General Academic Administration records
Scope and Content
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE SUBJECT FILES OF FIRST ASSISTANT PROVOST FOR GENERAL ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION. 1969-1985 [1977-1982]. 10 cubic feet.
The administrative subject files of Dorothy K. Arata. Contains correspondence, proposals, grant materials, reports, memoranda, committee material, student/faculty/program policies and other administrative materials relating to the functions of General Academic Administration. Includes group of materials from the Committee on the Release of Confidential Information from Student Records. Subject files also kept on individual colleges and their programs. Dr. Arata's files are maintained separately from Administrative Subject Files as the dates and some folder headings suggest materials may also reflect Dr. Arata's administrative activity while serving as Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Arranged alphabetically.
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE SUBJECT FILES. 1971-1987 [1983-1985]. 23 cubic feet.
Materials relating to the administrative decisions of the Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration and its relation to college units. Contains correspondence, meeting notes, course guidelines, committee files, memoranda, proposals, reports, conference programs, statistics, schedules, grant applications, University policies, personnel papers. These records reflect a range of topics including commencement activities, enrollment statistics/ decisions/policies for the colleges, space issues, the use of computers on campus, academic reorganization, tuition, faculty and student grievances, accreditation of academic programs, curriculum and affirmative action. Subject files found for individual colleges and their programs. Committee records found throughout these files are the work of the University Committee of Academic Policy, the Communications and Computer Systems Advisory Committee and the University Curriculum Committee. Bulk dates for these materials suggest these files were the result of Dr. Simon's administration in this office.
Arranged alphabetically.
(3) TITLE IX FILES. 1979-1981 [1982]. 1.6 cubic feet.
In 1980 the U.S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights investigated Michigan State University's compliance with the Title IX amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The investigation dealt with issues of discrimination, particularly concerning college athletics. The University was one of 80 institutions across the United States examined by the federal government. Found in this series are communications with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights during MSU Title IX Compliance Investigation Athletic Audit in 1981. Materials relating to this subject also include correspondence, memoranda, reports and materials such as catalogs and pamphlets requested by the review team. Dr. Simon served as the University's affirmative action officer in this matter and coordinated the review process. These files also include follow-up documents on gender/race issues, equity in collegiate sports, reports and the University's response to the audit.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then sequence.
(4) AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FILES. 1979-1982 [1982]. 1.8 cubic feet.
The bulk of these materials are communications with the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Standards Administration Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) during MSU audit by the bureau in 1981. The University was selected for compliance review
under Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Adjustment Act of 1974, directing a desk audit, on-site review, and (where appropriate) an off-site analysis of the University's policies regarding affirmative action. To comply with this review it was necessary for the University to provide evidence of an Affirmative Action Compliance Program (AACP) and supporting documentation. By December of 1981 the University was found in compliance with federal affirmative action policies. Materials relating to this subject include correspondence, memoranda, reports and publications/materials supporting affirmative action policies at Michigan State University. As Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration, Dr. Simon coordinated the review of the policy. The audit resulted in the preparation by the University of a Letter of Commitment to improve certain aspects of the University's Affirmative Action Plan as selected by the department of labor. Aside from the audit, these files contain follow-up documents on affirmative action programs and policies at the University, including handicapped accessibility, as well as statements and requested materials concerning affirmative action at the University by State Senator David S. Holmes, Jr., of the 4th district, Chair of the Special Committee on Affirmative Action in the Michigan State Senate.
Arranged alphabetically, with correspondence arranged chronologically.
(5) RESTRICTED FILES. 1975-1984. 2.6 cubic feet.
Contains student and faculty data, litigious materials, and other personally identifiable information considered confidential under the University's "Guidelines Governing Privacy and Release of Student Records."
(6) AUDIO
This series contains audio recordings of Cecil Mackey's 1979 inauguration as president of MSU and the 1982 dedication of the Wharton Center.
Dates
- Creation: 1969 - 1987
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1977 - 1985
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Some folders in box 1311 and boxes 1312-1313 are restricted. See General Note to Archivist.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Historical Note
The position of Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration was created in 1980 during a reorganization of the assistant provost offices by Clarence L. Widner, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (1977-1986). The first to assume the position of Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration was Dorothy K. Arata, former Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education. Dr. Arata held the position for one year, and was followed by Lou Anna Kimsey Simon in 1981 who remained there through 1986. At that time Lawrence M. Sommers assumed the position as acting Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration until both the position and office were dissolved under another restructuring of the Provost's Office in 1989 under Provost David K. Scott. The administrative responsibilities of the Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration were absorbed by other units within the office.
The Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration reported to the Provost and was accountable for the implementation of University academic policies and procedures. The office was responsible for developing recommendations regarding budget, organization, personnel evaluation, planning, supervision, program evaluation, and program curtailment, as well as program expansion or revision in the Assistant Provost's areas of responsibility. The Assistant Provost performed duties delegated by the Provost and was subject to review and approval by the Provost. These duties and responsibilities included the following.
The Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration assisted the Provost in responsibility for long-range planning. General Academic Administration was responsible for studies and special projects as specified by the Provost. The Assistant Provost served as the Provost's designee on the University Committee on Academic Policy, University Committee on Curriculum, and the Administrative Data Processing Steering Committee. The Assistant Provost was a liaison for the Provost with colleges, departments and schools regarding the accreditation of programs. The office was responsible for policies concerning the University catalog, as well as supervision of personnel preparing the publication. Supervision of faculty seminars was handled by the Assistant Provost. The development of automated/computerized information and support systems, including hardware and software purchases by academic units, was coordinated and reviewed by this office.
The Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration provided supervision of multiple units including their budgetary matters, personnel matters, programs/curriculum and physical facilities. During the course of its existence, the office was responsible for the following units during the noted periods:
Academic Computing, 1982-1986.
Department of Aerospace Studies, 1980-1989.
Commencement, 1986-1989.
Instructional Media Center, 1982-1986.
Department of Military Science, 1980-1989.
Learning and Evaluation Services, 1980-1982.
Manager for Performing Arts, 1980-1981.
Registrar, 1980-1989.
Secretary for Academic Governance, 1980-1989.
University Curriculum and Catalog Office, 1986-1989.
Lastly, the Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration advised the Provost on all forementioned areas and performed any other duties assigned by the Provost.
Sources: Faculty/Staff Directories 1972-1989, Administrative Subject File "Assistant Provost for General Academic Administration."
Unit Administrators
Academic Computing: Lawrence W. Von Tersch, 1982-1984; Paul M. Hunt, 1985-1986.
Department of Aerospace Studies: Jack W. Kenney, 1980-1982; Sidney H. Newcomb, 1982- 1983; Wilfred C. Hamann, 1984-1985; John S. Rogers, 1986-1989.
Commencement: Kathy West, 1986-1989.
Instructional Media Center: Somnath Chatterjee, 1982-1986.
Department of Military Science: Robert J. Schiemann, 1980-1982; Leroy E. Conner Jr., 1982- 1983; Francis B. Robertson, 1984-1986; Michael E. Thompson, 1987; Donald Schulz, 1988-1989.
Learning and Evaluation Services: Lawrence T. Alexander, 1980-1982.
Manager for Performing Arts: Frederick H. Horne, 1980-1981.
Registrar: Horace C. King, 1980-1989.
Secretary for Academic Governance: Gordon L. Thomas, 1980-1982; A.L. Thurman, 1984-1989.
University Curriculum and Catalog Office: Patricia S. Walsh, 1986-1989.
Extent
39 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Materials were transferred by the Office of the Provost.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University.
Property Rights: Michigan State University.
*ADVISORY NOTE TO THE ARCHIVIST
This collection was processed as part of a one year bulk processing project during the 1996-1997 academic year. While all noted restricted files have been separated and labeled as such, there may be materials of a personal nature within the files designated open for public access by the office of the records creators. Because of the nature of bulk processing, which prevents detailed record examination at the folder and document level, some materials of a personal nature may remain. Furthermore, these files contain a mix of materials. Therefore, it is advised that the archivist briefly inspect materials before handing them over to a researcher.
Subject
- Simon, Lou Anna Kimsey (Person)
- Arata, Dorothy K. (Person)
- Sommers, Lawrence M. (Person)
- Title
- General Academic Administration Records
- Status
- 4 Published And Cataloged
- Author
- JMM
- Date
- 1999
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu