Finding Aid for the James Guthrie Coke papers

Author: Celia R. Halkovich, November 7, 2007

Descriptive Rules: DACS

Origination: Coke, James Guthrie

Inclusive Dates: 1963-1980
Extent: 1.33 cubic feet (one record storage box, one legal size document case)
Physical Location: 10th floor

Abstract: The James Guthrie Coke papers document Coke's activities in the 1970s as part of various Northeast Ohio regional planning committees and as Director of the Center for Urban Regionalism in the Department of Political Science at Kent State University. The papers also include reports and studies on various topics in urban planning and policymaking in Northeast Ohio.

Biographical Note: James G. Coke was born October 11, 1926 in Auburn, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor's degree in government from Harvard University in 1948. He received his Master's and Doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota in 1952 and 1956. Coke joined the faculty of Kent State University in 1965 as the first Director of the Center for Urban Regionalism. He was also a Professor in the Political Science Department until his death in 1980. Coke took a leave of absence from Kent State University from 1973-1974 in order to serve as the Director of the Academy for Contemporary Problems in Columbus, Ohio. The position was an appointment by then Governor John J. Gilligan. The Academy was a 50 member task force charged with a complete re-examination of service delivery systems at the local level. Coke also served on various regional planning committees involved in urban growth policy.

Scope and Content: The materials in this collection span from 1963-1980. Much of the material is in the form of formal reports and correspondence with some clippings and handwritten notes. Political Science Department materials include reports and policies created by the department as well as student papers, and two Masters theses for which Coke was a faculty advisor. Center for Urban Regionalism material includes a publication created by the Center. Other series document Coke's participation in urban planning studies and groups such as Delphi exercises, Academy for Contemporary Problems, and the Ohio Commission on Local Government Services. City Planning Publications include reference materials useful for the study of Northeast Ohio urban growth policies. Personal material includes a notebook which containing comments regarding participation in groups and meetings.

Statement of Arrangement: The collection has been organized into seven series listed below. Items within each series are arranged chronologically.

Series 1: Kent State University, Political Science Department
Series 2: Kent State University, Center for Urban Regionalism
Series 3: Delphi Exercises
Series 4: Academy for Contemporary Problems
Series 5: Ohio Commission on Local Government Services, Regional Governance Committee
Series 6: City Planning Publications
Series 7: Personal

Preferred Citation: James Guthrie Coke papers. Department of Special Collections and Archives. Kent State University Libraries and Media Services.

Acquisition Information: Materials were transferred to Special Collections and Archives from Kent State University, Center for Urban Regionalism through the Library Acquisitions Department in 1982.

Box 1

Folder -- Contents

Series 1: Kent State University, Political Science Department

1. Michael S. Kneale. The Role of Akron, Canton, and Youngstown Community Action Councils in the Local Political System. August, 1966
2. Course materials, Political Science 620 (Intergovernmental Relations), 1967-1968
3. Gerald Anthony Figurski. The Evolution of Regional Institutions: A Case Study of the Northeastern Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. August, 1969
4. Urban Studies Workshop. An Analysis and Policies Plan for the Kent-Ravenna Corridor Area. James G. Coke, instructor. July 20, 1972

Box 2

Folder -- Contents

Series 1: Kent State University, Political Science Department (continued)

1. Political Science Policy Book, 1975
2. A Statewide Citizen Information Center for Ohio: Report and Recommendations. Volume 1. 1980
3. A Statewide Citizen Information Center for Ohio: Report and Recommendations. Volume 2. 1980
4. Peggy Chih Liang. The Job Market Analysis for City of Kent, Ohio (1972-1977). December, 1978

Series 2: Kent State University, Center for Urban Regionalism

5. A Comparison of Regional Airport Sites in Northeast Ohio, April 1970. 1970
6. A Comparison of Regional Airport Sites in Northeast Ohio, April 1970. Summary. 1970

Series 3: Delphi Exercises

7. Various incomplete Delphi studies, 1976-1977 (Subjects include the Village of Windham, Ohio; legal communication problems; Ph.D. candidacy exams; and public services in Stow, Ohio)
8. Kent Community Problem Survey Project Report. 1978
9. Kent Community Problem Survey Project Report. 1978 (continued)

Series 4: Academy for Contemporary Problems

10. Speeches given by James G. Coke as a Fellow of the Academy for Contemporary Problems, 1974
11. Public Opinion on Land Use Regulation. January, 1977 [2 copies]

Series 5: Ohio Commission on Local Government Services

12. Clippings, correspondence, memos and reports regarding service districts in Ohio. 1972-1973
13. Clippings, correspondence, memos and reports regarding service districts in Ohio. 1972-1973 (continued)
14. Clippings, correspondence, memos and reports regarding service districts in Ohio. 1972-1973 (continued)
15. Office of Policy Research Activities, 1973

Series 6: City Planning Publications

16. Charter of the City of Kent, Ohio: To be Submitted to the Electors at Election to be Held on May 7, 1963.
17. This is Portage County. 1967
18. Subdivision Regulations: City of Kent, Ohio. 1971
19. Zoning Ordinance:City of Kent, Ohio. September 22, 1971
20. Institute of Urban Studies. The Cleveland State University. A Report on the Location of Ethnic Groups in Greater Cleveland. October, 1972
21. Population Forecast 1970-2020. October, 1972
22. Environmental Master Plan: City of Canton, 1970-1995. [1972?]
23. Report of the Northeast Ohio-1990 Committee. 1974
24. Cleveland Ohio. City Planning Commission. Cleveland Planning Commission. Volume 1. 1975
25. Streetsboro Central Business Area. August, 1976
26. Streetsboro Development Policy. August, 1976

Series 7: Personal

27. Notebook containing personal notes on meetings of various groups. 1970-1973