Linguistics, 1974-1977

The date range of these records from the Dean of the College is July 1, 1973, when Alice Ilchman arrived, through March 30, 1978. The latter date may not be the exact date of Ilchman's departure, but it appears to be the date on which the majority of material leaving the dean's office bears Maud Chaplin signature as Acting Dean.

In general, the records are arranged alphabetically in a single subject file. Where there is more than one folder on the same subject, they are arranged chronologically. Restricted materials have been removed from the main sequence, as has one oversized binder of computer budget printouts. Notice of removal is given with an explanation of location and method of access. The Faculty Records Office files are a separate series.

These records include, in large measure, materials relating to faculty, academic departments and curriculum, as well as the Center for Research on Women, the library and the Registrar. There is correspondence and meeting material (agendas, minutes and handouts), as well as, dean’s office and academic department budget materials. The records contain proposals and discussions of courses and research projects, as well as reports and evaluations.

The dean's records cover all aspects of academic life, but there are some materials of particular interest in the Ilchman years. If the 1960s were turbulent years for colleges and universities, the 1970s were years of exploration into new ways of doing things. Wellesley, often in the forefront of women’s education, saw itself as a test site for new experiments in the education of women. The Office of Educational Research and Development was particularly active during this period. Numerous experimental and interdisciplinary courses were proposed, many of which were offered. There was an effort offer a specially designed curriculum to first year students. The researcher should note that experimental and extra-departmental course information may appear in individual folders grouped with ER&D, in Academic Department folders or within the ER&D chronological folders. The Committee on Curriculum and Instruction was also active trying to maintain a balance between innovation and a solid curriculum. There is material on the Wellesley-MIT exchange and efforts to build and strengthen it. There are also several proposals to many foundations to fund both experiments and emerging technologies.