TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of the Collection

History

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Series V: News Releases, 1954-1989

University of Connecticut

Office of Public Information Records

History

The University Editorial Office was opened in 1922 under the direction of Walter Stemmons, College Editor. In 1954, after Mr. Stemmons retired, the office was renamed to reflect its broadened responsibilities. The Division of Communication, directed by John H. Gleason, had four subdivisions: General News (News Office), Sports Information, University Photography (Photo Lab), and Publications-Central Duplicating. In 1962, Donald Friedman became head of the office. In 1964, the name was again changed, this time to Office of Public Information and Publications. This office absorbed University News, Sports Information, Photography, Publications, and Central Duplicating. In 1967, Raymond J. Buck became Director of University Publications when the Office became the Office of Public Information (OPI). Friedman continued to work for Buck as director of OPI until 1977 when Walter S. McGowen became the director. Sports Information was transferred to the Division of Athletics in 1977/1978.

In 1986, the office was renamed the Office of University Relations and Karen Grava Williams was named Director of Institutional Relations. The following year, the office was divided into two offices: Institutional Relations and University Publications.

Although the responsibilities of the unit have remained the same, by 2005 it is known as University Communications.

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Arrangement

The records are divided into eight series:

Series I: Morgue Files (1955-1979) is a general subject file consisting of information on various University activities and functions. The series is divided into three subseries of overlapping dates: A: 1955-1958, B: 1958-1967, and C: 1960-1979; and contains news releases on subjects in completed form and/or rough draft. [Use Series V for news releases.] Subjects include University schools and divisions, branches, summer sessions, honorary degrees, and student activities and organizations. There are also newspaper clippings, photos, commencement files for 1951-1962, a file on President Babbidge (last updated 1963), speeches of President Jorgensen, ROTC files and other University topics. Within each subseries, the files are arranged hierarchically reflecting the administrative reporting lines.

Series I: Morgue Files

Series II: Office Files (undated, 1918-1980) contains correspondence and information on activities, which were probably the general office files utilized by Stemmons, Gleason, Friedman and McGowen. The series is arranged in two subseries: A: 1918-1961 [1956-1960 bulk dates] and B: 1961-1978. Within each subseries, the files are arranged alphabetically by topic, name, or office.

Series II: Office Files

Series III: Office of Sports Information (1921-1981) is divided into five subseries: A: Sports Releases (1946-1971); B: Outgoing Data (1928-1981); C: Basketball (1944-1979); D: Football (1944-1979); and E: General Sports Files (1940-1978). These files are from the offices of sports editors and sports information directors Red Parton, Frank Soltys, and Joseph J. Soltys. Sports Releases (1946-1971) consists of final releases on football, basketball, outstanding players, and includes quotes. Some releases analyze upcoming games and may include scouting information on the opponent. The raw data used to create the sports releases are found in the individual sports subseries following. Sports Releases is arranged chronologically. Outgoing Data (1928-1981) is the file copy of releases to the media and athletic governing bodies, including the NCAA, ECAC, and Yankee Conference. Statistical summaries of teams and individual player performances are noted. Filed with the consecutively numbered releases are the cover letters to media editors. Data is included on lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey. The subseries is arranged chronologically. Basketball (1944-1979) is subdivided into Statistics, Reference Files, and Opponents. Statistics covers the years 1944-1976 and includes points, rebounds, etc. Reference Files includes ticket information, sportswriters banquets, and scouting reports. Football (1944-1979) is subdivided into Statistics, Reference Files, and Opponents. The content of this subseries is very similar to Basketball. Varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams are covered in this subseries. General Sports Files (1940-1978) the “catch-all” of the Sports Information Department, contains office files on sports-related activities such as press luncheons, ticket information, and scholarships.

[Note: Beginning in 2004, the files in this series have begun to be integrated with those records transferred by the Athletic Communications Office. Please ask at the reference desk for assistance in using this portion of the collection.]

Series III: Sports Information Office

Athletic Communications Office Records

Series IV: Scrapbooks (1922-1988) consists of 21 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings. The majority of the clippings are of school sports events, although some pertain to social and other events. Pencilled on many clippings is the name and date of the paper; most are from local newspapers. The scrapbooks are in poor condition; the papers is brittle, and clippings are deteriorating and becoming unglued.

Series IV: Scrapbooks

Series V: News Releases (1954-1989) contains press, radio, and television news releases on University topics such as University offices and departments, students' achievements, faculty honors, new programs, Loeb Awards, and activities at both the Benson Museum of Art and Jorgensen Auditorium. The news releases are filed in chronological order by month. Except for boxes 36-39, the press releases are not separated from the radio and television releases. Also included in this series are news release logs, 1961-1983, which can be used as a topical index for these years. Series I, box 6 contains logs for 1957-1960. Series II, box 9 contains logs for 1973-1974.

Series V: News Releases

Series VI: Biographical Files (1957-78 [1965-71]) contains information on University faculty, staff, and administration. The files consist of press releases and drafts, publication lists, announcements of achievements, awards and activities, as well as a few photographs. The series is arranged alphabetically by name.

Series VI: biographical Files

Series VII: Morgue (1963-1984) is a general subject file consisting of information on various University activities and functions. The series is further divided into two subseries of overlapping dates: 1963-1979 [1974-1978] and 1974-1984 [1979-1983]. Within each subseries, the files are arranged hierarchically. (This series continues Series I.)

Series VII: Morgue

Series VIII: University Presidents is arranged in three subseries: Albert N. Jorgensen, Homer D. Babbidge, and Glenn W. Ferguson. Each subseries contains biographical information, commencement addresses, speeches, and news clippings.

Series VIII: University Presidents

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

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Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to the University, its history, administration, faculty, staff and students. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the reference desk.

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Organizations:

Document Types:

Occupations:

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item description, #:#], Office of Public Information Records. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries.

Acquisition Information

The records of the Office of Public Information were transferred to the University Archives in August 1979, September 1981, and January 1988. News releases are transferred to the University Archives on a regular basis. In October 1989, 23 boxes of BIOGRAPHICAL FILES and MORGUE FILES were transferred to the University Archives.

Return to University of Connecticut, Office of Public Information Records.

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Detailed Description