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Charters, Laws, Regulations and By-laws, 1788-
1 linear foot.
Catalog Number: 1.1.1
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Series Description:
Charter, by-laws, rules and regulations and subsequent revisions.
These are copies of documents in the minutes of the Board of Trustees
and the Board of Overseers prior to 1996 and the Board of Trustees
thereafter. The bulk of this series is pamphlets printed by the
college. Also included are statements of rules of student conduct
produced by the college from 1817 and early documents related to
the establishment of the college in 1794. The earliest bound volume
is an 1808 manuscript by John Abbott, Overseer and Trustee and College
Librarian from 1802 to 1824.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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General Historical Records and Correspondence, 1788-1858, n.d.
0.50
linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.2
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Series Description:
This series contains historical College records and correspondence dating
from 1788. Box one includes a letter from Joseph McKeen stating his
conditions for accepting the presidency of the College, a letter
concerning the removal of William Allen from the presidency, and other
general historical College records. The material in box two is specific to
the founding of the College and includes a list, compiled in 1944, of
founding documents held by the Massachusetts Commonwealth Archives.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Records of the
Board of Overseers, 1794-1996
4 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.3
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Series Description:
This series contains the official records of the Board of Overseers.
It includes bound and indexed volumes of the minutes of Board meetings
from 1794 to 1996 when the Overseers were abolished. There is a
late nineteenth-century copy, covering the years 1794-1854, (the
contents of the first two original books and part of book number
3). In addition there is a one volume list of members of the Boards
that begins in 1794 and concludes with the last entries in 1996.
These volumes may also contain attached reports of Boards' committees.
Between 1912 and 1917 the report of the Visiting Committee is attached
to the minutes of the meetings. There are also loose copies of many
minutes and votes in Series 1.1.5 (Votes of the Board of Overseers
and the Board of Trustees).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted for ten years from date of creation
without written permission of the Secretary of the Board. Apply
for access through Department of Special Collections & Archives.
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| Records of the
Board of Trustees, 1794-
4 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.4
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Series Description:
Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees, including a summary
of votes taken, attached reports, and other additions. The records
are bound into volumes and have been indexed through the 1994-1995
academic year. There is a nineteenth-century
copy of the first volume (1794-1853) with a separate index. There
are loose copies of many minutes and votes available in
Series 1.1.5 (Votes of the Board of Overseers and The Board of Trustees).
Recent meeting schedules of events, agendas, minutes and committee
membership lists are foldered and temporarily contained in an archival box.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note: Also included are microfilm copies of the records of the Board
of Trustees, 1794-1906.
Restrictions: Restricted for ten years from date of creation
without the written permission of the Secretary of the Board. Apply
for access through Department of Special Collections & Archives.
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| Votes of the Board
of Overseers, 1794-1996, and the Board of Trustees, 1794-
11.25 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.5
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Series Description:
These records are manuscript copies of the Board of Overseers and
the Board of Trustees votes. They are the record copy of votes until
the votes are recorded in the official minutes. There may be some
general correspondence and committee reports in folders after 1917.
There is a chronological, item level, container list (called "Index")
for votes through 1896. The collection of votes may not be complete
prior to 1917. However, all votes are recorded in the minutes of
the Trustees (1.1.4) and the Overseers (1.1.3).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted for ten years from date of creation
without the written permission of the Secretary of the Board. Apply
for access through Department of Special Collections & Archives.
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| Committee Reports,
General, 1816-
2.0 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.6
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Series Description:
Unbound reports of the Board of Overseers and the Board of Trustees
committees. These may be standing committees or, more often, ad
hoc committees. Reports of other committees are contained within
separate series within the Board of Trustees records (i.e., Visiting
Committee, 1.1.7; Committee on Investments [Finance Committee],
1.1.8; Executive Committee, 1.1.9; Committee on Policy, 1.1.10;
and Study Committee on the Underclass Campus Environment [Pierce
Committee], 1.1.11).
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by committee.
General Note:
Restriction: Some files restricted as noted. Please consult
Archives for details.
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Reports of the Visiting Committee, 1826-1966
5.5 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.7
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Series Description:
The Visiting Committee, created in 1825, was a joint committee of
the Board of Overseers and the Board of Trustees. Committee members
visited the college and reported back to each Board their recommendations
concerning "policies or improvements." The Visiting Committee was
also authorized to "give a hearing to any member of the Faculty
who specially requests to be heard." Although this seldom happened,
it was a means by which a faculty member might bring a grievance
to the attention of the Boards without the President's consent.
In effect, the Committee set the agenda for the meetings of the
Boards and suggested changes that the Boards generally carried out.
Originally, the Visiting Committee oversaw all aspects of the college.
The Visiting Committee, together with the Examining Committee, was
the primary means of communicating information about the College
to the Boards. Reports from other college departments are often
attached. The Visiting Committee was discontinued in 1966. It was
replaced, in part, by the Committee on Policy (1.1.10).
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Committee on Investments
[Finance Committee] Minutes,
1898-1990
2.25 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.8
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Series Description:
This committee has direct control over all financial aspects of
the College. It is empowered to invest and re-invest the College's
financial assets. Records include minutes and some attached correspondence.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Closed for 20 years from date of creation.
