The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center
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University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students

(Not fully processed)

University of Massachusetts Amherst. Student Organizations Records

1867-2007
155 linear feet
Call no.: RG 045

Since the arrival of the first class of students at Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1867, the student body at UMass has grown to over 20,500 undergraduates and nearly 6,000 graduate students.

Record Group 45 includes the collected records of student activities at UMass Amherst, from student publications and organizations (fraternities and sororities, unions, and honorary societies) to records of student government, student protests, and religious and social groups. Also included are class notes and correspondence of some individual students while enrolled in the University.

Historical Note

Since the arrival of the first class of students at Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1867, the student body at UMass has grown to over 20,500 undergraduates and nearly 6,000 graduate students.

Scope and Content

Record Group 45 includes the collected records of student activities at UMass Amherst from the arrival of the first class of Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1867 to the present. These include an extensive run of reports, meeting minutes, correspondence, brochures and programs, newsclippings and student-sponsored publications, documents activities, issues, programs and growth of the student body through student government units and committees; ethnic, cultural and special interest groups; unions and associations; fine arts groups; honorary societies; religious groups; social action groups; fraternities and sororities; and student protests and demonstrations.

Professional student groups materials are housed separately under the name of the department, school, or discipline with which they are affiliated.

00. Student publications 1869-2007 53 lin. feet
This series consists of the collected student publications from Massachusetts Agricultural College (1867-1931), Massachusetts State College (1931-1947), and the University of Massachusetts (1947-2007) and includes student newspapers, magazines, newsletters, inserts, yearbooks, and songbooks, which are not necessarily affiliated with a special student interest group or academic department on campus. Limited amounts of administrative materials are available and filed separately for some of the publications.
A1. The New Senate AGENDA 1993
A2. Aggie Banqueteer 1917
A3. Aggie Life 1890-1901 2.5 lin. feet
First published in 1890 as a semi-monthly student newspaper of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Aggie Life‘s mission was to record all matters of general interest concerning the College, students and alumni, and to provide a forum for student writing. Prior to 1890, weekly college news appeared in a column of the local town newspaper, The Amherst Record. In 1901, after the students voted to discontinue using the term Aggie to identify student publications, Aggie Life was renamed the College Signal.

Newspaper contains campus and alumni news, feature stories, student editorials and literary works, photographs, advertisements and sports information. Also included in this collection are Aggie Life and College Signal secretary’s book (1893-1905), Aggie Life Banquet materials (1891), and unbound issues of Aggie Life (1900-1901).

A4. Aggie News Letter 1917
A8. Au Present 1966
B2. Bay State Ruralist 1912-1917
B4. Biblio file 1987, 1994
B6. Book for Little Loving Children Needing Guidance, 1 + 1 is not equal to 3 1973
B8. Butter Meter News 1985
C3. Caesura 1962-1967
Issues contain a blend of original student (and some faculty) prose, poetry, short stories and artwork. Notable contributors included Robert L. Levey (class of 1960), Beverly (Buffy) Sainte-Marie (class of 1962), Paul E. Theroux (class of 1963) and faculty member, Jules Chametzky (see FS 1). Included in the collection are some clippings pertaining to the history of Caesura. Caesura was also published under previous titles:

  • The Literary Magazine (1958-1962)
  • The Quarterly (1946-1958)
  • The Collegian Quarterly (1937-1946)
C4. Carbunkle Review 1970
C4.5. Circuit 1884-1885
C4.7. Claridad 1972
C5. College Monthly 1887-1888
C6. The Massachusetts Daily Collegian 1914-2007 38 lin. feet
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, successor to the College Signal, began as a weekly student newspaper in 1914. In 1951 it moved to semi-weekly publication and then to three-times-weekly in 1957. In 1967 it became a daily newspaper, changing its title to The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. From the early 1930s to the late 1940s, Professor Maxwell Goldberg guided the Collegian staff as a faculty advisor. Today, the Collegian operates without a faculty advisor as a financially independent agency funded by advertisement monies. The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is part of the Division of Campus Activities under the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

The nature of the content of the Collegian has changed over the years, particularly since the 1940s when, as a result of campus involvement in WWII and University growth, the newspaper expanded its scope to include information pertaining to broader campus issues and world events, campus news and announcements, world news (primarily since the early 1950s), editorials, columns and opinion pieces, sports news, photographs, and student comics are regular components. Special feature pages were introduced in the late 1970s for Women; World News; Arts and Living; Black Affairs; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Issues; and Jewish Affairs. Other materials in this collection include reports, special and anniversary issues, and articles and news clippings pertaining to The Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Administrative files on the Women’s Occupation of the Collegian office in 1978, are also included.

Alternate formats: The complete set of publications (1914-2007) is available on microfilm. It is housed as #A334 in the library’s microfilm collection.

