Correspondence, 1970s-1980s

This series contains correspondence produced by the Board of Trustees and demonstrates a range of the Board’s functions, activities, and opinions. The earliest correspondence in this collection predates Barnard’s founding and pertains to securing a charter for the College. The materials from 1900 to 1937 include letters of recommendation for the position of Dean at Barnard (the chief administrator of the College was initially referred to as Dean rather than President). Later materials (1946-1952) include lists of standing committees and committee members and correspondence recruiting trustees for committees. There is also correspondence from the 1970s-1990s related to institutional finances, the College’s endowment, Barnard-Columbia relations, trustee retreats, commencement events, student housing, insurance, committees, enrollment, and the College’s relationship with the Jewish Theological Seminary. Correspondence from this period also covers academic freedom, tenure, and retirement, the College’s relationship with the Manhattan School of Music, Mellon Foundation grants, administrative salaries, trustee orientations, maternity leave policy for administrative and confidential employees, and board retreats. June Bingham Birge, Ethel LeFrak and Rawleigh Warner were frequent correspondents in the 1990s. Later correspondence includes memos and messages to the Board from Barnard College President Judith Shapiro, as well as correspondence with William Kessen, Lois M. Beekman, and Richard R. Shinn.