Student Government Association records.
Collection
Identifier: A114
Overview
The Student Council was created in 1921 as a vehicle for student participation in University affairs. It originally comprised the officers of the senior and junior classes, and the members of the Student Activities Committee which was also created in 1921. In the 1960s, the Council became more active as a mediating body between students and University administration, and it was involved in student implementation of draft resistance counseling, dissemination of abortion and birth control information, and establishment of gay liberation programs on campus. The Council also mediated between students and administrators during on-campus student protests of the Vietnam Conflict, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and controversial speakers. In 1973, with the support of the Northeastern University administration, the Council dissolved and recreated itself under a new constitution as the Student Federation. The Federation continued the Council's work to bring the concerns of the student body to the attention of the administration and to improve the student experience at Northeastern. The Federation existed until 1981 when, after a prolonged period of discussion within the Federation and with Northeastern administrators, it became the Student Government Association. Between 1981 and 2009, the Association was involved with a variety of campus issues including hiring at the Lane Health Center, providing services for deaf students, and the ongoing issues of financial aid, class availability, and student housing.
Dates
- 1940-2008 (bulk 1980s-2000s)
Creator
Language of Materials
The collection is entirely in English.
Conditions Governing Access:
The records are restricted for 25 years from their date of creation. Records containing student information are restricted for 75 years. For more information, consult the University Archivist.
Historical Note
The Student Council was created in 1921 as a vehicle for student participation in University affairs. It originally comprised the officers of the senior and junior classes and the members of the Student Activities Committee, also created in 1921. According to the 1921-1922 Catalog of the School of Engineering, the Council has jurisdiction over all student matters, as customs, privileges, or such other matters which can be appropriately decided on by such a body.
Responding to the demands of the student body in the 1960s, the Council became more active as a mediating body in relations between the students and the University administration. The Council was involved in student movements to implement draft resistance counseling, disseminate abortion and birth control information, and establish gay and women's liberation programs on campus. In the late 1960s, the Council was involved in planning and executing experimental college programs held across campus. These were day-long seminars run by faculty, staff, and students on topics of general interest, including Marxist philosophy, civil rights, and the conflict in Southeast Asia. The Council also acted as a mediator between students and administrators during student protests over recruiting by the General Electric Corporation; controversial speakers, such as Samuel Ichnite (S. I.) Hayakawa and United States Attorney General John Mitchell; the Vietnam Conflict; and ROTC.
In 1973, the Council felt it had become mired in internal debate and was no longer functional. With the support of the Northeastern University administration, it dissolved and recreated itself as the Student Federation under a new constitution. The Federation continued the Council's work to bring the concerns of the student body to the attention of the administration and to improve the student experience at Northeastern. The Federation existed until 1981 when, after a prolonged period of discussion within the Federation and with Northeastern administrators, it became the Student Government Association.
During the 1980s, the Association continued the work of the Student Federation to create a campus-wide student evaluation process for teachers and classes. The evaluation process was initially called SCATE (Student Course and Teacher Evaluations), but after 1972 the name was changed to Teacher / Course Evaluations, and it is currently known as TRACE (Teacher Rating and Course Evaluation). In the late 1980s, the Association participated in an asbestos survey of University buildings. Through the 1990s, the Association carried on its asbestos investigation; supported the renovation and renaming of the Ell Student Center to the Curry Student Center; and helped guide the renovation of Matthews Arena. During the 2000s, the Association worked with students and administrators to bring new vendors to the Curry Student Center food court and to the International Village; to extend library, athletic facility, and dining commons hours; and to develop its website to be more responsive to student needs. The Association also supported the development of Gallery 360, an exhibit space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, special guests, and local emerging artists and worked to increase recycling facilities on campus.
The Association is comprised of five divisions: President, Executive, Senate, Committees, and Judiciary. In the spring of 2010, the Association restructured itself, creating an Executive Council with vice presidents for Student Affairs, Student Services, Student Involvement, and Academic Affairs and positions for a Comptroller, Chief of Staff, Executive Director of Communications, and Executive Vice President. As of 2010, there are 11 standing committees overseen by the executives of the Association and the Student Senate: Academic Affairs, Administration and Public Relations, Budget Review, Financial Affairs, Renewable Energy Initiatives, Nominations and Elections, Student Affairs, Student Affairs Board, Student Center, Student Services, and the University Health and Counseling Services Advisory Board.