C6.2. Collegian Quarterly 1938-1955 0.5 lin. feet
The Collegian Quarterly first appeared 1937 and 1938 in newspaper format as a literary supplement to The Massachusetts Collegian to “offer the [Massachusetts State College] student an outlet for the expression of his Ideas and Experience.” Under the guidance of the Academic Activities Board, the Collegian Quarterly Board (consisting of the Editor, Associate Editor and Assistant Editor) and staff edited and published four issues each academic year. Starting in the autumn of 1938, the Collegian Quarterly was printed in a smaller booklet format, although the 1944 issue was printed in newspaper format. The name changed in 1946 to Quarterly and in 1958 to The Literary Magazine. The Literary Magazine was succeeded by Caesura in 1962.

Issues contain student prose and poetry, photographs, and sketches, as well as advertisements. Included in the collection is one small folder containing memoranda, newsclippings and a 1981 note from Dr. Max Goldberg detailing some historical information on the Collegian Quarterly.

C6.4. College Signal 1901-1914 3.0 lin. feet
The records of the Aggie Life and the College Signal secretary (1893-1905) are included in this series. Collection consists of bound volumes (1901-1914) and unbound issues (1901-1905).

Alternate formats: Also available on microfilm: College Signal (1901-1914), RG 190/12.

C7. Commonwealth 1947-1949
C7.2. Contemporary University Newsletter 1970
C7.4. Context 1960
C7.8. Creative Voice 1990-2007
C8. Critical Times 1985-1988
D7. Drum 1979-1983
E4. Exit 1968
F6. Free Press 1966
F6.5. Freshman Register 1974-1977
F7. Friday War-Cry 1914-1915
G7. GrassRoots 1976
H6. Hobbit 1967
H7. Houyhnhum (Orchard Hill) ca.1970
I3. Ichthus 1967
I4. Ikhana 1962-1964
I5. Index 1869-2007 14 lin. feet
The first undergraduate yearbook was published in 1869 and described by its editors as “a pamphlet designed to represent the internal growth and status of the College, and which we hope may prove of interest alike to members of the College and to the public”. Originally the junior class was responsible for its organization and publication; however in 1934, both the junior and senior classes produced their own separate editions. From 1935 to 2006, the yearbook was organized and published by the senior class. The yearbook was discontinued during the 2006-2007 academic year.

The archives maintain several copies of the Index for reference and research. There is occasional documentation of protests and demonstrations; dignitaries, scholars and performers visiting campus; military presence on campus; status of library and greenhouse collections; art and horticultural shows; world events; and advertisements. The first individual student photographs appeared in the 1902 Index. In recent years, only a small fraction of the graduating class has elected to have portraits included. Recent yearbooks also include information on the five-college consortium, surrounding communities, campus maps and transportation.

I6. Intercollegiate Daily News 1933-1934
K5. Kick Off 1930
L2. La Resistance 1967
L2.3. Left Field 1990
L2.5. Liberator 1989-2007
L4. MAC Literary Monthly 1910
L5. Little Dipolmant (Ft. Devens) 1948
M2. Maroon and White 1992-2007
M3. Mass Action 1928-1929
M4. Massachusetts Collision 1933
M4.5. Massachusetts Free Press 1988-2007
M5. Minuteman 1986-2007
The Minuteman is an independent student newspaper published by The Silent Majority, a Registered Student Organization of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. First published in the spring of 1986, the newspaper, according to its first editors, “provides a forum for alternative political views seldom expressed in existing campus media.”
M8. Multicultural UMass Community 1988
N4. News and Notes 1959
N5. News Project (an insert in the Collegian) 1968
N5.5. Nexus 2004-2007
N6. NOMMO 1990-1994
09. Out Front 1975-1977
P4. Plague 1939
P5. Poetry Circular 1963
P6. Pow-Wow 1948
P7. Progressive Student
Q8. Questor 1974
Quarterly 1958-1959
R2. Razor Blade 1920-1923
R3. Register 1870-1884
S2. Sam Spank’s Greatest Hits 1968
S3. Shorthorn 1921-1957 2.5 lin. feet
First published in 1921, Shorthorn was the yearbook of the two-year Stockbridge School of Agriculture of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Massachusetts State College, and the University of Massachusetts. The name changed to STOSAG in 1958.
1. Shorthorn Newsletter 1962-1977
S4. Songbooks and Songs
S5. Spectrum 1965-1986
S6. Squib 1914-1924
S7. Statesman
Also the Summer Statesman, Crier, Summer Crier, Summer News, Summer Time, and Solstice
S8. STOSAG 1958-1995
The Stockbridge School of Agriculture yearbook, previously published as Shorthorn (1921-1957), was renamed STOSAG in 1958 on the 40th anniversary of the school’s establishment in 1918. It ceased publication after the 1995 edition.
S8.6. Student Newsnote on Massachusetts Higher Education 1976
S9. Student To Student 1978
S10. Summer School Wail
S11. Sylvan Parchment 1976
T2. Take-Off 1943-1944
T7. Transitions (MGSA Newsletter) 1987
T8. Travesty 1990
T9. Troy 1990
U4. UMAGRAFFITI ca. 1975
V3. Valley Review 1967-1968
W4. Weekly Biff 1910
W5. Weekly News 1989
Y2. Yahoo 1954-1973 1 lin. foot
Yahoo, a collegiate humor magazine, was first published in 1954 by students at University of Massachusetts Amherst “to satirize college life in general and to expose the humorous institutions of the University in particular.” The magazine also provided a forum for student expression and opinion on broader contemporary issues.
Yahoo earned the description “ill-fated” in 1966, when it finally became too outrageous for its time. Following a verbal barrage by Senator John Harrington (D-Lowell) who was displeased by cartoons, the university administration cut Student Senate funds from Yahoo in 1966. Following the suspension, an “unmentionable” campus humor magazine was published in 1968, under the titles “Magazine” and “NO¢”. In the spring of 1969, Yahoo returned to campus when the Trustees approved the re-use of the name Yahoo for the “unnamed” campus humor magazine. The last issues of Yahoo were published in 1973.

