Guide to the Bowdoin College Self-Study Reports, 1953-2006
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Self-Study Reports, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
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In 1955, the College published its first comprehensive self-evaluation report which was accepted by the faculty and governing boards with minor changes in 1956. Thereafter, with the exception of 1966, the College has conducted a self study every ten years in conjunction with the reaccreditation process. These reports are prepared for the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
The first report, entitled "The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College," was issued by the Committee on Self Study, a special faculty committee composed of a core group of faculty members. The purpose of this study was to validate Bowdoin's adherence to a conservative tradition in education. This report followed eighteen months of study in which almost all faculty members participated by serving on one of the many subcommittees. Several alumni and undergraduates also assisted the committee. While many factors initiated this inquiry, a significant one was the shift in administrations from the Hyde/Sills era. This comprehensive report focused on the following areas: the curriculum (i.e., requirements for the degree, rules concerning the major, etc.), admissions, the size of the college, student life and faculty affairs. Many of the recommendations were adopted.
In 1976, a second report was prepared. This report detailed the then current College organization and control, a curriculum review, faculty policies and practices, student enrollment and performance, financial reports and other statements and attachments. The 1986 report iterated new policies and procedures or reiterated old assumptions. For example, the by-laws of the College were revised in 1986; the report contains the new text. Also, program summaries, curriculum reviews, extra- and co-curricular activities, and detailed financial statements are included in the report. In 1996, a similarly comprehensive "state of the College" report was issued, detailing long and short term recommendations, with focus on the organization of residential life on campus. The 2006 self-study does not identify "areas of emphasis," but reflects on the College under the Commission's eleven standards. These standards are: Mission and Purpose, Planning and Evaluation, Organization and Governance, The Academic Program, Faculty, Students, Library and Other Information Services, Physical and Technological Resources, Financial Resources, Public Disclosure, and Integrity.
The collection contains self-study reports from 1956, 1976, 1986, 1996, and 2006. Also included are extensive committee and subcommittee records which were the basis of the 1956 self-study report, two folders of supplementary material for the 1996 report, and background material for the 2006 report.
This series contains self-study reports from 1956, 1976, 1986, 1996, and 2006.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
1955 Sep 1, The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College (Report of the Committee on Self Study with appendixes), copy 1
1955 Sep 1, The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College (Report of the Committee on Self Study with appendixes), copy 2
1955 Sep 1, The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College (Report of the Committee on Self Study with appendixes), copy 3
1956 Sep, The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College (1955 Report of the Committee on Self Study after acceptance by the faculty and governing boards with minor changes), copy 1
1956 Sep, The Conservative Tradition in Education at Bowdoin College (1955 Report of the Committee on Self Study after acceptance by the faculty and governing boards with minor changes), copy 2
1976 Sep, Institutional Self-Study Outline, part 1
1976 Sep, Institutional Self-Study Outline, part 2
1976 Sep, Institutional Self-Study Outline
1986 Aug, Institutional Self-Study Outline
1986 Aug, Institutional Self-Study Outline
1996 Sep, Bowdoin College Self-Study
1996 Sep, Bowdoin College Self-Study (spiral bound, without appendices)
1996 Sep, Bowdoin College Self-Study (spiral bound, without appendices)
2006 Sep, Bowdoin College Self-Study
This series contains extensive committee and subcommittee records which were the basis of the 1956 self-study report, two folders of supplementary material for the 1996 report, and background material for the 2006 report.
Arranged chronologically.
No restrictions.
Proposal to Fund for Advancement of Education 1953
Princeton Meeting 1954 (Non-Bowdoin Self Study Reports)
General
Boards and Faculty Votes
Alumni Questionnaire
Alumni Questionnaire - Statistics
Alumni Letters A - C (re: Questionnaire)
Alumni Letters D - H (re: Questionnaire)
Alumni Letters I - R (re: Questionnaire)
Alumni Letters R - Z (re: Questionnaire)
Correspondence 1953
Correspondence January - June 1954
Correspondence July - December 1954
Correspondence 1955
Correspondence 1956, 1957
Financial records
Graduate Statistics
GRE exam - Correspondence
GRE exam - Statistics
Committee on Self Study: Minutes (Folder 1/2)
Committee on Self Study: Minutes (Folder 2/2)
Material provided for Sub-committee membership to 1954 Nov 1
Sub-committee on Admissions - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Admissions - Background Correspondence
Sub-committee on Curriculum Problems - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Distribution Requirement - Minutes and Reports including History
Sub-committee on Distribution Requirement - Background Survey
Sub-committee on Faculty Problems and Teaching Methods - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Faculty Problems and Teaching Methods - Questionnaire, Statistics
Sub-committee on Faculty Problems and Teaching Methods - Completed Questionnaire
Sub-committee on Freshman Elective - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Language Requirement - Minutes and Reports including History