Responding to the demands of the student body in the 1960s, the Council became more active as a mediating body in relations between the students and the University administration. The Council was involved in student movements to implement draft resistance counseling, disseminate abortion and birth control information, and establish gay and women's liberation programs on campus. In the late 1960s, the Council was involved in planning and executing experimental college programs held across campus. These were day-long seminars run by faculty, staff, and students on topics of general interest, including Marxist philosophy, civil rights, and the conflict in Southeast Asia. The Council also acted as a mediator between students and administrators during student protests over recruiting by the General Electric Corporation; controversial speakers, such as Samuel Ichnite (S. I.) Hayakawa and United States Attorney General John Mitchell; the Vietnam Conflict; and ROTC.
In 1973, the Council felt it had become mired in internal debate and was no longer functional. With the support of the Northeastern University administration, it dissolved and recreated itself as the Student Federation under a new constitution. The Federation continued the Council's work to bring the concerns of the student body to the attention of the administration and to improve the student experience at Northeastern. The Federation existed until 1981 when, after a prolonged period of discussion within the Federation and with Northeastern administrators, it became the Student Government Association.
During the 1980s, the Association continued the work of the Student Federation to create a campus-wide student evaluation process for teachers and classes. The evaluation process was initially called SCATE (Student Course and Teacher Evaluations), but after 1972 the name was changed to Teacher / Course Evaluations, and it is currently known as TRACE (Teacher Rating and Course Evaluation). In the late 1980s, the Association participated in an asbestos survey of University buildings. Through the 1990s, the Association carried on its asbestos investigation; supported the renovation and renaming of the Ell Student Center to the Curry Student Center; and helped guide the renovation of Matthews Arena. During the 2000s, the Association worked with students and administrators to bring new vendors to the Curry Student Center food court and to the International Village; to extend library, athletic facility, and dining commons hours; and to develop its website to be more responsive to student needs. The Association also supported the development of Gallery 360, an exhibit space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, special guests, and local emerging artists and worked to increase recycling facilities on campus.
The Association is comprised of five divisions: President, Executive, Senate, Committees, and Judiciary. In the spring of 2010, the Association restructured itself, creating an Executive Council with vice presidents for Student Affairs, Student Services, Student Involvement, and Academic Affairs and positions for a Comptroller, Chief of Staff, Executive Director of Communications, and Executive Vice President. As of 2010, there are 11 standing committees overseen by the executives of the Association and the Student Senate: Academic Affairs, Administration and Public Relations, Budget Review, Financial Affairs, Renewable Energy Initiatives, Nominations and Elections, Student Affairs, Student Affairs Board, Student Center, Student Services, and the University Health and Counseling Services Advisory Board.
Chronology
- 1921 Student Council forms.
- 1960s Student Council begins work on planned student evaluations of teachers and courses at Northeastern.
- 1967 Student Council, with co-operation from other student groups, plans and executes experimental college day programs.
- 1970 Students protest the planned appearance of S.I. (Samuel Ichiye) Hayakawa lead to cancellation of event.
- 1972 Name of faculty and course evaluation program changes to Teacher / Course Evaluations.
- 1971 Students protest the planned appearance on campus of United States Attorney General John Mitchell lead to cancellation of event.
- 1973 Name changes to Student Federation; takes more active role on campus with regard to issues including the ROTC presence at Northeastern, corporate recruiting, and the Vietnam Conflict.
- 1981 Name changes to Student Government Association.
- 1986 Begins investigation into possible presence of asbestos in University buildings.
- 1991 Assists with planned renovations to Matthews Arena.
- 1996 Supports move to rename student center after President John A. Curry.
- 2005 Rewrites election procedures to provide for direct election of the Association president by the student body.
- 2008 Supports creation of Gallery 360 as an exhibit space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, special guests, and local emerging artists.
- 2010 Works for new recycling initiatives on campus.
- 1921
- Student Council forms.
- 1960s
- Student Council begins work on planned student evaluations of teachers and courses at Northeastern.
