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University of Pennsylvania. College of Liberal Arts for Women records

Notifications

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us] 3401 Market Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
UPB 3
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Extent:
6.42 cubic feet (5 record cartons)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
University of Pennsylvania. College of Liberal Arts for Women records (1933-1974) UPB 3, University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Date:
1878-1978 (inclusive) and 1933-1975 (bulk)
Creator:
University of Pennsylvania. College of Liberal Arts for Women
Form:
Correspondence, Reports, Minutes (administrative records), and Agendas (administrative records)
Abstract:
The College of Liberal Arts for Women existed at Penn from 1933 to 1975 to serve the academic needs of women students prior to the University becoming coeducational. The records in this collection document the history of the College, primarily through the records of the Office of the Dean. Of particular interest are materials that cover the history of the College, as well as letters, reports, and statements concerning the College's merger into the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 1975. The records are primarily correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and other administrative files.

Prior to 1933, women who wished to earn a degree at the University of Pennsylvania were limited to attending either the School of Education or taking evening and weekend classes through programs that preceded the present-day College of Liberal and Professional Studies. (College Courses for Teachers and College Collateral Courses.) Growing interest by women for greater educational opportunities prompted the Dean of the School of Education to lobby the Trustees to provide more degree options for women students. The Trustees considered making the College of Arts and Sciences coeducational, but students, faculty, and alumni of that College protested the idea of admitting women. Consequently, the Trustees decided to create the College of Liberal Arts for Women, which opened its doors in September, 1933. (Sometimes referred to as simply, "The College for Women.")

The College had its own administration, but courses were taught by the University's existing liberal arts departments, although in separate women only classes. During the Second World War, the decline in enrollment by men led to some liberal arts classes becoming integrated - a process that gradually continued into the 1950s. Alumni began expressing interest in a continuing education program in 1961, and after an initial experimental program it became a permanent part of the College in 1965. Following the commencement of May of 1970, the College of Liberal Arts for Women had graduated a total of 7,178 women.

By the early 1970s, many colleges and universities across the United States were transitioning to a coeducation model and Penn was no exception. A proposal to merge the College of Liberal Arts for Women with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences was adopted by the Trustees in 1974, over the objections of a significant portion of the College's faculty, administration, and alumni, who feared that the special needs and interests of women would no longer be served. This merger took effect in 1975.

The College of Liberal Arts for Women records document the history of the College's administration, primarily through the records of the Office of the Dean. While much of the material concerns the immediate oversight of the College, it also covers its relationship to the University at large. Of particular interest are materials that cover the history of the College, as well as letters, reports, and statements concerning the College's merger into the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 1975.

This collection is organized into seven series, two of which are closed for research.

Series I: Faculty minutes

This series contains meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and related correspondence. It is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Ad Hoc Committee on the Nomination of a Dean

This series contains meeting minutes, agendas, reports, candidate bios, and related correspondence concerning the search for a new Dean in 1959. It is arranged alphabetically.

Series III: Office of the Dean

This series contains meeting minutes, agendas, reports, correspondence, program information, a history of the college, statistics, surveys, and other materials. It is arranged alphabetically.

Series IV: Advisory Board to the Dean of Women

The Dean of the College served on the Advisory Board to the Dean of Women. For additional information on the Dean of Women, see the Related Materials note. This series contains meeting minutes, agendas, reports, and related correspondence. It is arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Office of Continuing Education for Women

This series contains meeting minutes, agendas, reports, program information, surveys, and related correspondence. It is arranged alphabetically.

Series VI. Student records

[Closed for research until 2050]

Series VII. Registration forms

[Closed for research until 2055]

The College of Liberal Arts for Women records are arranged into seven series.

Series I: Faculty minutes

Series II: Ad Hoc Committee on the Nomination of a Dean

Series III: Office of the Dean

Series IV: Advisory Board to the Dean of Women

Series V: Office of Continuing Education for Women

Series VI. Student records [Closed for research until 2050]

Series VII. Registration forms [Closed for research until 2055]

The Faculty minutes (UPB 3.1) were transferred in two accessions in 1960 and 1978 by Dean R. Jean Brownlee and Dean Karl G. Miller respectively.

The Office of the Dean records (UPB 3.2) were transferred in three accessions in 1972, 1978, and 1980 by Dr. Leonidas Dodson and Dean R. Jean Brownlee respectively.

The Advisory Board of the Dean of Women records (UPB 3.3) were transferred in 1980 by Dean R. Jean Brownlee.

The Continuing Education for Women records (UPB 3.6) were transferred in 1979 by that office.

This finding aid combines four previous stub inventories:

Faculty minutes (UPB 3.1) Office of the Dean records (UPB 3.2) Advisory Board of the Dean of Women records (UPB 3.3) The Continuing Education for Women records (UPB 3.6)

University of Pennsylvania. Office of the Dean of Women records (1914-1968) UPE 7, University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center

Organization
Subject

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Finding Aid Author
Kenneth Cleary
Finding Aid Date
March 6, 2026
Access Restrictions

Access to collections is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for official university records is held by the University of Pennsylvania; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Collection Inventory

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Minutes, October 17, 1933 - May 20, 1941 - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1933-1941.
Box 1 Folder 1
Minutes, October 21, 1941 - October 10, 1951 - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1941-1951.
Box 1 Folder 2
Minutes, October 23, 1968 - April 21, 1971 - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1968-1971.
Box 1 Folder 3
Minutes, December 8, 1971 - April 24, 1974 - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1971-1974.
Box 1 Folder 4

Ad Hoc Committee on the Nomination of a Dean - minutes, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 5
Candidates [for Dean], 1959.
Box 1 Folder 6
Cobbs, Susan P. - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 7
Dean's report to the President - report and correspondence, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 8
Dolan, Eleanor Francis - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 9
"Extra reports" - correspondence, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 10
Faculty - suggestions for College of Women faculty, undated.
Box 1 Folder 11
Goddard, Kathryn - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 12
Hook, Lucyle - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 13
Hopwood, Kathryn Louise - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 14
Hottel, Althea K. - [previous Dean] biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 15
"Materials for Committee" - candidate biographical information, contact lists, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 16
"Materials for Committee" - candidate biographical information, contact lists, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 17
Newstead, Helaine - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 18
Oppenheimer, Jane Marion - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 19
Rauschenbush, Esther - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 20
"Selected correspondence" of the Dean, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 21
"Selection of Dean" - questionnaires, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 22
Statement of College Committee on Qualifications of Dean, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 23
Tuve, Rosamund - candidate biographical information, undated.
Box 1 Folder 24

Ad Hoc Committee on Hill Hall - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1954-1956.
Box 1 Folder 25
Alumnae Committee of the University of Pennsylvania on Educational Programs for Women, Final Report to the Provost, 1952.
Box 1 Folder 26
Clelland Committee, scholarships and budget - reports, 1970.
Box 1 Folder 27
College for Women Education Survey - report, 1957.
Box 1 Folder 28
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1964-1966.
Box 1 Folder 29
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1967-1969.
Box 1 Folder 30
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1970.
Box 1 Folder 31
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1970-1971.
Box 1 Folder 32
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1970-1971.
Box 1 Folder 33
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1971.
Box 1 Folder 34
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1972.
Box 1 Folder 35
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1972.
Box 2 Folder 1
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1973.
Box 2 Folder 2
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1973.
Box 2 Folder 3
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1974.
Box 2 Folder 4
Committee of Undergraduate Deans - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1974-1975.
Box 2 Folder 5
Committee on Instruction - correspondence, reports, 1950-1960.
Box 2 Folder 6
Committee on Instruction - minutes, 1952-1956.
Box 2 Folder 7
Committee on Instruction - minutes, 1956-1957.
Box 2 Folder 8
Committee on Instruction - minutes, 1958-1960.
Box 2 Folder 9
Committee on the Intermural Clubs Physical Education Programs, 1969-1970.
Box 2 Folder 10
Committee on the Intermural Clubs Physical Education Programs, 1969-1970.
Box 2 Folder 11
Committee on the Status of Women - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1970-1971.
Box 2 Folder 12
Committee on the Status of Women - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1970-1971.
Box 2 Folder 13
Committee to Propose a Distinctive Name for the College of Liberal Arts for Women - correspondence, 1961.
Box 2 Folder 14
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1971.
Box 2 Folder 15
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1971.
Box 2 Folder 16
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1972.
Box 2 Folder 17
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1973.
Box 2 Folder 18
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1974.
Box 2 Folder 19
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1975.
Box 2 Folder 20
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1975.
Box 3 Folder 1
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1976.
Box 3 Folder 2
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1976.
Box 3 Folder 3
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1976.
Box 3 Folder 4
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1977.
Box 3 Folder 5
Council of Academic Deans - correspondence, minutes, reports, 1977.
Box 3 Folder 6
Council on Undergraduate Education - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1974.
Box 3 Folder 7
Council on Undergraduate Education - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1974-1975.
Box 3 Folder 8
Criteria for A.B. (Price Committee) - re: criteria for Bachelor's Degrees, 1957.
Box 3 Folder 9
Criticism of the Recommendations Concerning the College of Women, 1958.
Box 3 Folder 10
Data for the Middle States Association - report, 1952.
Box 3 Folder 11
Education program for women - report by Alumnae Committee, 1952.
Box 3 Folder 12
Educational Programs for Women in College, 1950-1952, 1946-1952.
Box 3 Folder 13
Formation of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 1970-1973 - reports, memoranda, correspondence, newsletters, 1970-1974.
Box 3 Folder 14
Graduate School Alumni Society - correspondence, newsletters, 1950-1977.
Box 3 Folder 15
Hazard, Patrick D. - work report and syllabus, 1958.
Box 3 Folder 16
History of College of Women, 1948-1974 - reports, correspondence, 1959-1974.
Box 3 Folder 17
History of College of Women, 1948-1974 - reports, correspondence, 1959-1974.
Box 3 Folder 18
History of College of Women, 1948-1974 - reports, correspondence, 1959-1974.
Box 3 Folder 19
History of College of Women, 1948-1974 - reports, correspondence, 1959-1974.
Box 3 Folder 20
Houston Hall renovations - correspondence, reports, 1968-1971.
Box 3 Folder 21
Houston Hall renovations - correspondence, reports, 1968-1971.
Box 4 Folder 1
Living-Learning Centers - report, presentations, 1975 October 24-26.
Box 4 Folder 2
Mundheim report - re: Commission on Open Expression and Demonstration on Campus, 1968-1969.
Box 4 Folder 3
Organization of the College of Women - report and research notes, 1958-1959.
Box 4 Folder 4
Student Committee on Undergraduate Education - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1966-1976.
Box 4 Folder 5
Student Committee on Undergraduate Education - minutes, correspondence, reports, 1966-1976.
Box 4 Folder 6
Survey report on student personnel, 1958-1959.
Box 4 Folder 7
Task Force on University Governance - correspondence and reports, 1970-1971.
Box 4 Folder 8
Women at Pennsylvania: history of with extracts from Trustees' minutes, 1878-1922 - notes, correspondence, reports, 1878-1940.
Box 4 Folder 9
Women faculty statistics - reports, correspondence, 1946-1971.
Box 4 Folder 10

Correspondence, 1968-1970.
Box 4 Folder 11
Correspondence, 1972-1973.
Box 4 Folder 12
Correspondence and reports, 1959-1960.
Box 4 Folder 13
Correspondence and reports, 1959-1960.
Box 4 Folder 14
Correspondence and reports, 1964-1966.
Box 4 Folder 15
Correspondence and reports, 1968-1972.
Box 4 Folder 16
Correspondence and reports, 1971-1978.
Box 4 Folder 17
Membership lists, 1958-1974.
Box 4 Folder 18
Minutes, January 24, 1967, 1967.
Box 4 Folder 19
Minutes, June 10, 1975, 1975.
Box 4 Folder 20
Minutes, February 3, 1976, 1976.
Box 4 Folder 21
Rules of procedure, 1965.
Box 4 Folder 22
Statement to Provost - re: merger of College of Women and Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 1974.
Box 4 Folder 23

Admissions - correspondence, reports, 1968-1975.
Box 4 Folder 24
Annual reports, 1967-1975.
Box 4 Folder 25
Budget information - proposals, reports, correspondence, 1964-1969.
Box 5 Folder 1
Budget information - reports, correspondence, 1973-1975.
Box 5 Folder 2
Carnegie Corporation - correspondence, proposals, reports, 1962-1970.
Box 5 Folder 3
Cohn Committee - re: status of women, bias at Penn, 1968-1971.
Box 5 Folder 4
Cohn Committee - re: status of women, bias at Penn, 1970-1971.
Box 5 Folder 5
Correspondence - re: inception of continuing education program, 1961-1964.
Box 5 Folder 6
Historical material - reports, correspondence, 1962-1964.
Box 5 Folder 7
Inquiries - re: single letter on program statistics, 1975.
Box 5 Folder 8
Partially Affiliated Subcommittee of Committee on Status of Women - questionnaire and reports, 1970-1971.
Box 5 Folder 9
Program information - reports, correspondence, 1962-1975.
Box 5 Folder 10
Program information - speech transcripts, reports, correspondence, 1972-1974.
Box 5 Folder 11
Questionnaire returns, 1964.
Box 5 Folder 12
VI. Student records [Closed for research until 2050].
VII. Registration forms [Closed for research until 2055].

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