Committee on University Lectures minute book

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 2-1-2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

One of the first known mentions of courses in arts and sciences are contained in the minute book of the Committee on University Lectures, formally established by the Council on September 12, 1904. In addition to the minutes, the book also includes the typescript of Julian Park’s resolution to the Council calling for the establishment of the Committee; a printed notice/invitation of the Associated Alumni Committees calling for a “School of Arts and a School of Sciences”; and a 1946 note from John Lord O’Brian explaining the origins and work of the Committee. Pages 5-9, 11-13, 15-19, 21-22, and 198 contain minutes; the rest of the pages are blank.

Dates

1904-1905

Creator

University of Buffalo. University Council (Organization)

Terms of Access and Use

Committee on University Lectures minute book is open for research.

Copyright

Copyright is held by The State University of New York at Buffalo. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Historical Note

From John Lord O’Brian’s 1946 note on the origins and work of the Committee on University Lectures [pasted inside minute book]:

This is the Minute Book of the Committee on “University Extension” Lectures, which was set up pursuant to Resolutions adopted by the Council sometime in the Summer of 1904….This Committee met, as recited in these Minutes, throughout the Autumn of 1904. The last meeting, that of December 12th, as recited in these Minutes, was adjourned subject to the call of the Chair.

I was one of the members of this Committee and acted as the Secretary. These notes are in my handwriting. It is my recollections that the Committee did not do any work after 1904, because the group of lecturers, who had been created by that time, practically took over the functions of the Committee and conducted the courses of lectures without supervision, reporting from time to time to the Treasurer of the University.

As recited in the History of the University by Julian Park, these so-called University Extension Lectures finally ceased in 1906, due to the lack of financial support….This was the first tangible effort to establish courses of lectures in the academic field.

Extent

.2 Linear Feet (1 half manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Minute book, course leaflets, and invitation from the University of Buffalo's Associated Alumni Committees for planning the establishment of a School of Arts and Sciences.

Arrangement

By format.

Acquisition Information

Committee on University Lectures minute book was transferred to University Archives in 1978. For many years, records of the University of Buffalo considered to have great historical or legal value were kept in a vault in Hayes Hall. Most of the records were from the Office of the Treasurer, but the vault also contained records of the University Council. Emily H. Webster, Assistant to the Treasurer (1923-1930), Assistant Treasurer (1930-1962), and Assistant Secretary to the University Council (1939-1962) functioned as unofficial archivist. The contents of the vault were transferred to University Archives on April 12 and 13, 1978.