Series IV. Subject Files: National Defense to Safety Office,, 1952-1972

Summary: Some areas represented in Dean Clifford's files deal with issues beyond his regular duties as Dean of Student Affairs. For example, in boxes 39 and 40 there are seventeen folders dealing with the National Defense Student Loan Program. The National Defense Student Loan Program was authorized by the National Education Act of 1958 or Public Law 85-864. The Program was designed to provide loans to those students in need of funding for their education. The intent of the Program was to "identify and educate the talented of Nation" and "to insure trained manpower of sufficient quality and quantity to meet the national defense needs of the United States."(21)

In the Records of the Dean of Student Affairs there are a number of documents referring to the everyday administration of the National Defense Student Loans. There were procedures that had to be followed in awarding the loans, as well as specific ways to file these applications. Dean Clifford, as expected, kept careful track of who had National Defense Student Loans and cumulatively how many loans were processed on each Rutgers campus. These are the typical administrative functions of student financial aid.

On the other hand, every recipient of a National Defense Student Loan had to sign an affidavit and take a loyalty oath. One can see in Box 39, folder 9 "National Defense Student Loan Program 1961 (2 of 2)" the actions that were taken to justify these measures. The Harvard Crimson published "Worse than Futile," a booklet written in support of the loyalty provision of the National Defense Student Loan. "Worse than Futile" had the additional feature of a foreword written by John F. Kennedy. And even though Rutgers did not wholeheartedly support these infringements upon student's rights, the University and Dean Clifford were mandated by the U.S. Congress to only award loans to those students who obeyed these demands.

During the mid-1960s and early 1970s college campuses were seen as localities of activism. This was another facet of the student body that the Dean of Student Affairs had to monitor. The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) was one organization begun at Rutgers during this era. Box 41, folder 10 houses the articles of incorporation, statement of purpose and the research reports that supported its creation.

Another hotbed of physical and ethical activity during Dean Clifford's time at Rutgers was the Newark campus of the University. Much of the material, which includes correspondence, clippings, memos, and the minutes from staff meetings are located in box 42 of this collection. A great deal of the documentation revolves around key administrative developments, like the construction of a Newark Campus / Student Center and the formation of a Newark Drug Education Policy.

Perhaps, though one of the most noteworthy situations that happened during Dean Clifford's tenure at Rutgers is chronicled in the Newark files of box 42. Simply labeled the "Newark Observer Incident: 1970" (folder 6) the heading gives no indication of the severity of the occurrence, which clearly divided the campus. On October 23, 1970 the office of the Newark Observer was vandalized by forty members of the Black Organization of Students and the Puerto Rican Students Organization. This act was in response to the Observer's coverage of Student Senate funding policies that were deemed racist by the two minority groups. The University, following a new policy, called outside forces to deal with these students. Eventually, the Essex County Grand Jury indicted one student for the incident. This just increased the racial tension affecting the campus. In response a racially mixed group of students joined together and held a sit-in at Reverend John Boland's office for twelve days. This whole incident is chronicled in the file with newspaper clippings.

The contents of box 44 document Dean Clifford's leadership of the Rutgers administrative personnel. This box contains material from both the President's Office (during the presidencies of Dr. Mason W. Gross and Edward J. Bloustein) and the Provost's Office. While part of the Provost's Planning Committee Dean Clifford received reports regarding the Federated College Plan and as Vice President for Student Affairs Clifford became part of the Provost's Cabinet. As a member of the Provost's Cabinet Clifford often moved beyond the sphere of student affairs, for example in 1971 he reviewed the contract between the Rutgers faculty and the American Association of University Professors. Box 45 also includes a "Policy" folder that encompasses a myriad of issues, including political organizations on campus, dissent and demonstrations by students, alcoholic beverages, and legal assistance to students.

Female visitation policy and changing social conditions between the genders is another matter that the Dean of Student Affairs had to handle. The official policy on it is located in box 49 folder 16 "Residence Education Policy Board: 1968-1972." This was one of many elements of residence life that Dean Clifford was interested in. His records demonstrate that Clifford was very involved in developing a new type of living unit for students. Dean Clifford called this idea the "Residence Education Center." He wanted to have housing become part of the total educational experience of the student, tying the living unit to the classroom. At least one ingredient of this concept has now become reality; Clifford wanted professors to utilize television as a means to teach students outside the classroom. One place where the Dean of Student Affairs discussed this concept was at various meetings concerning the Raritan Campus. The creation and evolution of this new college is a major portion of the files in box 50. Information about everything from establishing guidelines for the size of the student body to choosing the furnishings for the residence and dining facilities is available in these records.

(21) See Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Office of Education, The National Defense Student Loan Program (Washington, DC: GPO, 1958), p. 1-6.