- 1967
- Student Council, with co-operation from other student groups, plans and executes experimental college day programs.
- 1970
- Students protest the planned appearance of S.I. (Samuel Ichiye) Hayakawa lead to cancellation of event.
- 1972
- Name of faculty and course evaluation program changes to Teacher / Course Evaluations.
- 1971
- Students protest the planned appearance on campus of United States Attorney General John Mitchell lead to cancellation of event.
- 1973
- Name changes to Student Federation; takes more active role on campus with regard to issues including the ROTC presence at Northeastern, corporate recruiting, and the Vietnam Conflict.
- 1981
- Name changes to Student Government Association.
- 1986
- Begins investigation into possible presence of asbestos in University buildings.
- 1991
- Assists with planned renovations to Matthews Arena.
- 1996
- Supports move to rename student center after President John A. Curry.
- 2005
- Rewrites election procedures to provide for direct election of the Association president by the student body.
- 2008
- Supports creation of Gallery 360 as an exhibit space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, special guests, and local emerging artists.
- 2010
- Works for new recycling initiatives on campus.
Leaders of the Student Council and Student Government Association
- 1960 Division A President: John Quinn; Vice-President: James Love Division B President: William Ryan; Vice-President: Donald Rubin
- 1961 Division A President: Wilfred Paul; Vice-President: James PaisleyDivision B: President: Thomas St. Germain; Vice-President: Bert Pedersen
- 1962 Division A President: Albert Krueger; Vice-President: Eugene Crepeau Division B President: Frank Trainer; Vice-President: Gary Orloff
- 1963 Division A President: Preston Bemis; Vice-President: Vincent Cortina Division B President: Robert L. Washburn; Vice-President: George DeVaux
- 1964 Division A President: Alan Caplan; Vice-President: William LaPointe Division B President: Carlton Stone; Vice-President: William D. Herrick
- 1965 Division A President: Paul F. Cowan; Vice-President: Frank Toffoloni Division B President: Barry D. Carver; Vice-President: Robert C. Baskin
- 1966 Division A President: Frank Toffoloni; Vice-President: Peter A. Previte Division B President: Robert C. Baskin; Vice-President: Stephen L. Brannan
- 1967 Division A President: Ann S. MacIntyre; Vice-President: Robert M. Bloom Division B President: Dexter J. Kamilewicz; Vice-President: LeRoy C. Wheelock
- 1968 Division A President: Vincent B. McLellan; Vice-President: Unknown Division B President: LeRoy C. Wheelock; Vice-President: Laurence Stanford
- 1969 Division A President: William A. Hunt; Vice-President: Judith Gillette Division B President: Laurence Stanford; Vice-President: Robert L. Weisman
- 1970 Division A President: Jeffrey Gren; Vice-President: John Hanson Division B President: Robert Weisman; Vice-President: Frank Gerry
- 1971 Division A President: John Hanson; Vice-President: George Smith Division B President: Frank Gerry; Vice-President: Michael Putnam
- 1972 Division A President: Christine Nielsen; Vice-President: Anne Sullivan Division B President: Michael Putnam; Vice-President: Vincent Lembo
- 1973 Division A President: Skip Hartwell; Vice-President: Olin Robie Division B President: Vincent Lembo; Vice-President: Donald Engelman
- 1974 Division B: President: Max Shulman
- 1975 Division A: President: Glenn D. Trinidade; Vice-President: Larry Babick
- 1976 Division A: President: Stephen M. Cidlevich; Vice-President: Odilin AmaralDivision B: President: Robert J. Cox / Val Elmore; Vice-President: Donna Holmes / Lisa Grallanardo
- 1977 Division A: President: Glenn Trinidade / Louis Rogers Vice-President: Louis Rogers / Martha Fox
- 1978 Division A: Executive Chair: Peter Stevens; Speaker: Robert Greenberg Division B: Executive Chair: Gregory M. Smith / JoAnne Varnadoe; Speaker: Blaise Stephanus / Gregory M. Smith
- 1979 President: Robert Greenberg
- 1980 President: Unknown
- 1981 Executive Chair: S. Ross Forster / Michael Shea; Speaker: Mark Ashley / Paul Caruso
- 1982 President: Paul Caruso
- 1983 President: Paul Caruso / Helen Fuchs?