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| Executive Committee
Minutes, 1921-
1.25 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.9
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Series Description:
The Executive Committee was created in 1921 to act for the Trustees
and Overseers when those groups are not in session. The committee
has wide ranging powers, but not the power to elect or remove the
President or to alter the by-laws. Originally, the committee members
were drawn only from Overseers and Trustees. By 1972, one faculty
member and one student were non-voting members. By 1981, one member
of the Alumni Council became a non-voting member. Records include
minutes of meetings and occasional attached correspondence. No committee
meetings were held in 1976.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted for ten years from date of creation
without the written permission of the Secretary of the Board. Apply
for access through Department of Special Collections & Archives.
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| Committee on Policy,
1966-1981
2 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.10
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Series Description:
The Committee on Policy was created to replace some of the functions
of the defunct Visiting and Examining Committees. Its charge was
to consider all matters of policy with respect to all activities
of the college, and to report to the full Boards its recommendations.
The Committee on Policy was discontinued in 1980. Its previous functions
were distributed among a number of new committees.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Closed for 20 years from date of creation.
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| Study Committee
on the Underclass Campus Environment [Pierce Committee], 1967-1970
0.75 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.11
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Series Description:
More commonly known as the Pierce Committee, after its chair, William
Pierce, this committee's 1969 report examined, among other things,
the issue of co-education at Bowdoin, and set into motion events
that led to the admission of the first women as regularly enrolled
students in the fall of 1971. The records contain the official report
as well as early drafts and some background research.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Court cases, 1833-1911
1833-1911, 2.5 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.12
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Series Description:
This series contains briefs, testimony, opinions and judgments rendered
in cases involving Bowdoin College and/or its agents. Cases include:
Garcelon-Merritt Fund Litigation (The President and Trustees of
Bowdoin College, et al. vs. James P. Merritt, et al. and In the
Matter of the Estate of Catharine M. Garcelon, 1892-1897); William
Allen vs. Joseph McKeen, Treasurer of Bowdoin College, 1833; Mary
F. S. Searles Will Case, 1891; Daviel B. Fayerweather Will and Litigation,
1897; and Batt et al., Executors of Coombs Will vs. Stevens et al.,
Treasurer of Massachusetts, 1911.
Arrangement: Arranged by case.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Committee on the Arctic
Museum, 1966-1967
0.5 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.13
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Series Description:
This series contains materials relating to the establishment of
the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum. Included in the records are correspondence,
reports and memos among the chair of the committee, John L. Baxter,
other committee members, Donald and Miriam MacMillan and others
involved in the project.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Biographical Files,
1794-
6.0 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.14
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Series Description:
Biographical files of former members of the Governing Boards.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Closed for 75 years from date of creation.
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| Directories, 1960
-
.25 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.15
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Series Description:
Printed pamphlets listing members of the Board of Trustees, Governing
Boards (prior to 1996) and the Board Committees. The pamphlets also
list brief biographical information and contact information. The
directories are distributed annually to the college community.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: None.
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| Committee on Governance,
1980-1996.
1linear foot.
Catalog Number: 1.1.16
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Series Description:
The Committee on Governance was created to determine if Bowdoin
College would continue to operate as a bicameral institution. The
committee ultimately decided to recharter Bowdoin as a unicameral
institution. The Board of Overseers was abolished, leaving the Board
of Trustees as the sole governing body. The records contain copies
of the final reports of the two convened committees, as well as
extensive background correspondence, minutes and notes.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted. Please consult Archives for details.
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| Presidential Search
Committees, 1977, 1981, 1989
1linear foot.
Catalog Number: 1.1.17
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Series Description:
A Presidential Search Committee is convened by the Board of Trustees
when the need for identifying and hiring a new college president
arises. The committee is responsible for vetting nominees and interviewing
candidates, and makes its recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted. Please consult Archives for details.
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| Commission on
Residential Life, 1987-1997, n.d.
4 linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.18
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Series Description:
The Commission on Residential Life was appointed by the Board of
Trustees in July 1996 in order to develop a philosophy for residential
life, assess all existing facilities and practices regarding residential
life in light of this philosophy, develop a long-range strategy
for the design of new housing and dining facilities and redesign
the old facilities, and evaluate the effectiveness of residential
life staffing and policies. It began such changes as introducing
the College House system to campus, as well as the phasing out of
fraternities.
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically.
General Note:
Restrictions: Boxes 3-5 restricted until 2032
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Realia, 1943, 1969, n.d.
.25
linear feet.
Catalog Number: 1.1.19
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Series Description:
Contains the ceremonial "Keys to the College," consisting of five brass
keys on a key ring, a cast pewter medallion on a silver chain with the
"Seal of the College" on the front and the inscription "First presented to
Roger Howell, Jr., on the occasion of his inauguration as the tenth
president of Bowdoin College by the fellow members of his Class of 1958,
October 3, 1969" on the reverse; and a gavel used at meetings of the Board
of Overseers (also used after 1996 at Board of Trustees meetings), which
is inscribed "Bowdoin College/Board of Overseers/Clement F. Robinson/1943
President."
Arrangement:
General Note:
Restrictions: Restricted. Please consult Archives for details.
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