Finding Aid for the Kent State University Office of Public Events records

Author: Kristin Silvestro, August 2024

Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Origination: Kent State University. Office of Public Events 

Inclusive Dates: 1966-1984

Bulk Dates: 1969-1974

Extent:  2 cubic feet (2 boxes= 2 Record Storage Boxes)

Physical Location: 10th floor

Language of Materials: English

Abstract: This collection includes records specifically from the Office of Public Events as well as general university records that were received by and retained by staff in the Office of Public Events.

History of KSU Office of Public Events: 

The Office of Public events was created July 6, 1966, with two staff members. The director was responsible for "coordinating and supervising plans for such functions as commencement exercises, dedications and groundbreaking ceremonies, Honors Day Convocation, special convocations honoring especially distinguished guests, etc." [1969-1970 Office of Public Events Annual Report]. The department worked closely with the Office of Special Events, but they were two distinct offices. According to a 1970s program planning document, in 1972-1973 the office operated under the Vice President for Public Affairs and Development and then more directly operated under the University Secretary and Community Relations. The Office of Public Events is no longer a unique office on campus in 2024. Most of the office's prior responsibilities fall under multiple different offices and departments.

Scope and Content: 

The records in this collection are organized as an alphabetical subject file. Most of the files appear to be from a Director of Public Events in the 1970s, George Urban, who was also the University Secretary. Original folder names for almost all of the folders were kept, with minimal reorganization or renaming being done. Users will find information specific to the Public Events office such as annual reports, event planning, and correspondence as well as general university records that were sent to or kept by the office staff. Users will also find information on some significant visitors such as Ohio Governor John Gilligan and Vice President Hubert Humphrey. The bulk of the collection is from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Statement of Arrangement: The original collection order was largely maintained with minimal changes and is organized into a single alphabetical series by folder title. 

Preferred Citation: Kent State University Office of Public Events records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information: The exact provenance and date of acquisition is not known for these records, but a note with the files explained that they should be processed together as records from the Office of Public Events. 

Controlled Access Headings:

Subjects
Kent State University -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Universities and colleges -- Ohio -- Kent -- Administration -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Special events -- Ohio -- Kent -- Management -- History -- 20th century -- Sources

Genre/Form
Business correspondence
Annual reports

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. 48 Hour Proposal, 1970
2. Accreditation, 1971
3. Bowman Lecture, 1967-1969
4. Budget Biennium, 1969-1971
5. Bureau of Criminal Investigation- Dedications, 1966
6. College of Education, 1969-1970
7. Commencement- Policy and Procedures, 1967-1975
8. Commencement- Policy Changes, 1972
9. Commencement- Speakers, 1968-1970;undated
10. Commencement- Statistics, 1974; undated
11. Community Relations- General, 1971
12. Degrees Conferred Summary, 1960s-1980s
13. Dissatisfaction - Programs for Change, 1960s-1970s
14. Dissatisfaction- Programs for Change, 1960s-1970s
15. Emergency Operations, 1970-1972
16. Emeritus Status- Faculty and Trustees, 1973-1975
17. Fee- Graduation, 1972-1975
18. Fee- Waiver, undated
19. Film- KSU, 1969
20. Founders Day, 1974
21. Geauga Campus Groundbreaking, October 1974
22. Goals and Mission- Public Affairs and Development Division, 1972-1973
23. Highway Luncheon- Kent Bridge, 1972-1973
24. Honors Day and Commencement Committee, 1975-1976
25. Honors Day and Commencement Committee, 1976-1977
26. Honors Day and Commencement Committee, 1977-1978
27. Honors Day and Commencement Committee, 1979-1980
28. Honors Day and Honors Day Convocation- Speeches, 1971-1984
29. Human Relations, 1969
30. Hyde Park Forum, 1970
31. Industrial Design- Annual Conference, 1967
32. International and World Programs Seminar, 1967-1971
33. International Studies and Programs, 1969-1970
34. Inventory- KSU Real Property, 1972-1973
35. KSU Federation of Teachers, 1971
36. KSU Seal- Evaluation, 1967-1973
37. Malabar Farm- Governor's Advisory Council, 1972
38. MEDCO, 1973
39. Memorial- Southern University, November 1973
40. Minister's Area- Record of Use for Ceremonies, 1967-1980
41. Mission and Goals, 1972-1973
     

Box 2
Folder -- Contents

1. Monthly Events Calendars, 1970s
2. National Academic Games Project, 1972-1973
3. Ohio Legislative Luncheon, 1966
4. Organizational Chart- Student Affairs Division, 1966
5. Organizational Recommendations- V.P. for Administration, 1969
6. Organizational Recommendations- V.P. for Public Affairs, 1972
7. Personal Correspondence- George Urban, 1960s-1970s
8. Policies 1969-71- Reports to R.W. Hoskins, 1969-1971
9. Position Papers, 1970-1971
10. President Glenn A. Olds, 1971-1974
11. Presidential Search Committee, 1971-1972
12. President's Club Members, 1960s-1970s
13. President's Room, 1973
14. Programs-Public Events, 1966-1971
15. Public Opinion Survey- Cleveland Profiles Public Thinking about KSU, 1969
16. Public Opinion Survey- Cleveland Profiles Public Thinking about KSU, 1971
17. Radio and Television Information, 1969
18. Reference Booklet from University News Services, 1967-1970
19. Regional American Assembly, 1966
20. Registrar, 1970
21. Report - Annual Report Public Events, 1969-1970
22. Report- Annual Report Public Events, 1971-1972
23. Reports - Weekly to Administration, 1969-1974
24. Reports - Weekly to Administration, 1972-1973
25. Reports - Weekly to Administration, 1972-1973
26. Reports - Weekly to Administration, 1973-1974
27. Reports - Weekly to Administration, 1974-1975
28. Russian Trampoline Meet, December 1974
29. Scheduling, 1969-1972
30. Speeches, 1969;1971;undated
31. Staff Meetings, 1971-1972
32. Student Affairs, 1967-1968
33. Student Body Presidents 1914-1973, undated
34. Student Dance, 1975
35. Student Membership on Commencement Committee, 1970-1971
36. Student Recruitment Research, 1969
37. Trumpet in the field- KSU night, 1972
38. Trustees- includes correspondence, 1970s
39. United Fund, 1960s-1970s
40. United Nations, 1973
41. Visit- Governor John Gilligan, 1970-1971
42. Visit- Ohio Board of Regents, 1972
43. Visit- Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, [includes correspondence, itinerary, visit details, scripts, and other material] 1968; Undated
44. V.I.P. Entertainment, 1970s
45. Volunteer Services, 1969;1970