Student Organizations Records
The processed records in this collection contain 14 boxes relating to the various student organizations at the University of Houston. A significant portion of this material was given to the archives from the university Print Plant. Materials include correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, club rosters, publications, event programs, and club policies. The bulk of the material consists of records relating to fraternities and sororities on campus; this includes photographs, slides, negatives, and scrapbooks. This collection is arranged alphabetically by organization name, with the fraternity/ sorority records located largely in a separate series. Tau Beta Sigma materials make up a large portion of the collection, and are arranged in their own series. Processed materials range in date from the 1947 to 1990s.
Additional materials from the Council of Ethnic Organizations, the Center for Student Involvement, and the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life were received in 2011 and 2014, and are not yet fully processed. Represented in three "unprocessed" series, these materials date from 1951 to 2014 and consitute an additional 40 linear feet of material. Unprocessed materials in Series 4-6 may be restricted and not available for access. For questions about materials in this collection or to request access, contact the curator.
Dates
- 1940-1990
Conditions Governing Access
Series 1-3 are open for research.
Series 4-6 are not yet fully processed. Some materials may be restricted and not available for access. For questions about materials in this collection or to request access, contact curator Mary Manning (mmmanning@uh.edu).
Conditions Governing Use
Special Collections owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form. For more information, consult the appropriate librarian. Reproduction decisions will be made by Special Collections staff on a case-by-case basis.
Extent
53 linear feet
Historical Information
Student organizations have been an important part of the University of Houston since before it was a four-year institution. Student organizations played a considerable role in the overall educational process at what was then called the Houston Junior College (established in 1927), in spite of difficulties of finding time for meetings and activities, of having facilities available, and of stretching already-taut student budgets for even the most modest dues and fees. [1]
The Cougar was actually the first extracurricular activity at HJC, pre-dating the original classes in journalism (which began in 1928-1929 under Fred R. Birney) by a full year. It was both a laboratory for journalism students and a student actiivty. [2]
Other “original” student organizations include a girl’s basketball team, an ice hockey team, the Student Council, The John R. Bender Dramatic Club, the HJC Oratorical Association, the Cougar Collegians, the Girl’s Outdoor Club, the Guild Savant, the Student Association, the Speakers’ Club, the Cougar, and the Houstonian. [3]
Today, the University of Houston is the second most ethnically diverse major research university in the United States. Students come to UH from more than 137 nations and from across the U.S. The student body comprises more than 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The diversity of the campus can be seen by the broad range of student organizations that exist. There are approximately 500 student organizations and 16 intercollegiate sports teams. These organizations vary in focus, from political or social, to religious. [4]
The Council of Ethnic Organizations (CEO) is a student-fee funded organization founded in 1972. It works with member organizations to promote cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion. [6]
The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) helps students develop student organizations, coordinate events, and gain valuable skills in the process. [5]
References:
[1] Patrick J. Nicholson, In Time: An Anecdotal History of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston (Houston, TX: Pacesetter Press, 1977), 56.
[2] Patrick J. Nicholson, In Time: An Anecdotal History of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston (Houston, TX: Pacesetter Press, 1977), 59.
[3] Patrick J. Nicholson, In Time: An Anecdotal History of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston (Houston, TX: Pacesetter Press, 1977), 56.
[4] UH at a Glance, available from http://www.uh.edu/about/uh-glance/, accessed January 6, 2017
[5] Center for Student Involvement http://www.uh.edu/csi/, accessed January 6, 2017
[6] Council of Ethnic Organizations http://www.uh.edu/csiceo/, accessed January 6, 2017
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Most materials in Series 1 and 2 were transferred from the University Print Plant in 2009.
Additional accruals have been transferred to the University Archives by the Council of Ethnic Organizations (July 2011), the Center for Student Involvement (May 2014), and the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life (May 2014).
Separated Materials
- Title
- Guide to the Student Organizations Records
- Author
- Stephanie Malone, Karen Jordan, Toshia Miracle, Mikaela Selley, and Bobby Marlin
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections Repository
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
MD Anderson Library
4333 University Drive
Houston TX 77204-2000 USA
713-743-9750