University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic Affairs

Academic affairs at Massachusetts Agricultural College was initially the responsibility of the college President, however in 1906, the Board of Trustees created the office of Dean of the College, which was responsible for student attendance, scholarship standing, enforcement of faculty rules, and discipline. In 1953, the office of Provost was created to provide leadership in all areas of academic activity, and in 1970, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost became the chief academic officer of the campus, responsible for advising the Chancellor on the whole of the University’s academic program.

This record group includes the collected records of many of the University offices and programs primarily concerned with academic affairs. Initially academic affairs was the responsibility of early presidents. In 1906, the Board of Trustees created the office of Dean of the College. As Dean of the entire college, the Dean was responsible for student attendance, scholarship standing, enforcement of faculty rules, and discipline. In 1953 the office of Provost was created to provide leadership in all areas of academic activity. In 1970 the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost became the chief academic officer of the campus responsible for advising the Chancellor regarding the whole of the University’s academic program.

The bulk of the records consist of the files of individual Deans of the College, Provosts and Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs, as well as the University Year for Action (1971-1976). Also included are the records of interim and special appointees that report to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Provost, and the special programs, committees, institutes, and centers that were initiated by or developed from those offices.