History Department,, 1970-1977

Dean Foster.

Folder contents include memoranda and correspondence that reveals the tensions between the DC history department and the RU administration in the debate over college department independence and intercollegiate cooperation. The specific issues arose over cut backs in faculty, resulting in loaning and borrowing faculty between the colleges. A proposal for DC to take over history for Cook is shot down by DC.

Noteworthy is mention of the first conference on women's history held at Douglass in 1973 sponsored by the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians. Correspondence from Dean Foster indicates her enthusiastic endorsement. Reveals DC advancing its women's studies programs with Dean's encouragement. Future Dean Mary Hartman co-chaired the conference with Lois Brener.

Documents also deal with a topic found in many of the departments folders and of direct concern to the DC Deans, which was the issue of coordination and cooperation between undergraduate and graduate departments. Discussed was the question how could the departments offer enough research opportunities for faculty and attract quality graduate students without compromising the quality of undergraduate teaching. DC Deans were protective of undergraduate teaching.