Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections

Archival Inventory

32 boxes (41.75 linear feet)

Historical Sketch:
The Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Provost originated in 1907, with the appointment of a Dean to oversee academic, social, vocational, and scholarship affairs on campus. In 1928, these responsibilities were divided among three deans, one of whom was the Academic Dean. The Office of the Academic Dean incorporated several positions, among them the Registrar and the Director of Admissions. In 1970, the Office was re-titled Office of the Dean of the Faculty. The Dean was both leader of the faculty and the second administrative officer, after the President, of the College. He/she was primarily responsible for the educational program of the College and the formulation and administration of the academic budget. In 1992, the position of Provost was instituted, to be held by the Dean of the Faculty. The responsibilities of this dual position involve overseeing all academic, co-curricular and residential programs, including faculty appointments, curriculum, the Library, Admissions and student advising.

Description of Records:
The records of the Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Provost consist of announcements; memos; and reports (1928-1981). They provide information on a variety of matters, including academic advising; course enrollment statistics; examination regulations; tuition increases; scholarships; graduate students; Five College Information; Search Committee results; information about the responsibilities of the Academic Dean, the Dean of the Faculty and the amalgamation of the latter with the Provost. There are also annual reports from this office, covering the years 1927 to 1941, 1952 to 1973 and 1980-81. These primarily discuss academic changes and developments for the year of the report. Included are faculty evaluations and the records of departed faculty.

Cite as: Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Provost Records, Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA.

Access Restrictions: Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.