Magazines contain feature articles, short stories, editorials, poems, cartoons, sketches, photographs, and advertising. Organization records include constitutions, board and committee files, correspondence, and newsclippings.

Y5. Ynkhorne 1926-1927
Z8. Zu News 1989-1995
1. Student Senate/Student Government Association (SGA) 20.25 lin. feet
In 1899, undergraduate students at the Massachusetts Agricultural College initiated efforts to form a College Senate and in 1901, the Student Senate was established. It grew in size and authority as a result of an increased need for strict enforcement of conduct in a growing student body. By the early 1920s, student government rested in the hands of four organizations: Student Senate (executive body for all four year students), Women’s Student Council, the Honor Council, and Adelphia.

In 1948, when a new constitution reorganized the Student Government into Legislative, Administrative, and Judicial branches, the Student Senate was placed within the Legislative. Its function was to “exert a governing influence on student conduct and activities, … represent the interests of the student body before the faculty and the administration,… supervise and determine the procedure of student elections, appoint committees, and make expenditures from a fund provided for it by the men of this college.” With the creation of residence halls and area governments in the late 1960s, the role of the Student Senate was re-examined. The result was a larger and more formal student governing body with many committees handling such areas as budget and finance, services, elections, announcements, women’s affairs, and other areas of student concern.

This collection consists of bound meeting minutes of the Student Senate secretary (1901-1948) and administrative materials (1909-1922, 1960s-early 1980s) including by-laws, constitutions, budget materials, unbound meeting minutes, committee records, correspondence, newsclippings and subject files. The early meeting minutes (1901-1948) document discussions and decisions relating to student conduct and discipline. Topics included traditional rope pull, hazing, social events, banquets, sports related issues and smoking on campus.

Also available are 15 boxes (18.75 lin. feet) of unprocessed administrative files, ca. 1950-1990 which are located off site; prior notice for access is required.

1. Executive
2. Judiciary 1963-2007
The undergraduate judicial system of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is based on the Code of Student Conduct (CSC). The CSC serves as an umbrella document which covers any undergraduate student enrolled in or accepted for an academic program, or any student residing in University housing facilities. It incorporates and empowers other policies, which are enforced through procedures set up by the CSC. The University has always had standards of behavior for its community. In 1967 the first Code of Student Conduct of the modern era was approved. It addressed issues of safety and civility, academic honesty, financial obligations, and residence hall living. In the summer of 1986, major revisions were introduced to the Code of Student Conduct. Since that time, additional changes have occurred.

Included in the record are First Annnual Report to the Umass Student Government Association on the Office of the Attorney General (1980), policy acts and statements (1971), Judicial System Manuals (1971), report of the ad hoc Committee on Judicial Review (1971), an Overview of the Undergraduate Judicial System (1988) and newsclippings.

2. Attorney: Legal Services Office (LSO) 1973-2007 .25 lin. feet
Discussions between the Dean of Students and the Student Senate led to the hiring of an attorney, Richard Howland, in September 1970 as general counsel to undergraduates to advise students without representing them in any litigation. In the mid-1970s, the students increased their financial support of the program, with appropriations from the Graduate Student Senate and the Student Government Association (Student Activities Tax), in order to expand the staff and allow attorneys to represent students in specific types of cases. In 1973, the Legal Services Office (LSO) was created to “provide counseling, advice, representation, and education to the student body of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst concerning all legal matters.” In 1975, in response to student demands, the Trustees recognized the authority of the LSO to litigate on behalf of students in cases against the University. In 1986, the Trustees, acting upon recommendations of University administrators, revoked its recognition of the LSO’s authority to represent students in cases against the University or in criminal cases.

