Whitman College Dean of Students records

Collection

Identifier: WCA-048

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection spans the years 1946 to 2015 and includes the records of deans Robert Whitner, Gordon Scribner, Russell DeRemer, Rob Gardner, and Chuck Cleveland. The collection also contains the records of Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students, and limited records from the Dean of Men and the Dean of Women. The collection is divided into five series: 1. Committees, 2. Dean of Students, 3. Fraternities and Sororities, 4. Housing and Residence Life, and 5. Office of Student Affairs.

The Committees series dates from 1975 to 2007, and contains meeting minutes and memoranda of the various groups which guide and govern student life, such as the College Council on Interpersonal Relations. The Dean of Students series dates from 1946 to 2015, and contains memoranda and correspondence, policy statements, annual reports and budgets, and other planning documents. The Fraternities and Sororities series dates from 1963-2005, and contains memoranda, correspondence, rush statistics, and policy documents relating to Greek Life at Whitman. The Housing and Residence Life series dates from 1950 to 2009, and contains policy documents, occupancy reports, and memoranda and correspondence relating to the staffing and maintenance of dorms, interest houses, and Greek houses. The Office of Student Affairs series dates from 1948 to 2009, and contains advising manuals, annual reports, and student services records. The series also includes meeting minutes, correspondence, and policy documents of the Associated Students of Whitman College and the Council on Student Affairs.

Dates

1946-2015

Creator

Whitman College (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Materials in this collection are closed for 20 years from the date of creation. Student educational records such as credentials, grade sheets, correspondence, reports, notes, applications, and all other records pertaining to past and present students are governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and are restricted for 75 years from the date of creation. Personnel related files of the college's faculty and staff, including search, review, promotion, reappointment, tenure, and disciplinary/grievance records, are restricted for 75 years from the date of creation. Additional restrictions may apply to other materials in this collection.

Biographical / Historical

The Dean of Students is responsible for guiding student life, and serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs. They mentor, advocate, and advise individual students, as well as student groups. The Dean of Students reports to the President of the college.

The Dean of Students was established around 1965. The role of the new dean was to more efficiently and effectively guide and govern student affairs and student services, duties which had previously been shared by a board of deans. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, after years of student advocacy, Dean of Students Gordon Scribner coordinated the liberalization of many rules and social regulations governing student life. When Scribner transitioned to Director of Alumni Affairs in 1978, the Office of Student Affairs went through a massive restructuring, incorporating into the office of the Dean of Students. At this time, the Dean of Students’ duties included “the supervision, direction, and coordination of student services, including the food service, the Student Center, financial advising, career planning and placement, residential life, student activities, personal counseling, and health services.” The Dean of Students would also serve as chair of the Council on Student Affairs.

Chronology of the position:

Robert Whitner (circa 1965-1967) Gordon Scriber (1967-1978) Russell DeRemer (1978-1994) Chuck Cleveland (1994-2017) Kazi Joshua (2017-)

Extent

17.5 Linear Feet (16 record cartons, 4 document boxes, 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Dean of Students records contains materials related to student affairs, student services, and the governance and guidance of student life at Whitman.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into five series: 1. Committees, 2. Dean of Students, 3. Fraternities and Sororities, 4. Housing and Residence Life, and 5. Office of Student Affairs. Materials within each series are arranged alphabetically.

Processing Information

The collection was processed to the folder-level in 2022. Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders, and restricted materials were identified. Original folder titles received added description.