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Records of the President

 Record Group
Identifier: RG-002

Scope and Contents

The Records of the President span the years of 1783-2024 with the bulk from 1940-1980. They are comprised of minutes, government documents, correspondence, reports, speeches, administrative papers, statements, budgets, and newspaper clippings. The collection is organized in the following series: Board of Presidents, Government, Associations & Organizations, President's Council, President's Cabinet, University Forum, SU Foundation, General Business, Committees, Budget, and each president has been given his/her own series.

This record group documents the academic and administrative goals, regulations, and management of the institution. This is a large collection that is arranged alphabetically. Reports, minutes, budgets, and some memos/correspondence are arranged alphabetically but followed in a chronological order. This collection was already orgaized by a previous administration, but additional series were needed to make it more organized and comprehensible. There is a gap in the series (12-14) to leave room for growth. Series 15-31 are for individual presidents. Series 15-21 are located in the same box because they are each very small. Some of them do not have any files, but the space was saved for that particular president. Series 22 (Ezra Lehman) includes an extensive collection of his manuscripts. Series 23 (Albert Lindsay Rowland) contains correspondence pertaining to WWII. Series 24 (Levi Gilbert) includes handwritten historical accounts from previous students that were gathered in order to put together a history of the normal school, which does not appear to have ever been completed. Series 27 (Gilmore B. Seavers) is a large series that contains sub-series. In particular, Sub-Series 2 (Centennial) holds records that document the planning and execution of the 100-year anniversary celebration/events. Series 28 (Anthony F. Ceddia) is an extensive collection of artifacts, administrative documents, correspondence, and speeches. Most notably, Sub-Series 8 (Events), shows how involved Dr. Ceddia was within the campus community and in the surrounding communities.

Dates

  • 1872-2024, bulk 1940-1980

Conditions Governing Access

The majority of this collection is open for research. Access to Series 2, Sub-Series 1, Box 1, Folder 5; Series 9, Box 3, Folder 8; Series 26, Sub-Series 2, Box 1, Folder 18; Series 26, Sub-Series 3, Box 1, Folders 10 and 14; Series 27, Sub-Series 2, Box 1, Folder 4; Series 27, Sub-Series 3, Box 1, Folder 22; Series 27, Sub-Series 3, Box 5, Folder 7; Series 28, Sub-Series 2, Box 5, Folder 1; and Series 28, Sub-Series 8, Box 3, Folder 4 are restricted for privacy concerns. There are more detailed notes at the file level. Please contact the archives for terms of use.

Biographical / Historical

The principals/presidents of the institution are elected by the Board of Trustees. In 1872, the Board of Trustees elected George P. Beard as the first principal of the Cumberland Valley Normal School. The Board of Trustees reserved the right to choose each principal/president of the school until sometime in the 20th century when the Board of Trustees began to use a Presidential Selection Committee that was represented by members from the "faculty, student body, alumni, and Board of Trustees" who worked together to recommend a name to the Board of Trustees. In 1925 the state purchased the normal schools at which time the State Council of Education formalized regulations for the schools. They also set the minimum qualifications needed for presidential candidates. At this time, the person selected by the Board of Trustees to be president of the school had to also be approved by the Governor of the state.

The president is the chief administrative officer of the college. He/she serves as a member of the Board of Presidents. The president is required to direct and administer all the activities of the college following all state laws governing higher education institutions. The role of the president has changed significantly over time. A president once had the sole responsibility of student discipline, hiring faculty, and planning curriculum just to note a few. In the 21st century, the president works closely with other administrators, personnel, and committees to provide oversight and input in these and other activities.

Two groups directly assist the President in the operation of the institution. The first is the Executive Management Team (EMT), which includes the Provost and Senior Vince President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Vice President for Information Technologies and Services, the Executive Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations, and the President and CEO of the Shippensburg University Foundation. The EMT advises the President on all University policy. The second group is the President's Cabinet, a larger group that includes academic deans and directors, selected administrators (including members of the EMT), and the Chair of the University Forum, who is a faculty member. (Self Study Report, 2009, Page 5)

Extent

48.52 Linear Feet (126 archives boxes, 1 oversize newspaper box, and 4 record cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The principals/presidents of the institution are elected by the Board of Trustees. In 1872, the Board of Trustees elected George P. Beard as the first principal of the Cumberland Valley Normal School. The Board of Trustees reserved the right to choose each principal/president of the school until sometime in the 20th century when the Board of Trustees began to use a Presidential Selection Committee that was represented by members from the "faculty, student body, alumni, and Board of Trustees" who worked together to recommend a name to the Board of Trustees. In 1925 the state purchased the normal schools at which time the State Council of Education formalized regulations for the schools. They also set the minimum qualifications needed for presidential candidates. At this time, the person selected by the Board of Trustees to be president of the school had to also be approved by the Governor of the state.

The president is the chief administrative officer of the college. He/she serves as a member of the Board of Presidents. The president is required to direct and administer all the activities of the college following all state laws governing higher education institutions. The role of the president has changed significantly over time. A president once had the sole responsibility of student discipline, hiring faculty, and planning curriculum just to note a few. In the 21st century, the president works closely with other administrators, personnel, and committees to provide oversight and input in these and other activities.

Two groups directly assist the President in the operation of the institution. The first is the Executive Management Team (EMT), which includes the Provost and Senior Vince President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Vice President for Information Technologies and Services, the Executive Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations, and the President and CEO of the Shippensburg University Foundation. The EMT advises the President on all University policy. The second group is the President's Cabinet, a larger group that includes academic deans and directors, selected administrators (including members of the EMT), and the Chair of the University Forum, who is a faculty member. (Self Study Report, 2009, Page 5)

Custodial History

This reocrd group was received by Archives & Special Collections as a records transfer.

Processing Information

This collection was already organized by previous Archives staff, but additional series were needed to make it more organized and comprehensible. There is a gap in the series (13-14) to allow room for growth. Series 15-31 are the records of individual presidents. Series 15-21 are located in the same box because they are each very small. Some of them do not have any files, but the space was saved for that particular president in the hopes that records may surface in the future. The Archives received several boxes of documents from the Office of the President and the Communications/Marketing Office to be added into this record group. The additional series were developed at this time to allow for better discovery and access of the materials.
Status
Completed
Author
Melanie Reed
Date
January 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Ezra Lehman Memorial Library room 207
Shippensburg University of PA
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg PA 17257
717-477-1123 x3357