After a number of years of dispute, the President and Chancellor reviewed the issue and in 1993 the Trustees passed a resolution that allowed student activities fees to continue to be used for LSO operations “provided that the office, which is supported by University funds, shall not engage in litigation either in court or before administrative agencies, against the Commonwealth or any of its agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities including the University, or any municipality, or any officer, trustee, agent or employee of any of the foregoing for actions related to their official duties or responsibilities.”

Collection consists of Legal Services Office board minutes (1979-1981), correspondence (1979-1983), The Students Rights Advocate (1989-1991,1997), typescript history of LSO by Robert Gage (1975), brochures and flyers, and newsclippings.

4. Women’s Student Government Association (WSGA) 1920-1984 .5 lin. feet
The Women’s Student Government Association, initially the Women’s Student Council, was formed in 1919 as the self-governing body for women students. All female students were considered ipso facto members of the Association, and if enrolled for a minimum of one year, eligible to vote. Its purpose was to establish guidelines for student conduct and “make each member feel responsibility to herself, to the Association, and to the college; and to give each girl a conception of citizenship which will hold not only in [the] college community but in the greater group after college.”

Materials in the collection consist of a Women’s Student Council history extracted from the 1931 “Index”, correspondence to and from the Women’s Judiciary Board (1955), Handbooks for Women (1929, 1936-1942), Centennial Focus on Women program (1963), policy for Award of Honor to Women Students (n.d) and newsclippings (1920, 1984). The handbook issued annually to female students by the WSGA included the constitution and by-laws of the Association; regulations governing residential housing and general personal conduct; and information about female students’ clubs and organizations at the college, including sororities.

5. Stockbridge Senate
6. Summer Student Government
7. Student Senate Committees
A2. Academic Affairs
A8. Auto Pool
B8. Budget
C6. Communications
F3. Faculty and Educational Policy
L4. Lecture Note Program
P8. Public Policy
R4. Reform 1966
R5. Rents and Fees
S7. Student Life 1936-1967
T7. Transit Service
8. Joint Committees
9. Southwest Area Government (SWAG)
10. Student Center for Educational Research and Advocacy (SCERA) 1975-2007 1 lin. foot
Formed in 1978 by the merging of the Student Organizing Project (SOP) and the Student Center for Educational Research (SCER), the Student Center for Educational Research and Advocacy (SCERA) is today the research and advocacy arm of the Undergraduate Student Senate. SCERA, consisting of students and professional staff, analyzes existing programs, deciphers student education issues and needs, and advocates to improve student life, work and study at the University. The center also seeks to provide students with the skills and resources to do their own research and analysis and to organize to bring about change.

Included in the collection are in-depth study reports (1975-1981) on such topics as student housing, governance, budget, course and teacher evaluation, student racism, buildings and spaces. Also represented are administrative files containing meeting minutes, correspondence (1977, 1979-1980), and newsclippings.

11. Honor System
12. Town Meeting (Student Action Committee)
13. Progressive Candidates Pool
14. Northeast Area Government
15. Black Students at UMass and in Western Massachusetts
16. Sylvan Area Government
17. Union Program Council (UPC)
18. Off Campus Housing Office (OCHO)/Commuter Services and Housing Resources Center, 1993- )
19. Black Student Union 1992-2007
20. Graduate Student Senate 1965-2007 2.25 lin. feet
In 1965, the Graduate Student Senate was established to work with administration and faculty in making policy recommendations on issues such as student housing, parking, and cultural matters. In 1972, a Graduate Student Senate Task Force was organized to explore ways of strengthening the Senate as an accountable and influential body and increasing its involvement in initiating, funding, and running student-related services. In 1977, a stronger Graduate Student constitution was passed. In 1978, the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) lent their support for UMass graduate student employee unionization and collective bargaining. Since its inception, the GSS has maintained involvement with campus governance by securing graduate representation on search committees and other campus-wide committees and by offering informational seminars.

Consists of meeting minutes (1964-1989), constitutions (1965, 1977), Report of the Joint Commission on Campus Governance (1971), committee materials, organizing materials for unionization and collective bargaining of graduate student employees (1973-1980), membership cards and lists (1970’s), newsletters (1969-1970’s), Graduate Student Senate newsletters (The Graduate Voice [1983-1990] and The Voice), newsclippings, announcements, and other subject material.