- 1983-1984 President: Harriet Wall
- 1984-1985 President: Harriet Wall? / Brian Coventry / Matt Blodgett
- 1985-1986 President: Matt Blodgett; Vice-President: Ken Galer
- 1986 President: Anna Magliocco / Bradley Bertrand; Vice-President: Kym Richard
- 1986-1987 President: Darren Jones; Vice-President: Calvin Jones
- 1987-1988 President: Calvin Jones / Michael Shea
- 1988-1989 President: Peter Krause / Calvin Jones; Vice-President: Velia Carboni
- 1989-1990 President: Deborah Edwards / Sandra Major
- 1990-1991 President: Sandra L. Major
- 1991-1992 President: Jim Patterson; Vice-President: Mayur Gandhi
- 1992-1993 President: Joseph Dias
- 1993-1994 President: Katy Zeidler
- 1994-1995 President: Dan Bernal
- 1995-1996 President: Chris Schoeneberger
- 1996-1997 President: Laura Waters / Stacy Archfield
- 1997-1998 President: Stacy Archfield / Scott Simon
- 1998-1999 President: Scott Simon / Beth-Anne Dancause
- 2000 President: Kerryann Driscoll
- 2001-2002 President: Erin Dayharsh / Kerryann Driscoll
- 2002-2003 President: Richard Schwabacher
- 2003-2004 President: Michael Romano / Andres Vargas / Erin McFadzen / William Durkin
- 2004-2005 President: William Durkin / Ashley Adams / Michael Benson
- 2005-2006 President: William Durkin? / Michael Benson
- 2006-2007 President: Rogan O'Handley
- 2007-2008 President: Joseph Fiore
- 2008-2009 President: Robert Ranley
- 2009-2010 President: Ryan Fox
- 1960
- Division A President: John Quinn; Vice-President: James Love Division B President: William Ryan; Vice-President: Donald Rubin
- 1961
- Division A President: Wilfred Paul; Vice-President: James PaisleyDivision B: President: Thomas St. Germain; Vice-President: Bert Pedersen
- 1962
- Division A President: Albert Krueger; Vice-President: Eugene Crepeau Division B President: Frank Trainer; Vice-President: Gary Orloff
- 1963
- Division A President: Preston Bemis; Vice-President: Vincent Cortina Division B President: Robert L. Washburn; Vice-President: George DeVaux
- 1964
- Division A President: Alan Caplan; Vice-President: William LaPointe Division B President: Carlton Stone; Vice-President: William D. Herrick
- 1965
- Division A President: Paul F. Cowan; Vice-President: Frank Toffoloni Division B President: Barry D. Carver; Vice-President: Robert C. Baskin
- 1966
- Division A President: Frank Toffoloni; Vice-President: Peter A. Previte Division B President: Robert C. Baskin; Vice-President: Stephen L. Brannan
- 1967
- Division A President: Ann S. MacIntyre; Vice-President: Robert M. Bloom Division B President: Dexter J. Kamilewicz; Vice-President: LeRoy C. Wheelock
- 1968
- Division A President: Vincent B. McLellan; Vice-President: Unknown Division B President: LeRoy C. Wheelock; Vice-President: Laurence Stanford
- 1969
- Division A President: William A. Hunt; Vice-President: Judith Gillette Division B President: Laurence Stanford; Vice-President: Robert L. Weisman
- 1970
- Division A President: Jeffrey Gren; Vice-President: John Hanson Division B President: Robert Weisman; Vice-President: Frank Gerry
- 1971
- Division A President: John Hanson; Vice-President: George Smith Division B President: Frank Gerry; Vice-President: Michael Putnam
- 1972
- Division A President: Christine Nielsen; Vice-President: Anne Sullivan Division B President: Michael Putnam; Vice-President: Vincent Lembo
- 1973
- Division A President: Skip Hartwell; Vice-President: Olin Robie Division B President: Vincent Lembo; Vice-President: Donald Engelman
- 1974
- Division B: President: Max Shulman
- 1975
- Division A: President: Glenn D. Trinidade; Vice-President: Larry Babick
- 1976
- Division A: President: Stephen M. Cidlevich; Vice-President: Odilin AmaralDivision B: President: Robert J. Cox / Val Elmore; Vice-President: Donna Holmes / Lisa Grallanardo
- 1977
- Division A: President: Glenn Trinidade / Louis Rogers Vice-President: Louis Rogers / Martha Fox
- 1978
- Division A: Executive Chair: Peter Stevens; Speaker: Robert Greenberg Division B: Executive Chair: Gregory M. Smith / JoAnne Varnadoe; Speaker: Blaise Stephanus / Gregory M. Smith
- 1979
- President: Robert Greenberg
- 1980
- President: Unknown
- 1981
- Executive Chair: S. Ross Forster / Michael Shea; Speaker: Mark Ashley / Paul Caruso
- 1982
- President: Paul Caruso
- 1983
- President: Paul Caruso / Helen Fuchs?
- 1983-1984
- President: Harriet Wall
- 1984-1985
- President: Harriet Wall? / Brian Coventry / Matt Blodgett
- 1985-1986
- President: Matt Blodgett; Vice-President: Ken Galer
- 1986
- President: Anna Magliocco / Bradley Bertrand; Vice-President: Kym Richard
- 1986-1987
- President: Darren Jones; Vice-President: Calvin Jones
- 1987-1988
- President: Calvin Jones / Michael Shea
- 1988-1989
- President: Peter Krause / Calvin Jones; Vice-President: Velia Carboni
- 1989-1990
- President: Deborah Edwards / Sandra Major
- 1990-1991
- President: Sandra L. Major
- 1991-1992
- President: Jim Patterson; Vice-President: Mayur Gandhi
- 1992-1993
- President: Joseph Dias
- 1993-1994
- President: Katy Zeidler
- 1994-1995
- President: Dan Bernal
- 1995-1996
- President: Chris Schoeneberger
- 1996-1997
- President: Laura Waters / Stacy Archfield
- 1997-1998
- President: Stacy Archfield / Scott Simon
- 1998-1999
- President: Scott Simon / Beth-Anne Dancause
- 2000
- President: Kerryann Driscoll
- 2001-2002
- President: Erin Dayharsh / Kerryann Driscoll
- 2002-2003
- President: Richard Schwabacher
- 2003-2004
- President: Michael Romano / Andres Vargas / Erin McFadzen / William Durkin
- 2004-2005
- President: William Durkin / Ashley Adams / Michael Benson
- 2005-2006
- President: William Durkin? / Michael Benson
- 2006-2007
- President: Rogan O'Handley
- 2007-2008
- President: Joseph Fiore
- 2008-2009
- President: Robert Ranley
- 2009-2010
- President: Ryan Fox
Extent
18 cubic feet (19 containers)
System of Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in 4 series: 1. Administration; 2. Boards and Committees; 3. Issues and Events; and 4. Student Senate.
Technical Access:
Four 3 ½ inch floppy disks in Box 1 could not be opened by Archives staff.
Physical Location
33/4 - 34/1, 35/1
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
The collection was donated by the Northeastern University Student Government Association.
Accruals:
Further accruals are expected.
Bibliography
- A45, Box 3, Folders 15-17 (Student Council) and 24-34 (Student Government Association).
- Michelle Sanders, Five universities to form intercollegiate government, The Heights, April 7, 2003, http://www.bcheights.com/2.6176/five-universities-form-intercollegiate-government-1.923385 (accessed March 2010).
- Brandeis University Undergraduate Student Union, Senate Resolution Petitioning for Entrance into the Boston Intercollegiate Government, http://union.brandeis.edu/senate/agendas/attachments/Big.htm (accessed March 2010).
- Student Government Association Website, (accessed March 2010).
- College student government -- Massachusetts
- Committees
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.)
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Student Government Association
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Student Government Association
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Student Senate
- Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Student Senate
- Student activities -- Massachusetts -- Boston
- Student government -- United States
- Student participation in administration -- United States
- Student participation in policy making
Creator
- Title
- Finding aid for the Student Government Association Records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Hanna Clutterbuck; updated by Dominique Medal
- Date
- August 2011
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository