Table of Contents
- Collection Summary
- Administrative History
- Scope and Content Note
- Subject Headings
- Administrative Information
- Access and Use
- Encoding Information
- Container List
Collection Summary
| Repository: | Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries |
|---|---|
| Creator: | Vassar College |
| Title: | Vassar College 1971 Sit-In Records |
| Dates: | 1970-1971 |
| Quantity: | 0.7 cubic feet (2 boxes and one film reel) |
| Abstract: | Correspondence, reports, film, and audiotape relating to the 1971 Vassar College Sit-In, which was inspired by tenure decisions and academic governance issues at the College |
Administrative History
From April 22 to May 5, 1971, student activists occupied the administration wing of Vassar’s Main Building to protest the College’s tenure process. On May 27, 1971, the College Court found 11 seniors and 52 underclassmen guilty of disobeying public order regulations. They all received "suspended expulsion." The records show that, over the previous year, tensions had risen over several tenure decisions as well as college governance issues.
TopScope and Content Note
The records document the growing discontent among Vassar College students in 1970 and 1971 regarding tenure decisions and academic governance that led to the two-week-long occupation of administrative offices in Main Building. Materials discuss individual tenure cases, student and faculty reactions, and responses from the administration and trustees. A workprint of a film about the event Endless Bummer by Bruce Styne, Vassar Class of 1974, is included.
Also of interest is correspondence from a student at Colgate University offering guidance on how to manage a long sit-in protest, and material relating to Vassar's negotiations with Union College and Syracuse University to establish a Graduate Center in Science, Technology and Human Affairs.
TopAccess and Use
Access
Film and audiotape materials are restricted due to fragility; surrogate copies must be made at the expense of the researcher. The rest of the collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.
Subject Headings
Subjects:
- Student protesters
Organizations:
- Vassar College--Students
Document Types:
- Audiotapes
- Film (material by form)
VCL Categories
- Vassar College Events and Issues
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Due to the condition of the 16 mm film and audiotape, surrogate copies must be used and made at the researcher's expense.
TopAdministrative Information
Preferred Citation
Vassar College 1971 Sit-In Records, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Bruce Styne, Vassar Class of 1974
Container List
| Folder 1.1 | Correspondence, reports, clippings |
| Folder 1.2 | Correspondence, reports, clippings |
| Box 2 | Film (3 reels) |
| Box 2 | Audiotape. Outside Main Interview, Thursday; Jewett Speech, Thursday evening |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 5: E. Inman Fox |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 6: More Jewett House Meeting, Thursday night; Thursday night |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 7: Kurt Beck, Linda Pommer |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 8: Outside Aula, 4/23/71; Circle in Front of Main, Friday Afternoon |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 9: Sunday [4]/25, North Wing 7:00 meeting; Monday 4/26 North Wing |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 10: Devin Sounds; Dance of the Hours; Larry Wittner [Lawrence S. Wittner] |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 11: [illegible] |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 12: Larry Wittner |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 13: John Christie 12/2/71; VC Sit-in Mr. Christie |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 14: Norman-end of sit-in; Warren [illegible] |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 15: D. Merrill, 2/29 |
| Box 2 | Audiotape 16: Vassar Spring Revolution (crossed out); Ted Lieverman Red Side |
| Film Reel | Endless Bummer, Bruce Styne. (VC Student Sit-In 1971) Workprint. |
Return to the Table of Contents
Details
Correspondence, reports, film, and audiotape relating to the 1971 Vassar College Sit-In, which was inspired by tenure decisions and academic governance issues at the College