30. Media-other than publications 1948-2007 0.5 lin. feet
Consists of constitutions, histories, committee minutes, memoranda, program guides, newsletters, newsclippings, flyers, and memorabilia of student-run media organizations including Black Mass Communications Project, Student Publications and Broadcast Board (1966, 1969), Soul TV, Union Video Center, UVC TV-Channel 19, WMUA (1948-2007), WOCH, WSUR (1988) and WSYL (1986).
B4. Black Mass Communications Project (BMCP) 1968-2007
P8. Publications and Broadcast Board, Student
U5. Union Video Center (Student Video Project)
W6. WMUA (FM Radio Station)
W7. WOCH (Orchard Hill Radio Station, 1987)
W8. WSUR (Southwest Radio Station)
W9. WSYL (Sylvan Radio Station)
40. General/Special Interest Groups 1908-2007 11.25 lin. feet
This series consists of the collected records of individual general and special interest student groups from Massachusetts Agricultural College (1867-1931), Massachusetts State College (1931-1947), and the University of Massachusetts (1947-2007). Represented are clubs, associations, centers, and collectives.
A2. Abilities Unlimited 1986-2007
A2.5. ACCESS 1989
A3.2. Afro-American Society 1968-2007
A3.6. Agricultural Improvement Association 1911-1912
A4. Allied Students Against Prejudice (ASAP) 1992-2007
A5. Anti-Racism Coalition 1992-2007
A6. Arab ca. 1969
A7. Armenian Students Club 1985
A8. Asian American Students Association (AASA) 1975-2007
B4. Blues Band 1985-2007
B6.2. Boarding Club, MAC 1884
B6.4. Book Club, MAC 1908-1925
C2. Cambodian Student Association
C3. Camera Club, Amherst 1935
C3.5. Cape Verdean Student Alliance (CVCA) 1982-2007
C4. Counseling Assistance for Older Students (CAOS) 1976
C4.3. Chess Team 1980
C4.5. Chinese Student Club
C5. College Bowl Team 1964
C6. Commuter Assembly
C6.5. Co-ops and Businesses, Student Run
C7. Craft Market
C9. Craft Shop
C10. Credit Union, Student Federal
D3. Dames Club
E3. Edward Everett Literary Society 1870-1876
E5. Environmental Horticultural Club (Envhort) 1997-2007
E6. Equestrian Drill Team
E7. Escort Service
E8. European Club 1991-2007
F4. Fire and First Aid Unit
F5. Flying Club, Collegiate
F5.4. Flying Redman
F6. Food Service Governance Board
G3. People’s Gay Alliance
G7. Graduate Women’s Network 1994-2007
G8. Grievance Support Group 1994-2007
H1. Haitian Student Association (HASA)
H2. Hang Gliding Club
H3. Handicapped Student Collective
H3.5. Hands Club (sign language) 1980s-2007
H4. Hellenic Student Association 1982-1991
H5. HillTop Health Club 1983
H5.5. Hindu Students Organization (HSO) 1995-2007
H6. Hispanic Cultural Center 1989
H8. Hunger Task Force, UMass
I5. Indian, Asian, Association
I5.2. Institute of Food Technologists 1950
I5.3. International Club
I6. Indian, American, Student Association
J3. Japan America Club 1990
J4. Jewish Caucus
J8. Juggling Club
K2. Karate Club
K6. Korean Student Association (KSA) 1985-2007
L2. Latin American Cultural Center (LACC)
L4. Lesbian Union
M3. MAC Dramatic Society
M4. Mass Aid
M5. Minute Waltzer’s 1987-2007
M8. Muslim Students Association 1994-2007
N3.6. Natural History Society 1883-1895
N6. Non-academic computing (NAC) 1996-2007
O9.3. Outing Club 1940-2007
P2. Pakistani Student Association (PSA) 1996-2007
P3. Parachute Club, Sport
P4. People’s Market
P4.5. People’s News-Stand
P5. Photographer’s Association
P6. Portuguese Club
P6.5. Poultry Club
P7. Precisionettes
P7.4. Pre-Law Association
P7.5. Pre-Medical Society
R3. Amateur Radio Club 1948
R4. Reading Room Association
R4.5. Record Club 1937
R5. Redemption Service, Student
R5.5. REFLECT 1995-2007
R6. Residential Recycling Program
S3. Sailing Club
S4. Science Fiction Club
S4.1. Single Parents Association 1992-2007
S4.2. Ski Club
S4.23. South Asian Club 1992-2007
S4.25. Sportsman Club 1988-2007
S4.3. Stereo Co-ops
S4.5. Students on Security (SOS)
S6.5. State Student Association of Massachusetts (SSAM)
S6.7. Students Advocating Financial Aid (SAFA)
S6.9. Students Advocating Rights Together (START)
S7. Student Competition on Relevant Engineering Inc. (SCORE)
S7.2. Students for a Safe Campus 1988-2007
S7.3. Student Network United To Fight Fires (SNUFF)
S7.35. Student Notes and Printing Service (SNPS)
S7.4. Student Nurses Association (SNA) 1987-2007
S7.5. Students United for Public Education (SUPE)
S8.8. Student Workshop on Activities Problems (SWAP)
T4. Tenants Organizing Project 1988-2007
T5. Tibetan Students Association (TSA) 1997-2007
T7. Triathlon Club 1989-2007
T8. Turkish Student Organization
U5. Undergraduate Art Students Association (U-ARTS)
U6. United Asia House 1989
V3. Varsity Club 1921-1937
V4. Veterans Coalition
V4.5. Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
V5. Vietnamese Students Association
V6. Volunteer Initiative Blending Education and Service (VIBES) 1989-2007
V7. Volunteers Involved in Vital Action (VIVA) 1992-2007
W3. Washington Irving Literary Society 1867-1892
W6. Women’s Admissions and General Support (WAGES)
Y6. Young Workers Liberation League (YWILL)
45. Unions and Associations (authorized as bargaining agents for the student body) 1974-2007 0.5 lin. feet
In the fall of 1974 students on campus were sparked into action when then Vice Chancellor Gage sent a memo to senate Speaker Cindy McGrath in which the vice chancellor declared his own veto power over the Senate. The result was the first student town meeting at his campus, and increased attention on the possibility of students acting independently of the administration. A second occurrence in 1975 was to forever change student and administration relations. The state of Massachusetts and the University experienced a drastic budget crisis, which resulted in major cutbacks in the budget here on campus. Hundreds of teaching assistant and research assistant positions were eliminated during the summer of 1975. Outraged at these attacks on their livelihood and on the quality of education on campus, but powerless to combat them, a small group of graduate students began discussing an organization for graduate students. The Graduate Student Employees Organizing Committee (GSEOC) was created in the fall of 1975. Since that time a number of student organizations have been formed to respond to relevant issues on the Amherst campus.

