Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records
Collection
Identifier: WSR000285
Scope and Content
The Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records contains correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes and agendas, financial records, proposals, agreements and contracts, committee rosters and reports, speeches, photographs, and news clippings. Particularly well documented are the university’s affirmative action policy, collective bargaining, organization and administration of colleges and schools, School of Medicine and its affiliations, University Relations Division, development of the University Clinics Building, committees, the President’s Council of State Colleges and Universities, and Michigan legislation as it relates to higher education.
Part 1 documents the Gullen administration from 1960-1974. Part 2 documents the Gullen administration from 1964-1978, with bulk dates of 1972-1978.
Part 1 Series Description:
Series I, 1960-1970, Boxes 1-2: University committees and commissions, policy making, programs, and campus development.
Series II, 1971, Boxes 2-9: University finances, colleges and schools, committees and commissions, policy making, fundraising, programs, campus development, and organizations related to higher education.
Series III, 1972, Boxes 9-20: University policy making, colleges and schools, committees and commissions, programs, centers and institutes, College of Medicine affiliations, governmental relations, fundraising, relations with other universities, campus development, and organizations related to higher education.
Series IV, 1973-1974, Box 20: Campus development, university programs, candidates for the College of Education and Law School deanships, and programs attended and regretted by the President’s Office.
Part 1 documents the Gullen administration from 1960-1974. Part 2 documents the Gullen administration from 1964-1978, with bulk dates of 1972-1978.
Part 1 Series Description:
Series I, 1960-1970, Boxes 1-2: University committees and commissions, policy making, programs, and campus development.
Series II, 1971, Boxes 2-9: University finances, colleges and schools, committees and commissions, policy making, fundraising, programs, campus development, and organizations related to higher education.
Series III, 1972, Boxes 9-20: University policy making, colleges and schools, committees and commissions, programs, centers and institutes, College of Medicine affiliations, governmental relations, fundraising, relations with other universities, campus development, and organizations related to higher education.
Series IV, 1973-1974, Box 20: Campus development, university programs, candidates for the College of Education and Law School deanships, and programs attended and regretted by the President’s Office.
Part 2 Series Description:
Series V, University Administration, 1964-1978, Boxes 21-28: Subseries A, Board of Governors, 1971-1976, Boxes 21-22: Meeting minutes and agendas of the Board of Governors and Executive Committee; Subseries B, Policy, 1964-1976, Boxes 22-23: Correspondence, memoranda, and annual reports regarding university policies; Subseries C, Financial Records, 1972-1977, Boxes 23-24: University budgets, reports, and insurance policies; Subseries D, General Administrative Matters, 1968-1978, Boxes 24-28: Alphabetical correspondence, chronological correspondence, minutes and agendas of University Council, personnel files, and administrative conference files.
Series VI, University Colleges, Schools, Programs, Offices, and Departments, 1967-1978, Boxes 28-49: Subseries A, Colleges, Schools, and Academic Divisions, 1967-1978, Boxes 28-38: Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agendas, reports, and financial records regarding the administration and organization of university colleges, schools, and academic departments; Subseries B, Programs, Offices, Departments, and Other Units, 1970-1978, Boxes 38-47: Correspondence, memoranda, proposals, reports, and photographs regarding non-academic university programs, offices, centers, and institutes; Subseries C, Campus Development, 1967-1978, Boxes 47-49: Correspondence, financial records, proposals, contracts, and agreements regarding the physical development of campus.
Series VII, University Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces, 1970-1978, Boxes 49-53: Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agendas, rosters, and reports of university committees, commissions, and task forces.
Series VIII, Non-University Organizations, 1970-1979, Boxes 53-60: Subseries A, Associations, 1972-1976, Boxes 53-55: Correspondence with non-university associations related to higher education, urban universities, and Detroit; Subseries B, Foundations, 1973-1976, Box 55: Correspondence with non-university foundations and funds; Subseries C, President's Council of State Colleges and Universities, 1970-1979, Boxes 55-58: Meeting distributions, minutes, and agendas of the President's Council of State Colleges and Universities.
