V. Subject Files, 1942-1968, 1942-1968, 1942-1968

Unlike the staff folders, these are based around subjects instead of individuals. Most are focused on events the department had (often annually), issues it confronted, recommendations it made to the school, and administrative matters like salary and social security. In addition, there are folders about the Philosophean (an honor society for the department), the new building that was built for the department from 1959-1962, and programs that existed to improve the teaching of English in Rutgers itself as well as in other New Jersey schools, including high schools.

The specific content types differ by folder much more in this series, since the subject matter is so varied in this box. However, there are some general categories of items that show up repeatedly even in this diverse collection. There are meeting minutes and programs from events and performances throughout this part of the collection. There is also correspondence among people involved in those various events, setting up meetings and discussing what was accomplished. There are reports and recommendations that were produced in the committees and councils in question, as well as proposals for future action.

More specifically, some of the folders contain types of information that are relatively unique to them. The "New Building" folder has blueprints, for example, and the "Philosophean" folder has a list of members (current and proposed) for the society. Others have news releases and clippings about the various events, statistical salary tables, blank financial forms, bulletins and newsletters, including one from the American Association of University Professors in Folder 16, and one from the American Council of Learned Societies in Folder 7.

Overall, the items contained in this series give a picture of what the English Department members were doing from 1942-1968 outside of the classrooms. It illuminates events, publications, and programs, as well as clerical things like salary scale adjustments. These items, when taken with the ones in series one, give a more well-rounded account of the time period than either one could on its own.