The Office of the
President is the top administrative office and is responsible for the efficient management of the
entire University. The President must carefully attend to the following major considerations:
effective administration, including the development, implementation, and monitoring of
university activities; the cultivation of outreach programs; and the promotion of university
activities to prospective donors and the general public.
On December 16, 1955, the
New York State Board of Regents amended the University Charter, forcing a number of
terminology changes. The title of the chief executive of the University changed from Chancellor
to President on July 1, 1956. The Board of Trustees adopted a measure providing for a
Chancellor and Executive Vice-President who would serve as a general advisor to the President
and perform duties in the President's absence. The Director for the University Budget and
Assistant Director of the Budget for research service would assist the Executive Vice-President.
Dr. Hester came from Long Island University to NYU in 1960. For the next two years
he served as the dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Science and Executive Dean of Arts
and Sciences. In 1962 he became president. Hester's term encompassed a number of important
events in the history of the University. Chief among these were the student activities of the 1960s
and the growth and transformation of the University into a prestigious urban educational
institution.
NYU experienced severe financial difficulties during the 1960s caused in
part by diminishing enrollment and subsequent loss of tuition money. Several strategies were
proposed to solve the problem, including a plan to sell the Heights Campus in the Bronx. The
closing of the Heights campus in 1973 caused some controversy. Opinions and comments of the
faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the community at large are well-represented in
correspondence found in Hester's papers.
Quelling student dissatisfaction during this
time presented an enormous task. Numerous student groups demanded changes within the
University. They conducted civil rights and anti-war protests as well as protests calling for
administrative changes. In 1966 students responded to proposed tuition, fees, and dormitory rate
increases with staged marches, boycotts, and sit-ins. As a result, the University allowed the
inclusion of student representatives on committees and boards that dealt with fees, curriculum,
and discipline. The administration's response to the concerns of the students is well-documented
in the collection and serves as a source of information for student affairs of the period.
Through consolidation of its operations, changing its admission policies, and increasing its
involvement in urban affairs, NYU transformed its institutional character. Following the sale of
the Heights campus, NYU focused on developing its presence around Washington Square. The
construction of Bobst Library allowed NYU to consolidate library and research collections
formerly scattered over 36 locations. A more selective admission policy encouraged more full
time students to attend and spurred the university to purchase residential facilities. Much
information within the collection reflects this transformation, which began in the 1950s and
continued through Hester's administration.
Dr. Hester resigned from the presidency in
1975 to become president of the United Nations University. During Hester's 13-year tenure, NYU
experienced revolutionary developments that changed forever the goals, statements, actions, and
perception of New York University.
The collection of papers created under Dr. James M. Hester as
President of New York University encompasses a difficult and transitional period in the
University's history. Composed of memoranda, correspondence, reports, publications, press
releases, and newspaper clippings, these papers represent the official response of the University
in many matters.
As top administrative officer of the University, Dr. Hester required
information from all aspects of the University's structure to make informed decisions.
Correspondence, reports, and publications concerning the various schools, divisions,
departments, students groups, alumni concerns, and faculty organizations comprise a number of
files in this collection.
Hester's office used two filing systems to organize its records.
Records dating from 1962 to 1969 were arranged alphabetically by folder title. After 1969 the
files were grouped into 12 categories: Administration, Associations, Alumni Affairs,
Development, Governance, Government Relations, Finance, Facilities and Services, Personnel,
Public Relations, Schools and Divisions, and Student Affairs. Because the records created before
1969 represented the same informational categories, the archives decided to incorporate the
earlier files into the groupings established after 1969. Each category forms a series with the
addition of another series of alphabetical files. Due to the fact that Alumni Affairs constituted
only two folders, it was integrated into the Administration series. See series descriptions for more
detailed explanations of the kinds of information present.
Open to researchers.
There may be some restrictions on the use
of the collection. For more information, contact
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
This collection of papers from
the Office of the President during the administration of Dr. James McNaughton Hester came to
the University Archives through four accessions made in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981, after
initial inventories were completed by E. Frederick Knauth.
Composed of 328 feet of
material contained in 79 Hollinger boxes, this collection of material spans the dates 1951-1975.
The collection is in good condition. Numerous thermofaxed copies and newspaper clippings
were photocopied onto acid-free paper and originals discarded.
A number of booklets,
pamphlets, and large bulky reports were removed for storage separately. Some material is
restricted. Numerous autographed letters were photocopied and the originals placed in the
restricted access file. Also removed from this collection were a number of files concerning Board
of Trustees members that were added to the Secretary's collection. Evaluations of various Deans
have also been removed and stored separately for confidentiality. These two transfers took place
as part of the inventories completed by Mr. Knauth.
| Series I: Alphabetical, 1961-1969 (Boxes 1-20)
|
|
Scope and Content:
The alphabetical series consists of 100 linear inches of materials arranged
alphabetically by correspondent. The files were arranged by Hester's office previous to the
installation of the subject files and numbering system that began in 1969. Consequently this
series represents every aspect of Hester's job as President of the University. There is
correspondence with professors, students, the community, and prominent individuals.
Files are arranged alphabetically by title, department, or individual name. General
correspondence files include documents such as correspondence with the public and invitations
to off-campus social events as well as communications with several individual correspondents.
The broad folder titles may make it more difficult to locate desired subjects.
|
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 1
|
1 |
General Correspondence - A |
1968-1969 |
| 1
|
2 |
General Correspondence - A - AL |
1965-1968 |
| 1
|
3 |
General
Correspondence - AM
|
1963-1967 |
| 1
|
4 |
General
Correspondence - AM
|
1963-1967 |
| 1
|
5 |
General
Correspondence - AM
|
1967-1968 |
| 1
|
6 |
General
Correspondence - AN - AZ
|
1963-1968 |
| 1
|
7 |
Administrative Council |
1964-1967 |
| 1
|
8 |
Admissions, Office
of
|
1965-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 2
|
1 |
All Univeristy Departments, General |
1968 |
| 2
|
2 |
All University Departments - Still
Committee
|
1967-1968 |
| 2
|
3 |
All University Departments,
A-Z
|
1967-1968 |
| 2
|
4 |
Alumni Federation, Alumni Fund |
1965-1966 |
| 2
|
5 |
Alumni Federation, Alumni Groups |
1965-1967 |
| 2
|
6 |
Alumni Federation, Alumni Groups |
1966-1968 |
| 2
|
7 |
Alumni Federation, Alumni Groups |
1967-1968 |
| 2
|
8 |
Alumni Federation, General
Correspondence
|
1966-1967 |
| 2
|
9 |
Alumni Federation,
Individual Alumni
|
1964-1966 |
| 2
|
10 |
Alumni Federation, "
"David Lipson
|
1966-1967 |
| 2
|
11 |
American Association of
University Professors
|
1965-1967 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 3
|
1 |
Annual Report of the
President
|
1966-1967 |
| 3
|
2 |
Aphrodisas Excavation |
1965-1968 |
| 3
|
3 |
Architect - Director of Planning &
Supervising Architect
|
1966-1968 |
| 3
|
4 |
Archivist, University |
1966-1968 |
| 3
|
5 |
Arts, School of |
1965-1967 |
| 3
|
6 |
Athletics, Division of |
1966-1968 |
| 3
|
7 |
General Correspondence B |
1964-1969 |
| 3
|
8 |