This collection consists of the records of individual undergraduate and graduate student organizations, committees, unions, coalitions, and projects (authorized as bargaining agents for the student body) whose main purpose since the mid-1970s is to bring campus students together into unified groups for mutual support, advocacy, and in the case of the Graduate Employees Organization, collective bargaining. Materials include agreements, handbooks, proposals and responses, memos and correspondence, open letters, newsletters, announcements, brochures, posters, bumper stickers, flyers, songs and chants, and newsclippings.

G5. Graduate Employees Organization (GEO)
G6. Graduate Employee Union Organization Committee (GEUOC)
G7. Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)
G8. Graduate Teachers Organization (GTO)
P8. Public Student Coalition
O7. Student Organizing Project
S7. Student Unionization
U5. Union of Student Employees
50. Fine Arts/program groups: 1910-2007 3.25 lin. feet
Series consists of the following fine arts program groups: Roister Doisters (1910-1976), Distinguished Visitor’s Program, Musical Clubs (1923, 1941-1942) and Arts and Music Committee (1963,1967).
A7. Arts and Music Committee
D5. Distinguished Visitor’s Program (DVP)
M8. Musical Clubs
R6. Roister Doisters
60. Honorary Societies 1915-2007
A3. Adelphia
A3.5. ALANA Honor Society (Asian Latino African Native American)
A4.2. Alpha Lambda Delta
A4.4. Alpha Phi Gamma
A4.5. Alpha Pi Mu
A4.7. Alpha Sigma Lambda
A4.9. Alpha Zeta
B2.5. Beta Gamma Sigma
C3. Chi Epsilon
E4. Eta Kappa Nu
E4.5. Eta Sigma Delta
E4.55. Eta Sigma Phi
G3. Golden Key 1985-2007
K3. Kappa Delta Phi
L4. Lear
M3. Maroon Key Society
M6. Mortar Board
O4. Omicron Delta Epsilon
O4.5. Omicron Nu
P2. Phi Alpha Theta
P5. Phi Eta Sigma
P5.5. Phi Kappa Phi 1904-2007
P6. Phi Sigma Alpha
P6.5. Pi Tau Sigma
P7. Psi Chi
R4. Revelers
S4. Scrolls
S4.25. Sigma Lambda Alpha
S4.5. Sigma Theta Tau
T3. Tau Beta Pi
U6. Upsilon Pi Epsilon
X5. Xi Sigma Pi
70. Religious Groups 1868-2007 4.25 lin. feet
The earliest student religious organization, at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, appears to have been established in 1868 as the College Christian Union. The object of this society was to gather moral and religious information of the world and to “promote the religious culture of its members.” The next major organization represented is the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) (1891-1930s). The Newman Club was founded at the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1929 and continues to serve students of the Catholic faith. In 1934 the Menorah Club was revived for Jewish students and later replaced by the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation. The 1940s saw the establishment of the Student Christian Association, which served Protestant students on Campus. Since the 1960s many other student religious organizations have organized to serve the students at UMass Amherst.