Subseries D, Other Organizations, 1971-1978, Boxes 58-60: Correspondence with other non-university organizations and committees related to higher education, Michigan, and Detroit.
Series IX, Governmental Relations, 1973-1977, Boxes 60-61: Correspondence regarding higher education legislation in Michigan and at the federal level and meeting materials for Michigan governor’s commissions.
Series X, Other Universities, Colleges, and Schools, 1972-1977, Boxes 61-62: Correspondence and agreements with other universities, colleges, and schools, particularly Detroit and Michigan institutions of higher education.
Series XI, President's Office Administration, 1966-1977, Boxes 62-65: Correspondence, program invitations, budgets, and staff agendas for the Office of the President.
Series XII, Speeches and Public Statements, 1968-1978, Boxes 65-67: Speeches and public statements by George Gullen Jr., including campus-wide letters to students and faculty.
Series XIII, Photographs and News Clippings, 1967-1978, undated, Box 68: Photographs and news clippings of significant events during the Gullen administration.
Series V, University Administration, 1964-1978, Boxes 21-28: Subseries A, Board of Governors, 1971-1976, Boxes 21-22: Meeting minutes and agendas of the Board of Governors and Executive Committee; Subseries B, Policy, 1964-1976, Boxes 22-23: Correspondence, memoranda, and annual reports regarding university policies; Subseries C, Financial Records, 1972-1977, Boxes 23-24: University budgets, reports, and insurance policies; Subseries D, General Administrative Matters, 1968-1978, Boxes 24-28: Alphabetical correspondence, chronological correspondence, minutes and agendas of University Council, personnel files, and administrative conference files.
Series VI, University Colleges, Schools, Programs, Offices, and Departments, 1967-1978, Boxes 28-49: Subseries A, Colleges, Schools, and Academic Divisions, 1967-1978, Boxes 28-38: Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agendas, reports, and financial records regarding the administration and organization of university colleges, schools, and academic departments; Subseries B, Programs, Offices, Departments, and Other Units, 1970-1978, Boxes 38-47: Correspondence, memoranda, proposals, reports, and photographs regarding non-academic university programs, offices, centers, and institutes; Subseries C, Campus Development, 1967-1978, Boxes 47-49: Correspondence, financial records, proposals, contracts, and agreements regarding the physical development of campus.
Series VII, University Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces, 1970-1978, Boxes 49-53: Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agendas, rosters, and reports of university committees, commissions, and task forces.
Series VIII, Non-University Organizations, 1970-1979, Boxes 53-60: Subseries A, Associations, 1972-1976, Boxes 53-55: Correspondence with non-university associations related to higher education, urban universities, and Detroit; Subseries B, Foundations, 1973-1976, Box 55: Correspondence with non-university foundations and funds; Subseries C, President's Council of State Colleges and Universities, 1970-1979, Boxes 55-58: Meeting distributions, minutes, and agendas of the President's Council of State Colleges and Universities.
Subseries D, Other Organizations, 1971-1978, Boxes 58-60: Correspondence with other non-university organizations and committees related to higher education, Michigan, and Detroit.
Series IX, Governmental Relations, 1973-1977, Boxes 60-61: Correspondence regarding higher education legislation in Michigan and at the federal level and meeting materials for Michigan governor’s commissions.
Series X, Other Universities, Colleges, and Schools, 1972-1977, Boxes 61-62: Correspondence and agreements with other universities, colleges, and schools, particularly Detroit and Michigan institutions of higher education.
Series XI, President's Office Administration, 1966-1977, Boxes 62-65: Correspondence, program invitations, budgets, and staff agendas for the Office of the President.
Series XII, Speeches and Public Statements, 1968-1978, Boxes 65-67: Speeches and public statements by George Gullen Jr., including campus-wide letters to students and faculty.
Series XIII, Photographs and News Clippings, 1967-1978, undated, Box 68: Photographs and news clippings of significant events during the Gullen administration.
Dates
- 1960-1979
- Majority of material found within 1972-1978
Creator
- Gullen, George E., Jr. (Person)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.
Biographical / Historical
George E. Gullen Jr. was the sixth president of Wayne State University. An alumnus, he first joined the university in an official capacity as Vice President of University Relations in 1966 after serving ten years as a vice president of American Motors Corporation. In 1971, he was named acting president of Wayne State following the resignation of William R. Keast. Gullen was fully appointed as university president in 1972.
Throughout Gullen’s presidency, many developments were made both academically and physically to Wayne State University. Academic units such as the College of Education and Graduate Division were reorganized, the university began phasing out Monteith College, and the College of Lifelong Learning was established. As a great deal of physical expansion took place during Gullen’s tenure, Wayne State grew from a collection of buildings into a college campus. The university built the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs, the Kresge Research Building, the DeRoy Apartment Building, several malls, and the University Clinics Building. Under his leadership, the Wayne State University School of Medicine became the largest single-campus medical school in the nation.
Despite such growth, Wayne State experienced financial hardship during this time. This required the university to layoff employees and increase tuition. Facing resistance from students, staff, and faculty, Gullen used his position to lobby for additional aid from the Michigan legislature. He also worked to engage local politicians, businesses, and community groups, leading to advantageous partnerships for the university. During Gullen’s tenure, Wayne State also took steps to address gender inequality and inequity. In the 1970s, the university adopted an affirmative action policy, established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, created a Women’s Center, and made salary equity adjustments to women. Gullen also appointed the first woman vice president in the university’s history, Dorothy L. Frackelton.
George Gullen stepped down as President of Wayne State University in 1978 at the age of 65, as required by the university’s age policy. He was succeeded by Thomas N. Bonner who served in the position until 1982.
Throughout Gullen’s presidency, many developments were made both academically and physically to Wayne State University. Academic units such as the College of Education and Graduate Division were reorganized, the university began phasing out Monteith College, and the College of Lifelong Learning was established. As a great deal of physical expansion took place during Gullen’s tenure, Wayne State grew from a collection of buildings into a college campus. The university built the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs, the Kresge Research Building, the DeRoy Apartment Building, several malls, and the University Clinics Building. Under his leadership, the Wayne State University School of Medicine became the largest single-campus medical school in the nation.
Despite such growth, Wayne State experienced financial hardship during this time. This required the university to layoff employees and increase tuition. Facing resistance from students, staff, and faculty, Gullen used his position to lobby for additional aid from the Michigan legislature. He also worked to engage local politicians, businesses, and community groups, leading to advantageous partnerships for the university. During Gullen’s tenure, Wayne State also took steps to address gender inequality and inequity. In the 1970s, the university adopted an affirmative action policy, established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, created a Women’s Center, and made salary equity adjustments to women. Gullen also appointed the first woman vice president in the university’s history, Dorothy L. Frackelton.
George Gullen stepped down as President of Wayne State University in 1978 at the age of 65, as required by the university’s age policy. He was succeeded by Thomas N. Bonner who served in the position until 1982.
Extent
67.5 Linear Feet (67 SB, 1 MB)
Abstract
George E. Gullen Jr. was the sixth president of Wayne State University. An alumnus, he first joined the university in an official capacity as Vice President of University Relations in 1966 after serving ten years as a vice president of American Motors Corporation. Gullen was named acting president of Wayne State in 1971 and fully appointed as university president in 1972. He stepped down as President in 1978.
During Gullen’s presidency, many developments were made both academically and physically to Wayne State University. Academic units were reorganized and the university broke ground on many structures and buildings. Under his leadership, the Wayne State University School of Medicine became the largest single-campus medical school in the nation. During this time, the university also took steps to address gender inequality and inequity by adopting an affirmative action policy, establishing the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, creating a Women’s Center, and making salary equity adjustments for women. Gullen also appointed the first woman vice president in the university’s history.
This collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes and agendas, financial records, proposals, agreements and contracts, committee rosters and reports, speeches, photographs, and news clippings documenting George Gullen Jr.’s presidency and the work of the Office of the President during his tenure. Particularly well documented are the university’s affirmative action policy, the organization and administration of colleges and schools, the development of the University Clinics Building and the School of Medicine, university committees, and relations with the Michigan legislature.
During Gullen’s presidency, many developments were made both academically and physically to Wayne State University. Academic units were reorganized and the university broke ground on many structures and buildings. Under his leadership, the Wayne State University School of Medicine became the largest single-campus medical school in the nation. During this time, the university also took steps to address gender inequality and inequity by adopting an affirmative action policy, establishing the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, creating a Women’s Center, and making salary equity adjustments for women. Gullen also appointed the first woman vice president in the university’s history.
This collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes and agendas, financial records, proposals, agreements and contracts, committee rosters and reports, speeches, photographs, and news clippings documenting George Gullen Jr.’s presidency and the work of the Office of the President during his tenure. Particularly well documented are the university’s affirmative action policy, the organization and administration of colleges and schools, the development of the University Clinics Building and the School of Medicine, university committees, and relations with the Michigan legislature.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 2 Parts and 13 series.
Part 1 is arranged in 4 series: Series 1 (Box 1), Series 2 (Boxes 2-9), Series 3 (Boxes 9-20), and Series 4 (Box 20). Folders within these series are arranged chronologically by subject.
Part 1 is arranged in 4 series: Series 1 (Box 1), Series 2 (Boxes 2-9), Series 3 (Boxes 9-20), and Series 4 (Box 20). Folders within these series are arranged chronologically by subject.
Part 2 is arranged in 9 series: Series 5 (Boxes 21-28), Series 6 (Boxes 28-49), Series 7 (Boxes 49-53), Series 8 (Boxes 53-60), Series 9 (Boxes 60-61), Series 10 (Boxes 61-62), Series 11 (Boxes 62-65), Series 12 (Boxes 65-67), and Series 13 (Box 68). These series and their subseries are arranged according to the file structure of the Office of the President. Folders within these series are arranged chronologically by subject.
Acquisition
Part 1: Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records, Part 1 were transferred to the Walter P. Reuther Library from the Office of the President in four accessions on September 7, 1974; January 29, 1975; April 9, 1975; and August 22, 1975.
Part 2: Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records, Part 2 were transferred to the Walter P. Reuther Library from the Office of the President in eight accessions on September 14, 1976; October 21, 1977; July 21, 1978; April 12, 1979; May 7, 1979; August 30, 1979; October 31, 1979; and October 15, 1980. A ninth accession received April 29, 1980 was transferred from Mildred Jeffrey’s office at the Board of Governors.
Processing History
Part 1 processed and finding aid written by Elizabeth Nicholson on April 11, 2017.
Part 2 processed and finding aid updated by Taylor Henning on March 28, 2022.
Note on accession sheet indicates boxes were culled for President Keast files on February 06, 1974. In addition, the following files were moved from George E. Gullen Jr. Papers to Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records: Commission on the Status of Women, 1975-1977, undated; Student Newspaper Publication Board, 1976-1978; Student-Faculty Council, 1976; Monitoring Commission on Detroit School Desegregation Case, 1976; Economic Growth Council, 1977-1978; Policy Manual of the Student Newspaper Publications Board, 1977; School of Medicine Budget Requests, 1968-1969; and Correspondence with Charles Verheyden, 1968-1976.
Creator
- Gullen, George E., Jr. (Person)
- Wayne State University. Office of the President (Organization)
- Wayne State University (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Wayne State University Office of the President: George E. Gullen Jr. Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Taylor Henning and Elizabeth Nicholson.
- Date
- 2022-03-28
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2017-04-11: Part 1 processed and finding aid written by Elizabeth Nicholson.
- 2022-03-28: Part 2 processed and finding aid updated by Taylor Henning.
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA