 1998 University Photographer Negatives, 1998
• Subseries V.4. 1999 Negatives and Prints, 1999
• Subseries V.5. 2000 Negatives and Prints, 2000
• Subseries V.6. 2001 Negatives and Prints, 2001
• Subseries V.7. 2002 Negatives and Prints, 2002
• Subseries V.8. 2003 Negatives, Prints and Optical Discs, 2003
• Subseries V.9. 2004 Negatives, Prints, and Optical Discs, 2004
• Subseries V.10. 2005 Negatives and Optical Discs, 2005
• Subseries V.11. 2006 Negatives, Prints and Optical Discs, 2006
• Subseries V.12. 2007 Images on Optical Discs, 2007
• Subseries V.13. 2008 Images on Optical Discs, 2008
• Subseries V.14. 2009 Images on Optical Discs, 2009
• Subseries V.15. 2010 Images on Optical Discs, 2010
• Subseries V.16. 2011 Images on Optical Discs, 2011
• Subseries V.17. 2012-2016 Images on Optical Discs, 2012-2016

Description

Summary

This collection is a combination of several different accessions of prints, negatives, contact sheets, color slides and digital files that were created by the University Photographer and others in the Columbia University Office of Public Affairs. The collection documents many events held on campus (e.g., commencement, homecoming, 1968 protests), the Morningside campus, individuals (faculty, student athletes) and sporting events.

• Series I: Photographs

  Alphabetically arranged prints of a variety of subjects, places and events associated with Columbia University. The bulk of the images are undated, but those with noted dates usually date from the 1950s through the 1990s. Topics included in this series include commencement, Pulitzer Prizes, homecoming, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, and many images of campus features and buildings.

• Series II: Negatives

  Negatives found in this series are a mix of original and copy negatives of 35mm and larger formats. They are almost exclusively black and white and all originate from the University Photographer's office. The negatives in this series consist of portraits, campus events, and athletic contests taken primarily between1947 and 1998. Subject designations created by the University Photographer were maintained as individual sub-series in this collection. This series is particularly useful for finding images of people from and events held in the 1970s and 1980s. Negatives are still stored in the original envelopes and sleeves, though were re-boxed into archival negative boxes.

• Series III: Color Slides

  Color slides most likely originating from the University Photographer depicting various university events, athletics, student life and views of campus and campus buildings. Among the events represented are the inaugurations of President William J. McGill (1970) and Michael I. Sovern (1980) as well as commencement ceremonies. Among the commencement 1967 slides one can find images of campus buildings and landscaping in the full bloom and some images of architectural models for the development of East Campus. Note that there are two sets of 1969 commencement slides. Slides are listed alphabetically by subject and/or name and are arranged in two slide boxes which each contain six smaller boxes. These are indicated as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. in the container list.

• Series IV: Protest and Activism Photographs

  These photographs consist of black-and-white photographic prints, negatives, and contact sheets depicting student protest activities at Columbia from April 21, 1967 to April 21, 1969, with the overwhelming majority of items dating from April and May, 1968 - the period of the most sustained and significant student protests at Columbia.

  The images depict protest activities around the campus, scenes of the occupation in a number of Columbia buildings, and the aftermath of these occupations, as well as many of the Columbia individuals who were prominently involved in the student protests. These individuals include SDS student leader Mark Rudd, Columbia President Grayson Kirk, Vice President David Truman, Columbia College Dean Henry Coleman, and Assistant Dean Michael Platt. Faculty members who figured prominently in events, such as Michael Sovem (Co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Joint Faculties of Columbia and later President of Columbia), Alan Westin (also Co-chair of the Executive Committee and a member of the Ad Hoc Faculty Group Steering Committee), and Immanual Wallerstein (Ad Hoc Faculty Group Steering Committee), as well as Archibald Cox and other members of the Cox Commission, which was formed in early May, 1968 to investigate the causes of the protests, are also featured in these images.

