Rutgers University Office of the President (Mason Welch Gross) Records

The presidential records of Mason Gross cover the years 1936 and 1945-1971. The bulk of the material spans his tenure as president of Rutgers University, 1959-1971. The records are divided into 4 series: General Correspondence (1949-1971), Subjects (1936, 1945-1971), Speeches and Writings (1948-1971), and Mason Gross' Faculty Papers (1946-1971). There are 124 manuscript boxes (60 cubic feet) in this collection.

Series I, General Correspondence (boxes 1-12), contains in-coming and out-going correspondence between Mason Gross and various individuals, associations, and corporations. These files cover Mason Gross' times as a faculty member, Provost, and President of Rutgers University. Gross' correspondence with the various individuals and organizations was often brief, and therefore did not warrant individual files. The topics covered, though, are often similar to those in Series II, Subjects. These files are alphabetically arranged.

Series II, Subjects (boxes 13-119), contains in-coming and out-going correspondence, reports, news clippings, telegrams, minutes, memoranda and a few architectural drawings. These files span from 1945 to 1971, but the bulk are from 1959-1971. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically within each folder. Researchers should note that individuals, such as Deans, may be listed separately either under their names or with their affiliate department or office. Mason Gross had contact with a wide variety of correspondents, ranging from influential politicians, scholars, and businessmen to the student body and state citizenry. This should elucidate further the special role and responsibilities befitting a state university president during this period.

While these files cover a wide variety of subjects that address Mason Gross' professional duties and responsibilities, as well as outside interests, there are several especially notable topics in this series that include individual schools and departments within the university;correspondence between Gross and the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees; faculty correspondence; budgets; commencements; the expansion and development of the university; and the various problems associated with student unrest related to Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, urban unrest, and Kent State.

Several topics reflect Mason Gross' influence locally and state-wide as president of Rutgers University. Some of the subject files which reflect his impact in these areas include his correspondence with state legislators and governors Alfred E. Driscoll, Robert B. Meyner, and Richard J. Hughes; dealings with various state departments and divisions; the New Jersey Tercentenary celebrations; the cities of New Brunswick, Newark, and Piscataway Township; and various New Jersey associations, clubs, and organizations. Areas of personal interest for Gross include his work on television programs, such as "Think Fast" and "Two for the Money," as well as the CBS radio program, "Invitation to Learning."

Series III, Speeches and Writings (boxes 120-123), is organized into two sections: Speeches and Writings respectively. These files are chronologically arranged by date of speech or written article, save for the first three folders in box 120, which contain a calendar of most of Mason Gross' speeches between 1947-1970, clippings on various speeches given, and several miscellaneous and unidentified items. Where available, the title of the speech, the event, and the place are noted in the inventory. On occasion, a brief description of the speech topic is given when no other information is available. The speeches and writings cover Mason Gross' tenure as Provost, as well as President of Rutgers University. See box 103 in Series II, Subjects, for correspondence regarding speaking engagements, including Gross' acceptances and regrets.

In general, these files include the transcripts of his speeches at commencement exercises for Rutgers colleges and other institutions, conventions and conferences for a variety of associations, and awards and dedication ceremonies. His writings include letters to the editors of the Rutgers Alumni Monthly and the Sunday New York Times, as well as articles and reviews for publications such as the New York Herald Tribune and the American Review.

Series IV, Mason Gross' Faculty Papers (box 123-124), is alphabetically organized and contains files pertaining to Mason Gross' role as professor of philosophy at Rutgers. While this series spans 1946-1971, the bulk of the materials are from the late 1940s through the early 1960s. The series contains twenty-one (21) folders related to various courses Gross taught while professor, Provost, and President. Other files illuminate some of the questions and problems facing higher education in the post-World War II era, such as the influx of more students less concerned with scholarly pursuits and more concerned in education for economic advancement. Of special interest may be the file entitled "Replies to Memoranda on Teaching of American Democracy" (box 124, folder 11), which deals with the issue of democracy in the classroom during the emergent Cold War era.