General Correspondence B |
1964-1969 |
| 3
|
9 |
General
Correspondence B
|
1964-1969 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 4
|
1 |
General Correspondence
BA-BE
|
1966-1968 |
| 4
|
2 |
General Correspondence
BI-BO
|
1966-1968 |
| 4
|
3 |
General Correspondence
BR-BZ
|
1966-1968 |
| 4
|
4 |
Board of Trustees,
Correspondence
|
1965-1967 |
| 4
|
5 |
Brazilian Institute |
1962-1968 |
| 4
|
6 |
General Correspondence C |
1966-1969 |
| 4
|
7 |
General Correspondence CA-CG |
1966-1968 |
| 4
|
8 |
General Correspondence CH-CL |
1966-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 5
|
1 |
General Correspondence CM-CZ |
1964-1968 |
| 5
|
2 |
Center for International Affairs |
1965-1968 |
| 5
|
3 |
Center for International Affairs, ERIAA |
1968 |
| 5
|
4 |
Chancellor and Executive Vice-President |
1964-1967 |
| 5
|
5 |
Chancellors Office, Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs |
1968 |
| 5
|
6 |
Circular memos |
1965-1967 |
| 5
|
7 |
Classified Research |
1966-1967 |
| 5
|
8 |
Commerece, School of |
1965-1966 |
| 5
|
9 |
Communications Arts Group |
1965-1966 |
| 5
|
10 |
Continuing
Education and Extension Services, School of
|
1966-1967 |
| 5
|
11 |
Controller |
1965-1966 |
| 5
|
12 |
Council of Deans,
General Correspondence
|
1965-1966 |
| 5
|
13 |
Council of Deans,
General Correspondence
|
1966-1967 |
| 5
|
14 |
Courant Institute |
1964-1966 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 6
|
1 |
General Correspondence DA-DI |
1966-1969 |
| 6
|
2 |
General Correspondence DI-DR |
1966-1969 |
| 6
|
3 |
General Correspondence DU-DY |
1965-1969 |
| 6
|
4 |
Danforth Foundation |
1965-1966 |
| 6
|
5 |
Dentistry, College of |
1965-1967 |
| 6
|
6 |
Development, Office of |
1965-1966 |
| 6
|
7 |
Development, Office of |
1967 |
| 6
|
8 |
Development, Office of |
1968 |
| 6
|
9 |
Development, Office of -
Alumni Annual Giving Group
|
1967-1969 |
| 6
|
10 |
Development, Office of - Community Relations |
1965-1966 |
| 6
|
11 |
Development, Office of - Public Relations Office |
1965-1967 |
| 6
|
12 |
Development, Office of - "University Research and the City"
correspondence
|
1967-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 7
|
1 |
General Correspondence
E-EDU
|
1964-1969 |
| 7
|
2 |
General Correspondence
EDU-EX
|
1965-1967 |
| 7
|
3 |
Education, School of |
1964-1966 |
| 7
|
4 |
Education, School of |
1966-1967 |
| 7
|
5 |
Education, School of - Institute of Development Studies |
1967-1968 |
| 7
|
6 |
Education, School of - Nursing Program |
1967-1968 |
| 7
|
7 |
Engineering Science, School of |
1965-1968 |
| 7
|
8 |
General Correspondence FA-FD |
1964-1969 |
| 7
|
9 |
General Correspondence FE-FI |
1964-1969 |
| 7
|
10 |
General Correspondence FL-FO |
1965-1969 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 8
|
1 |
General Correspondence FR-FU |
1965-1967 |
| 8
|
2 |
Faculty, General Correspondence |
1965-1967 |
| 8
|
3 |
Faculty Committees |
1965 |
| 8
|
4 |
Financial Aid, Dean of |
1965-1968 |
| 8
|
5 |
Financial Aid, Dean
of
|
1966-1969 |
| 8
|
6 |
French House |
1965-1966 |
| 8
|
7 |
Fund Board |
1967-1968 |
| 8
|
8 |
General Correspondence G-GRE |
1965-1967 |
| 8
|
9 |
General
Correspondence GRO-GU
|
1966-1967 |
| 8
|
10 |
General Education,
Division of
|
1965-1966 |
| 8
|
11 |
Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences
|
1965-1968 |
| 8
|
12 |
Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences
|
1964-1966 |
| 8
|
13 |
Graduate School of
Business Administration
|
1964-1967 |
| 8
|
14 |
Graduate School of
Business Administration - University of Lagos, Nigeria
|
1965-1968 |
| 8
|
15 |
Graduate School of Public Administration |
1965-1966 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 9
|
1 |
Graduate School of Public Administration |
1967-1968 |
| 9
|
2 |
Graduate School of Social Work |
1965-1968 |
| 9
|
3 |
Graduate Work, School of Engineering and Sciences and University
College
|
1966-1967 |
| 9
|
4 |
General Correspondence
H-HE
|
1965-1967 |
| 9
|
5 |
General Correspondence HI-HU |
1966-1968 |
| 9
|
6 |
General Correspondence I |
1964-1967 |
| 9
|
7 |
Institute for Computer Research in the Humanities |
1966-1967 |
| 9
|
8 |
Institute of Fine Arts |
1965-1967 |
| 9
|
9 |
Institute of Hebrew Studies |
1966-1967 |
| 9
|
10 |
International Student Center |
1967-1968 |
| 9
|
11 |
General Correspondence J |
1965-1968 |
| 9
|
12 |
General Correspondence K |
1965-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 10
|
1 |
King, Martin Luther, Scholarship |
1968 |
| 10
|
2 |
King, Martin Luther, Scholarship |
1968 |
| 10
|
3 |
King, Martin Luther, Scholarship |
1968 |
| 10
|
4 |
King, Kartin Luther, Scholarship - Complaints |
1968 |
| 10
|
5 |
King, Martin Luther, Scholarship - other disadvantaged minorities |
1968 |
| 10
|
6 |
King, Martin Luther, Scholarship - Poor
Peoples Campaign
|
1968 |
| 10
|
7 |
General Correspondence
L-LI
|
1964-1968 |
| 10
|
8 |
General Correspondence LO-LU |
1966-1967 |
| 10
|
9 |
Law, School of |
1965 |
| 10
|
10 |
Law, School of |
1966-1968 |
| 10
|
11 |
Law, School of - Selection of New Dean |
1966-1967 |
| 10
|
12 |
Libraries, Correspondence |
1965-1967 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 11
|
1 |
General
Correspondence M
|
1968-1969 |
| 11
|
2 |
General Correspondence
MA-MC
|
1964-1967 |
| 11
|
3 |
General Correspondence
ME-MI
|
1964-1967 |
| 11
|
4 |
General Correspondence
MH-MZ
|
1964-1967 |
| 11
|
5 |
Medical Center, Bellvue
Hospital
|
1967-1968 |
| 11
|
6 |
Medical Center, General
Correspondence
|
1966-1968 |
| 11
|
7 |
Medical Center Board |
1968 |
| 11
|
8 |
Medical Center Board |
1964-1967 |
| 11
|
9 |
Medical Center Board, Committees |
1965-1967 |
| 11
|
10 |
Medical Center Board, Committees - Long Range
Planning and Development
|
1967 |
| 11
|
11 |
Medical Center
Institute of Rehabitation Medicine
|
1967-1968 |
| 11
|
12 |
Medical
Center School of Medicine
|
1966-1968 |
| 11
|
13 |
Metropolitian
Leadership Program
|
1964-1967 |
| 11
|
14 |
Middle States
Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
|
1965-1967 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 12
|
1 |
Miller, Montgomery, Spaulding & Porth |
1966-1967 |
| 12
|
2 |
General Correspondence N |
1967-1969 |
| 12
|
3 |
General Correspondence NA |
1965-1968 |
| 12
|
4 |
General Correspondence NE-NZ |
1963-1967 |
| 12
|
5 |
New York City, General Correspondence |
1965-1967 |
| 12
|
6 |
New York State, General Correspondence |
1965-1967 |
| 12
|
7 |
New York State, Bundy Committee |
1967 |
| 12
|
8 |
New York State, Citizens Committee for an Effective Constitution |
