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President's Office Records, 1870-2002

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University. Office of the President.
Title
President's Office Records
Dates
1870-2002 (inclusive)
Quantity
44.4 cubic ft.
180 microfilm reels.
Collection Number
RG 013
Summary
The President's Office Records reflect the administration of the university and include documentation of policy formulation, publication of statistical information, and review of legal issues.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Access to the Department Review files in subgroup 13 and the 1984 NCAA inquiry records in subgroup 16 requires approval of the University Archivist and/or Legal Advisor.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

Since its designation as a land-grant institution of higher learning in 1868, Oregon State University has had 16 presidents, including 4 acting presidents. They have been William A. Finley, 1865-1872 (Finley was appointed president of the university's predecessor institution, Corvallis Academy, in 1865); Joseph Emery, acting, 1872; Benjamin L. Arnold, 1872-1892; John D. Letcher, acting, 1892; John M. Bloss, 1892-1896; H. B. Miller, 1896-1897; Thomas M. Gatch, 1897-1907; William Jasper Kerr, 1907- 1932; George W. Peavy, acting, 1932-1934, president, 1934-1940; Frank L. Ballard, 1940-1941; Francois A. Gilfillan, acting, 1941- 1942; August L. Strand, 1942-1961; James H. Jensen, 1961-1969; Roy A. Young, acting, 1969-1970; Robert W. MacVicar, 1970-1984; John V. Byrne, 1984-1995; and Paul G. Risser, 1996-2002. The search for a replacement to Risser is currently underway with Vice Provost Tim White as the interim President.

The president is the chief executive officer of the university. From 1868 to 1929 the president reported to the college's Board of Trustees/Regents. Since the creation of the Oregon University System (formerly the Oregon State System of Higher Education) in 1929, the president has reported to the System's chancellor.

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Content Description

Subgroups 1-5 exist in both paper and microfilm formats. Most records for subgroups 6-11 are on microfilm; a few are in paper format. Subgroup 11 consists of records of both the university president and the dean of administration. Considerable duplication exists among the 4 additions that comprise this subgroup. Subgroups 13-17 are paper records only.

The President's Office records reflect the centralized nature of the university's administration that existed into the early 1970s (MacVicar administration). Most academic programs, research centers, and administrative and student support offices sent copies of substantive correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, publications, and other items to the President's Office. Consequently, nearly all university activities are documented to some extent by this record group.

President MacVicar began decentralization of the top administration of the university by adding a number of vice-presidents; separate record groups exist for those offices. The records beginning with his administration reflect the functions of the President's Office and the activities of the president, especially policies and procedures implemented and issues addressed by the president.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

President's Office Records (RG 13), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 17 subgroups, 14 of which are designated by presidential administration. Two subgroups are organized into general subject files and another consists entirely of annual and biennial Reports. Records exist in both paper and microfilm formats.

Related Materials

Photographs of OSU presidents are available in the Presidents of OSU Photographic Collection (P 1) and the President's Office Photographic Collection (P 92) as well as many other photographic groups. Moving images of the presidents are available in the President's Office Motion Picture Films and Videotapes Collection (P 92). The manuscripts collections include the personal papers of several OSU Presidents; these include the William A. Finley Scrapbook, the John M. Bloss Collection, the Francois A. Gilfillan Papers, the George W. Peavy Papers, the Roy A. Young Papers, the Robert MacVicar Papers, and the Paul G. Risser Papers.

The largest extant group of William Jasper Kerr's papers can be found in the Edwin T. Reed Papers. Materials pertaining to August L. Strand and James A. Jensen are included in the Fred M. Shideler Papers.

President's Office publications (PUB 247) are also available in the Archives. Various files in the Memorabilia Collection also contain information on the OSU presidents.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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Subject Terms

  • Collective bargaining--College employees--Oregon.
  • College buildings--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • College presidents--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • College presidents--Oregon.
  • College sports--Law and legislation--Oregon.
  • Education, Higher--Oregon.
  • Universities and colleges--Accreditation--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Universities and colleges--Accreditation.
  • Universities and colleges--Curricula--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Universities and colleges--Law and legislation--Oregon.
  • Universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis--Administration.
  • Universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis--Finance.
  • Universities and colleges--Public relations--Oregon--Corvallis.

Corporate Names

  • Corvallis College.
  • Oregon Agricultural College.
  • Oregon State Agricultural College.
  • Oregon State College.
  • Oregon State System of Higher Education.
  • Oregon State University--Accreditation.
  • Oregon State University--Administration.
  • Oregon State University--Finance.
  • Oregon State University--Planning.
  • Oregon State University--Sports.
  • Oregon State University--Students.
  • Oregon State University.
  • Oregon State University. Foundation.
  • Oregon State University. Office of the President.
  • Oregon University System.
  • Oregon State University. President's Cabinet.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound recordings.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Arnold, Benjamin L. (creator)
    • Ballard, Frank Llewellyn. (creator)
    • Bloss, John McKnight, 1839- (creator)
    • Byrne, John Vincent, 1928- (creator)
    • Finley, W. A. (William Asa), 1839-1912. (creator)
    • Gatch, Thomas M. (creator)
    • Gilfillan, F. A. (Francois Archibald), 1893-1983. (creator)
    • Jensen, James H. (creator)
    • Kerl, Caroline. (creator)
    • Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947. (creator)
    • Letcher, John D. (creator)
    • MacVicar, Robert William. 1918- (creator)
    • Miller, H. B. (creator)
    • Peavy, George Wilcox, 1869-1951. (creator)
    • Risser, Paul G. (creator)
    • Strand, A. L. (August Leroy), 1894- (creator)
    • Young, Roy A. (Roy Alton), 1921- (creator)

    Corporate Names

    • Oregon State University. General Counsel's Office. (creator)


2003

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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