This series consists of the records of individual religious groups at the College and University. The two collections best represented are the Christian Science Organization (1947-1973) and B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation (1955-1991).

B3. Baha’i Club
B6. Boston Church of Christ (BCC) (1990- )
C5.3. Christian Association, Student
C5.8. Christian Science Organization (CSO) 1947-1973 0.5 lin. feet
The Christian Science Organization (CSO) was established at the Massachusetts State College in the spring of 1947 “to unite the Christian Scientists at the College in the understanding of the true meaning of Christian Science.” The organization at UMass was disbanded in 1989; however, in 1991, students from the Five College consortium institutions (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass) established a joint Christian Science Organization.

This series contains by-laws, biennial meeting minutes (1967), correspondence (1947-1967), treasurer’s records (1965-1968), lecture committee records (1964-1972) and subject files such as World’s Fair Activity (1965), Inter-Religious Activity (1964-1965), and “Christian Science Monitor” promotion (1962-1965).

C6. College Christian Union
D5. Divine Light Mission
H5. Hillel 1955-1991
As early as 1919, Jewish students organized a Menorah Society at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, for the purpose of furthering their intellectual and moral development. In the late 1930s it was replaced with the Menorah Club, whose goal was to fulfill the needs of Jewish students for the study of Jewish problems and the need of Jewish students for mutual acquaintance at the Massachusetts State College. In 1943, The University of Massachusetts Hillel Foundation, a branch of the national B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation, was established as an organization on campus. Hillel’s primary mission is to coordinate and support group activities of a social, cultural, educational, and religious nature for Jewish students.

This collection documents the activities and nature of the foundation from its one-room beginnings to its campus-wide involvement and its later move into its present Hillel House. While this collection is important for understanding the growth and impact of Hillel as an organization, there is little about its internal operations. Included are correspondence, reports, scrapbooks, announcements and calendars, subject files, newsclippings, publications and videotapes. Continued accretions of subject files include: announcements, calendars, programs, memoranda, newsclippings, and newsletters.

H5.5. Hindu Students Organization (HSO) 1995-2007
I5. Inter-Religious Project 1997-2007
L8. Lubuvitch Movement
M4. Memorah Club
N3. New Testament Fellowship
N4. Newman Club
S8. Students International Meditation Society (SIMS)
T3. UMass Pagan Association
U5. Unification Church of America
U7. Upside Down Club 1992-2007
Y5. Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
80. Social Action Groups 1968-2007 9.75 lin. feet
The early 1960s saw a rise in the number of student social and political action groups at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Young Republicans, Americans for Freedom Club, Martin Luther King Jr. Social Action Council and Students’ Party were representative of these early groups some of whose goals were to identify discontent, raise social consciousness, and effect policy change at the University.

This series consists of the collected records of student social action groups for the College and University. Two groups well represented are the Radical Student Union (1968-1989) and the People for a Socially Responsible University (1989-1990).

A4. Ahora
A4.5. ALANA (Asian Latino African Native American)
A5. Amnesty International, UMass
A6. Animal Rights Coalition (ARC) 1993-2007
B6. Boltwood Project
C3. Cannibus Reform Coalition (CRC) 1993-2007
C4. Center for Diversity and Development (CDD) 1996-2007
C5. Central America Solidarity Association (CASA)
C6. Coalition for Environmental Quality (CEQ)
Renamed the Coalition for Environmental Action in 1974.
C6.5. Concerned Students for Civil Rights (CSFCR) 1997-2007
D4. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
D7. Draft Counseling Services
J8. Juvenile Opportunities Extension (JOE)
L3. Latin American Solidarity Committee, Western Massachusetts
M3. Martin Luther King Social Action and Lecture Group
M4. Men Acting for Change (MAC) 1994-2007
M6. Mobilization Committee, Student
N4. New American Movement
N6.4. Northern Educational Services
N7. National Organization for Women (NOW) 1989-2007
N8. Nutrition and Human Needs, Committee on
P4. UMass Peacemakers (see also Peacemakers Records, MS-309)
P5. People for a Socially Responsible University (PSRU) 1989-1990 0.5 lin. feet
In 1989, People for a Socially Responsible University (PSRU), a social action group at UMass, formed from within the Radical Student Union organization. The goal of PSRU was to stop military research at the university that was tied to the U.S. Department of Defense. More broadly, PSRU sought to build a university that would play a leading role in the development of a “new society” that would “empower the oppressed and remove control from any oppressor.” In 1990, when the Student Activities Office informed PSRU that they were not a legal student group, they moved their office off-campus to downtown Amherst.

This series consists of newsletters, newsclippings, and flyers that document some of the goals, local activities and broader interests of the People for a Socially Responsible University.