1965-1966 |
| 12
|
9 |
New York State, Constitutional Convention
RE: Travia Letter
|
1967 |
| 12
|
10 |
New York State,
Department of Mental Hygiene Proposed Institute on Alcholism
|
1967 |
| 12
|
11 |
New York State, State University of New York - Board of Regents |
1964-1965 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 13
|
1 |
NYS, SUNY, City University of New York |
1966 |
| 13
|
2 |
NYS, SUNY, Engineer Shortage |
1966-1967 |
| 13
|
3 |
NYS, SUNY, Regents 92nd Convention |
1966 |
| 13
|
4 |
NYS, University of the State of New York
- Board of Regents
|
1966-1967 |
| 13
|
5 |
NYS,University of the
State of New York - State Education Department
|
1966-1967 |
| 13
|
6 |
General Correspondence O |
1965-1968 |
| 13
|
7 |
General Correspondence P |
1962-1967 |
| 13
|
8 |
General
Correspondence P
|
1967-1969 |
| 13
|
9 |
Peace Corps |
1965-1966 |
| 13
|
10 |
Placement Services |
1966-1967 |
| 13
|
11 |
Plans Room |
1968 |
| 13
|
12 |
Plant and
Properties
|
1966-1968 |
| 13
|
13 |
Plant and Properties,
Housing, Director of
|
1965-1966 |
| 13
|
14 |
Plant and
Properties, Housing, Weinstein
|
1966-1968 |
| 13
|
15 |
Presidential Citations |
1966-1968 |
| 13
|
16 |
Presidential Robe |
1961-1964 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 14
|
1 |
Presidents office, Assistants to |
1965-1966 |
| 14
|
2 |
Presidents Office, Assistants to - Student Affairs |
1965-1967 |
| 14
|
3 |
Presidents Office, General Correspondence |
1964-1965 |
| 14
|
4 |
Presidents Office, Presidents Council |
1965-1966 |
| 14
|
5 |
Presidents Office, Special Assistant to |
1966-1967 |
| 14
|
6 |
Press, University |
1966 |
| 14
|
7 |
Provost, University |
1966-1967 |
| 14
|
8 |
General Correspondence Q |
1969 |
| 14
|
9 |
General
Correspondence R
|
1967-1969 |
| 14
|
10 |
General Correspondence
RAB-ROB
|
1964-1969 |
| 14
|
11 |
General Correspondence
ROC-RUT
|
1964-1969 |
| 14
|
12 |
Registar |
1965-1968 |
| 14
|
13 |
Religious Activities, Catholic Center |
1966-1967 |
| 14
|
14 |
Religious Activities, General Correspondence |
1965-1966 |
| 14
|
15 |
Religious Activities, Jewish Culture
Foundation
|
1965-1967 |
| 14
|
16 |
Research Services |
1965-1966 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 15
|
1 |
ROTC |
1965-1967 |
| 15
|
2 |
General Correspondence S |
1966-1969 |
| 15
|
3 |
General Correspondence SA-SL |
1965-1969 |
| 15
|
4 |
General Correspondence SM-SZ |
1966-1969 |
| 15
|
5 |
Senate Committee on Student Participation |
1966-1967 |
| 15
|
6 |
Senate, University, Committees |
1962-1967 |
| 15
|
7 |
Senate, University, Correspondence |
1965-1967 |
| 15
|
8 |
Senate, University, Elected Groups |
1965-1967 |
| 15
|
9 |
Sterling Forest |
1967 |
| 15
|
10 |
Student
Activities
|
1965-1966 |
| 15
|
11 |
Student Activities |
1967-1968 |
| 15
|
12 |
Student Activities, AD-HOC Committee
for a Democratic University
|
1967-1968 |
| 15
|
13 |
Student
Activities, AD-HOC Committee to Oppose Tutition Increase
|
1966-1968 |
| 15
|
14 |
Student Activities, Black Allied Students Association |
1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 16
|
1 |
Student Activities, Coffee Hours |
1966-1968 |
| 16
|
2 |
Student Activities, Fraternities |
1964-1967 |
| 16
|
3 |
Student Activities, General Correspondence |
1967 |
| 16
|
4 |
Student Activities, Glee Club |
1965-1968 |
| 16
|
5 |
Student Activities, Graduate Student Organizations |
1968 |
| 16
|
6 |
Student Activities, Newspapers |
1967-1969 |
| 16
|
7 |
Student Activities, Newspapers - Heights Daily News |
1964-1967 |
| 16
|
8 |
Student Activities, Newspapers - Washington Square
Journal
|
1964-1968 |
| 16
|
9 |
Student Activities,
Presidental Forum
|
1967 |
| 16
|
10 |
Student Activities,
Publications
|
1965-1968 |
| 16
|
11 |
Student Activities,
Publications - Yearbooks
|
1965-1967 |
| 16
|
12 |
Student Activities,
Recruitment
|
1967-1969 |
| 16
|
13 |
Student Activities,
Religious Activities
|
1967-1968 |
| 16
|
14 |
Student Activities,
Sororities
|
1965-1967 |
| 16
|
15 |
Student Activities,
Students for a Democratic Society
|
1968 |
| 16
|
16 |
Student
Activities, University Heights Center
|
1965-1967 |
| 16
|
17 |
Student Activities, Whitman House |
1967 |
| 16
|
18 |
Student
Activities, WNYU Station
|
1967-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 17
|
1 |
General
Correspondence TA-TE
|
1965-1969 |
| 17
|
2 |
General
Correspondence TH-TY
|
1967-1969 |
| 17
|
3 |
Treasurer |
1967-1968 |
| 17
|
4 |
General Correspondence U |
1965-1968 |
| 17
|
5 |
United States Government |
1965-1967 |
| 17
|
6 |
U.S. Government, Legislation |
1962-1963 |
| 17
|
7 |
U.S. Government, Legislation |
1964 |
| 17
|
8 |
U.S. Government, Legislation |
1964 |
| 17
|
9 |
U.S.
Government, Legislation
|
1965 |
| 17
|
10 |
U.S. Government,
Legislation
|
1965 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 18
|
1 |
U.S. Government, Legislation |
1966-1967 |
| 18
|
2 |
U.S. Government, Legislation, Health
Professors, Education Assistance of
|
1963 |
| 18
|
3 |
U.S.
Government, Legislation, Proposed National Humanities Foundation
|
1964-1965 |
| 18
|
4 |
U.S. Government, National Science Foundation |
1965-1966 |
| 18
|
6 |
University College of Arts and Sciences |
1967-1968 |
| 18
|
7 |
University Tax Advisor |
1965-1967 |
| 18
|
8 |
University Valley |
1964-1967 |
| 18
|
9 |
General Correspondence V |
1966-1969 |
| 18
|
10 |
Vice President for Acedemic Affairs |
1967-1968 |
| 18
|
11 |
Vice President for Business Affairs |
1965-1967 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 19
|
1 |
Vice
President for Humanities and Social Sciences
|
1966-1967 |
| 19
|
2 |
Vice President for Institutional Facilities |
1967-1968 |
| 19
|
3 |
Vice President for Scientific Affairs |
1965 |
| 19
|
4 |
Vice President for Scientific Affairs |
1966 |
| 19
|
5 |
Vice President and Secretary and General Council |
1966-1968 |
| 19
|
6 |
General Correspondence WA-WASE |
1965-1968 |
| 19
|
7 |
General Correspondence WASH-WAY |
1965-1969 |
|
| 19
|
8 |
General
Correspondence WD-Western
|
1967-1969 |
| 19
|
9 |
General
Correspondence Western-WHN
|
1967-1969 |
| 19
|
10 |
General
Correspondence WI
|
19581966-1968 |
| Box |
Folder |
Title |
Date |
| 20
|
1 |
General Correspondence WN-WY |
1966-1969 |
| 20
|
2 |
Washington Square, College of, Arts and Sciences |
1965-1966 |
| 20
|
3 |
Washington Square, College of, Arts and Sciences |
1966-1968 |
| 20
|
4 |
General Correspondence Y |
1967-1969 |
| 20
|
5 |
General Correspondence ZA-ZE |
1966-1969 |
| 20
|
6 |
General Correspondence ZI-ZU |
1966-1969 |
|