Sub-committee on Language Requirement - Background and Statistics
Sub-committee on Major Requirements and Honors Work: Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Major Requirements and Honors Work: Survey of Status of Major (1953 - 1954)
Sub-committee on Major Requirements and Honors Work: Statistics
Sub-committee on Major Requirements and Honors Work: Background Papers
Sub-committees on Qualitative - Quantitative Requirement - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committees on Qualitative - Quantitative Requirement - "C-Rule" Background
Sub-committee on Reading, Writing, Speaking - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Reading, Writing, Speaking - Background
Sub-committee on Size of College - Minutes and Report, Background
Sub-committee on Student Affairs - Minutes and Reports (Folder 1/2)
Sub-committee on Student Affairs - Minutes and Reports (Folder 2/2)
Sub-committee on Student Affairs - Background
Student Curriculum [Sub-] Committee - Report
Student Curriculum [Sub-] Committee - Background
Sub-committee on Tripartite Choice - Minutes and Reports
Sub-committee on Tripartite Choice - Statistics, Background
Supporting documents - bibliography
Appendices
2006 Self-Study report - list of background material in box 5
2006 Standard 3, TR3.1: Trustee demographics
2006 Standard 3, TR3.2: Trustee committees
2006 Standard 3, TR3.3: Statement of trustee roles and responsibilities
2006 Standard 3, TR3.5: Intellectual property policy
2006 Standard 3, TR3.6: List of committees with student representation
2006 Standard 4, TR4.1: Curriculum and Educational Policy Committee, motions approved 2004 May 24
2006 Standard 4, TR4.3: Memo - "Proposals for Interdisciplinary Team Taught Courses"
2006 Standard 4, TR4.4: Procedures for dept. and program reviews
2006 Standard 4, TR4.5: Off-Campus Study Committee annual report, 1996 May
2006 Standard 4, TR4.6: Final report - CBB off-campus study initiative
2006 Standard 4, TR4.7: College class size 1996-2005
2006 Standard 4, TR4.8: Survey of faculty on teaching of writing, first-year seminars
2006 Standard 4, TR4.9: Materials on the Writing Project and Baldwin Center
2006 Standard 5, TR5.1: Data on faculty size and growth
2006 Standard 5, TR5.2: Faculty recruitment procedures
2006 Standard 5, TR5.3: Tenured faculty option program
2006 Standard 5, TR5.4: Student course opinion form
2006 Standard 5, TR5.5: Memo - faculty compensation at Bowdoin, 1992 Oct
2006 Standard 5, TR5.6: Memo - compensation policy, 2004 Sep
2006 Standard 5, TR5.7: Institute for Coastal Studies vision statement
2006 Standard 5, TR5.8: Summary of Information Technology (IT) services for teaching and research
2006 Standard 5, TR5.9: Compensation for academic department chairs
2006 Standard 6, TR6.1: Applicants, admits and matriculants
2006 Standard 6, TR6.2: Transfer applications
2006 Standard 6, TR6.3: SAT scores
2006 Standard 6, TR6.4: Students of color enrollment
2006 Standard 6, TR6.5: Faculty scholars
2006 Standard 6, TR6.6: Merit scholars
2006 Standard 6, TR6.7: Enrollment by region
2006 Standard 6, TR6.8: International students
2006 Standard 6, TR6.9: Chart on aid
2006 Standard 6, TR6.10: Student satisfaction survey
2006 Standard 6, TR6.11: 2003 survey of students of color (CHAS)
2006 Standard 6, TR6.12: Health and wellness survey data
2006 Standard 7, TR7.1: Library staff
2006 Standard 7, TR7.2: Library organization chart
2006 Standard 7, TR7.3: Library FTE
2006 Standard 7, TR7.4: Four-stage library instruction program
2006 Standard 7, TR7.5: Self-study documents
2006 Standard 7, TR7.6: "@ the Library"
2006 Standard 7, TR7.7: Library literacy statement
2006 Standard 7, TR7.8: Information Technology (IT) organizational chart
2006 Standard 7, TR7.9: Information Technology (IT) strategic plan
2006 Standard 7, TR7.10: Draft policies for information security, data access, and other Information Technology (IT) resources
2006 Standard 8, TR8.1: Strategic plan to guide future growth
2006 Standard 8, TR8.2: Campus Planning and Design Committee
2006 Standard 8, TR8.3: Capital expenditure plan
2006 Standard 8, TR8.4: Bowdoin College Facilities Management
2006 Standard 8, TR8.5: Building design standards for renovation projects
2006 Standard 8, TR8.6: Comprehensive security policy
2006 Standard 9, TR9.1: Giving to Bowdoin
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports and budgets (list of documents follows)
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Jun 30
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports: 1999, 2000 Jun 30
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports: 2001, 2002 Jun 30
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports: 2003, 2004 Jun 30
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Financial reports: 2005 Jun 30
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budgets for 1995-1996, 1996-1997
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budget for 1997-1998
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budgets for 1998-1999, 1999-2000
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budgets for 2000-2001, 2001-2002
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budgets for 2002-2003, 2003-2004
2006 Standard 9, TR9.2: Recommended budgets for 2004-2005, 2005-2006
2006 Standard 9, TR9.3: Changes in Bowdoin comprehensive fees
2006 Standard 9, TR9.4: Exhibit A: sources and uses of funds
2006 Standard 9, TR9.5: Capital projects funding
2006 Standard 9, TR9.6: Bowdoin College operating revenue
2006 Standard 9, TR9.7: Bowdoin College staff compensation and job classification program, final report - phase I
2006 Standard 9, TR9.8: Employee benefits available to staff
2006 Standard 9, TR9.9: Medical plan review, 2002 Aug
2006 Standard 9, TR9.10: Rating update, Bowdoin College, ME
2006 Standard 9, TR9.11: Sources and uses of operating funds, ten year projection
2006 Standard 9, TR9.13: Bowdoin College financial indicators, 2005 Jun
2006 Standard 9, TR9.14: Auditors' letters
2006 Standard 9, TR9.15: Bowdoin College retirement plan financial statements
2006 Standard 9, TR9.16: Audit charter
2006 Standard 9, TR9.17: New approach to fund selection memo