P6. People for Choice
P7. Progressive Organization of Women’s Rights (POWER) 1989-2007
R1. Radical Student Union 7.5 lin. feet
By a constitutional amendment in 1980, the former Revolutionary Student Brigade (established in the late 1960s), changed its name to the Radical Student Union (RSU). The RSU seeks to provide the University community the opportunity to discuss and act upon political issues from an alternative viewpoint. In the decades of the 1960s and 1970s the RSU was very active with information distribution and demonstrations both on and off campus. Some of the diverse issues it addressed during this period included: Seabrook, Amherst Nursing Home Strike, Martin Luther King Week, Opposition to the “Human Life” movement, and U.S. Involvement in El Salvador. Between 1985 and 1989 the R.S.U. published the newspaper “Critical Times”, predecessor of the “Liberator” (1989, 1994). An attempt to rename the RSU the Alliance for Student Power occurred in 1994.

The collection comprises constitutions, meetings minutes and agenda, budgets and financial statements, correspondence, membership lists, press releases and articles, news clippings, student papers, published materials, brochures, posters, song-lyrics and related materials.

R4. Republican Club, University of Massachusetts (1983)
R6. Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade
S6. Social Action, Center for
S7.8. Student Action Committee 1975
S7.9. Student Alliance for Israel 1982
S8. Student Coalition
S9. Student Volunteer Services (SVS)
S8.2. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)
S8.3. Students for America (SFA)
S8.4. Students for Political Action
S8.5. Students Offering Support (SOS)
S8.6. Students’ Party
T5. Third World Community Program 1973-2007
U4. UMass Greens 1989
U5. United States Student Association (USSA)
U6. University Democrats
V. VOX: Students For Choice 2001-2007
W3. Wheel 1986
W4. W.E.B. Du Bois Petition Coalition 1993-1994
W5. Women’s Caucus and Vietnam Veterans Against the War 1971-1972
W6. Women’s Leadership Project 1984-1989
Y6. Young Americans for Freedom
Y6.1. Young Communist League
Y6.2. Young Democrats
Y6.4. Young Independents
Y6.8. Young Republicans
90. Fraternities and Sororities 1868-2007 10.25 lin. feet
A3.5. Alpha Chi Omega
A4. Alpha Delta Phi
A4.2. Alpha Gamma Rho
A4.3. Alpha Epsilon Pi
A4.32. Alpha Phi Alpha
A4.35. Alpha Phi Gamma
A4.4. Alpha Phi Omega
A4.6. Alpha Tau Gamma 1919-1988
A7. Arcon 1964-1984
B4. Beta Kappa Phi
C5. Chi Omega
C6. College Shakespearean Club (Alpha Sigma Phi)
D4. Delta Chi
D4.6. Delta Phi Gamma
D4.7. Delta Sigma Phi 1995-2007
D4.8. Delta Zeta
D5. DGK Fraternity
I6. Iota Phi Theta
K3.4. Kappa Gamma Phi
K3.6. Kappa Kappa Gamma
K3.8. Kappa Sigma
L3. Lambda Chi Alpha
L3.6. Lambda Delta Phi
O6. Omega Psi Phi 1985-2007
P3. Pan Hellenic Council
P4. Phi Beta Sigma
P5. Phi Delta Kappa
P5.2. Phi Mu Delta
P5.5. Phi Sigma Delta
P5.6. Phi Sigma Kappa
P5.7. Pi Beta Phi
P5.9. Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE)
P6. Pi Kappy Phi 2006-2007
Q8. QTV Fraternity 1869-2007
S5.2. Sigma Alpha Epsilon
S5.25. Sigma Alpha Mu
S5.3. Sigma Delta Tau
S5.35. Sigma Gamma Epsilon 1949-2007
S5.4. Sigma Kappa
S5.5. Sigma Phi Epsilon
S5.9. Sigma Sigma Sigma
Tri-Sig
S6. Social Union 1872-1940
T3. Tau Kappa Epsilon
T4. Theta Chi
T4.5. Theta Phi
Z5. Zeta Nu
Z6. Zeta Phi Beta
Z7. Zeta Psi
100. Student Activities Without Formal Organization or Name
101. Student Protests and Demonstrations
The series is arranged into three major groupings. The first, Protests and Demonstrations prior to 1977, reflects student unrest as early as 1867 and includes Civil Rights, Vietnam War and other issues of the 1970s, arranged chronologically. The second grouping, 1970 Vietnam Student Strike Files, are arranged into Subject Files, News Media and Student Letters/Audiotape. The third grouping, Protests and Demonstrations is alphabetically arranged.
Connect to another siteA number of student publications have been digitized and are indexed in YouMass.

Subjects

Aggie LifeBay State RuralistCollege SignalCollege students--MassachusettsGreek letter societies--MassachusettsStudent newspapers and periodicals--MassachusettsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst--Students