  Prints, negatives, and contact sheets are arranged chronologically and housed together in two archival photo binders. Two sets of negatives are 120 mm format, while the rest of the items in the collection are 35 mm format. Duplicate copies of some prints and numerous duplicates of some contact sheets have been retained, but they are foldered and housed separately in one manuscript box.

  Apart from the 1967 and 1969 rolls, the prints and contact sheets were originally housed in 15 large manila envelopes, which were dated on the outside, while the negatives were housed in 65 protective sleeves, which were labeled "Protest" and also bore dates, along with A, B, C, ...markings in some instances (e.g. "4/48/68-A "); these additional notations are on the inventory listing, when applicable.

  A few of the negative sleeves also had brief descriptive hand-written notes about the subjects of the photos. In addition, many of the negatives and contact sheets had themselves been dated, presumably by their photographer. These dates and notes have been used to date the items and to organize and describe the collection. They have been compared with dates in the select chronologies of events depicted.

  The University Photographer for the Office of Public Affairs during these years was Manny Warman, but the negatives cannot be definitively attributed to him. Some negative sleeves had names noted on them, along with dates and other information, and these may be the names of photographers; this information is noted as follows:

  "Phil": rolls 12, 18,23,24,29,30,38,39,40,41,51,5455,58 "Goldstein": rolls 12,21,27,34,43,63 "O'Stearle": roll28 "Heller": roll 29 "Erica": roll 36

  "Bob Noble": rolls 69, 70 "Eckenberg": roll 73

• Series V: Eileen Barroso Photographs

  Negatives, prints, contact sheets and digital files stored on compact discs dating between 1999 and 2016. This series also includes some older prints and negatives taken by University Photographer Joe Pinero in the 1970s-1990s. Image files are arranged in the order they were packed by Eileen Barroso for transfer to the University Archives and all materials have been maintained in their original folders, envelopes and sleeves. The files are roughly in alphabetical and reverse chronological order, though there are some folders not in true alphabetical or chronological order.

  Images depict various university events, lectures, panels, orientation activities, campus and building images, sporting events, special occasions, events organized by various schools and departments (e.g., General Studies, Columbia College, Journalism, Business School) and many faculty and staff portraits. Among the events that are repeatedly depicted are Commencement, John Jay Awards, Great Teacher Awards, Bancroft Prizes, and Pulitzer Prizes. There are also many 250th events from 2003 and 2004 documented in these files.

  Several acronyms are used on many of the folder titles. Ones that come up repeatedly are:

  CAVA = Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance

  CC = Columbia College

  CUMC = Columbia University Medical Center

  GSAS = Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

  P&S = College of Physicians and Surgeons

  Record = refers to photos taken for the publication The Columbia Record published by the Office of Public Affairs

  SIPA= School of International and Public Affairs

  SOA = School of the Arts

  Several folders were captured in the initial creation of the container list but were subsequently removed upon further review. As a result folder numbering within boxes 14, 16, 17, 21, 29, 36, 38, and 44 will skip around.

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.

Access to any digital files found in Series V (Eileen Barroso Photographs) needs to be specifically arranged with an archives staff member. Otherwise, there are no restrictions in this collection.

This collection is located on site.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single copies 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); Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection; Series Number; Box and Folder (if known); University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Material at Columbia

Columbia Spectator Photograph Collection, 1950-1999 (UA#0036)

Columbia University Faculty Photographs, 1938 (UA#0115)

Graduate School of Journalism Photographs, 1918-2002 (UA#0110)

Health Sciences Archives & Special Collections

Historical Photograph Collection, 1860 - . (UA#0003)

University Protest and Activism Collection, 1958-1999 [Bulk Dates: 1968-1972] (UA#007)

Varsity Show Collection, 1894- . (UA#016)

Accrual

Materials have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact uarchives@columbia.edu for more information. Additions are expected.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--The Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection is comprised of several different accessions.

Source of acquisition--The first (accession 2000-006) was transferred from the University Photographer and dated circa 1947-1983. The negatives and slides resided in two metal filing cabinets. The original subject divisions provided by Manny Warman, University Photographer, 1947-1983, were retained. The negatives were left in their original paper sleeves, but ultimately re-boxed into archival negative boxes.

Source of acquisition--The second accession (2003-034) included photographs taken by Joe Pineiro, University Photographer, 1983-1998 and those taken by freelance photographer Eileen Barroso, 1985-1998. The negatives for these images were transferred in their negative cabinets, arranged in alphabetical order. These were also kept in their original storage sleeves but re-boxed into archival negative boxes. Accessions 2000-006 and 2003-34 now comprise Series II of this collection.

Source of acquisition--Color slides (now found in Series III of this collection) were received in accession 2002-035. These were removed from their original binders, filed, and re-boxed. Color slides found in accession 2001-052 were added to these boxes.

Source of acquisition--A separate accession (2001-052) of photographs depicting 1968 student protests on campus is housed in binders for ease of access. Related protest negatives from earlier accession 2000-006 were added to binders. These were received on December 28, 2001 from Roger Hackett in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), who had received them from Suzanne Trimmel who also worked in that office. This accession now comprises Series IV of this collection.

Source of acquisition--Negatives and slides from the accession 2003-046 were used by the Columbia University Record, a publication of the Office of Public Affairs. Most negatives were taken by photographer Amy Callahan and date from 1997-1998. For purposes of storage, corresponding contact sheets were separated from negatives and housed within the Historical Photograph Collection (UA#0003). All negatives are 35mm format and were re-boxed. These negatives can now be found in Series II of this collection.

Source of acquisition--The bulk of photographs from accession 2004-038 (now found in Series I of this collection) consist of black and white 8 x 10 prints and date approximately1980-2000, with earlier images used by Columbia University Record office during this time. 35mm slides, negatives, and 8 x10 contact sheets are also found in this accession. Identified photographers include Joe Pineiro, Eileen Barroso and Amy Callahan. Some prints were collected and published by the office from non-Columbia University photographers.

Source of acquisition--The most recent accession (2011.2012.M024) comprise negatives, prints, contact sheets and digital files on compact discs of images taken by University Photographer Eileen Barroso (1998-present) and primarily covers the years 1999-2006. This accession (now found in Series V of this collection) also included some older prints and negatives that were taken by her predecessor Joe Pineiro.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jennifer Ulrich, Jocelyn Wilk, Allison Chambers (GSAAP 2007), Gillian Rhodes (Columbia College 2012), Maya Meredith (Columbia College 2014), and Laura Thomas (School of the Arts 2013).

Finding aid written by Jocelyn Wilk in July and August 2012.

Revision Description

2012-08-30 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

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

The position of University Photographer in the Office of Public Information was created in 1947. Manny Warman worked as a freelance photographer before filling this position, which he held until 1983. Prior to this position, photographers at the University were employed either as work-for-hire or staff, but were not officers of the administration. For this reason, employment records were not retained for these photographers. Freelance photographers may have been used by the University Photographer, but not credited.

The University Photographer photographed material primarily for use by the Office of Public Information (now the Office of Public Affairs), but also worked for other departments and individuals. During Manny Warman's tenure the bulk of his photographs were published in the periodical Columbia Alumni News. Many of these particular images can be found in this collection. Alumni News was published by the Alumni Council of Columbia University, 1909-1957.

Joe Pineiro was photographing for the University in the 1970s and held the position of University photographer from 1983 until 1998. Eileen Barroso began taking photographs for the University in 1985 and assumed the University Photograph position in 1998, continuing in this role as of 2022.

The first issue of the periodical, Columbia University Record was published on July 22, 1975. Roger J. Hackett served as editor for the Record for 18 years, ending in 1998, at which time managing editor, Amy Callahan took over the position from 1998 through 2000. She was followed by Pamela Q. Vu (2000-2001), Jason Hollander (2001-2003), Colin Morris (2003-2004), Peter Kobel (2004-2005) and Mary-Lea Cox (2005-2007). The Record was edited by Bridget O'Brian who became editor in 2007.

University Photographers: Manny Warman 1946-1983; Joe Pineiro 1983-1998; and Eileen Barroso 1998-2022 ongoing.