Series II. Subject Files,, 1936, 1945-1971

Summary: Material includes in-coming and out-going correspondence, reports, memoranda , minutes and a few architectural drawings. Within this series are files on a wide variety of topics, organizations, individuals and events which reveal information about the function of the President's Office during Dr. Gross's administration. Some of the more important files include: 1) colleges and schools within the University which are files alphabetically by name; 2) correspondence between President Robert C. Clothier, President Lewis Webster Jones as well as deans of the schools and colleges and key University administrators.; 3) events such as civil rights disruptions on the Newark campus and Rutger's bicentennial celebration; and 4) files of correspondence and reports between the President's Office and various local, state and federal offices.

The correspondence in these files reveals information about the administration of Rutgers by Gross as Provost as well as President. The letters between Dr. Gross and Rutgers President Robert Clothier between 1947 and 1951 provide an idea of how the two worked together, especially at the critical time when President Clothier was on an extended leave because of ill health. The budget files include copies of proposed budgets, correspondence and President Gross's testimony before the State Legislature in which he justifies spending proposals. There is also considerable correspondence between President Gross and various administrative department heads which include: Maurice Ayers, Assistant to the President for facilities and buildings; Kenneth R. Erfft, Vice President and Treasurer; John P. Kirkwood, Director of Personnel and Placement; George A. Kramer, Director of Admissions; and Wallace Moreland, Director of Public Relations.

There are files for the various colleges and schools within the University which include reports, forms, and correspondence. There are often specific subject files with the colleges, including material on searches for new deans. Some of the correspondence is between President Gross and the deans, much is also copies of routine correspondence from the deans to third parties which were then copied to the President. Some of the Major correspondents include Elmer C. Easton, College of Engineering; Henry C. Herge, Graduate School of Education; Leland Merrill, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science; Harry G. Owen, College of Arts and Science; and DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Medical School. Correspondence with the deans is sometimes arranged sepafiles. Thererately by school or college files or is interfiled with general correspondence files of that school or college.

The files on the colleges often reflect the development and expansion of programs. The Medical School records provide an outline of the schools growth from the first proposals to changes in the scope of the program as well as the choice of faculty and students. The Livingston College folders help document the development of that campus, both physically and academically.

The takeover of Conklin Hall on the Newark Campus in 1969 as well as some smaller protests are well documented in the files. There are 12 folders labeled "Disruptions" devoted to this topic. These include clippings, reports and correspondence. The most voluminous materials are the letters sent to President Gross from Rutgers alumni and the general public, criticizing his actions. These letters provide an interesting look at how the public perceived the Civil Rights movement as it was played out at Rutgers.

Throughout the collection are folders covering specific state, federal bills (e.g. General Extension Bill of 1962, Higher Education Act, and all the bond issues listed under the State of New Jersey). These files document President Gross's intensive lobbying efforts on behalf of the University. Further evidence of President Gross's relationship with state and federal and local government can be found in the subject files "Legislators," "New Brunswick, City of" and "New Jersey, State of." Of particular interest is the correspondence between President Gross and Ralph A. Dungan, Chancellor of the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, a department created in 1967. These files reveal the beginnings of the relationship between Rutgers and the State office which governs it.

Many of the files reflect President Gross's personal projects and interests. The "Columbia Broadcasting System" files concern his involvement with the radio show "Invitation to Learning" and include three show transcripts. The MacMillan Company files are chiefly concerned with President Gross's work on Alfred North Whitehead: An Anthology, a book he co-edited. An active fund raiser, President Gross helped support the campaigns of the American Cancer Society, Middlesex General Hospital and the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults.