I. Overview
Title: Records of the School of Arts and Sciences
Dates: 1954-
Creator: Barry University. School of Arts and Sciences
Location: 07/ 1-4a
Extent: 6 boxes (3 linear ft.)
Language: English
II. Historical note
The College of Arts and Sciences through its programs and orientation dates back to the very origins of the University. In 1940, when Barry College was opened, the institution was organized into Divisions of Religion and Philosophy, Language and Literature, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Fine and Applied Arts. Majors offered in B.A. included Art, English, French, Latin, Spanish, History, Sociology, and Music and majors in B.S. included Biology, Chemistry, Education, Home Economics, and Mathematics. Students wishing to earn a B.A. degree needed 12 semester credits in Latin or 6 semester credit in a classical language and 12 hours in a modern foreign language. B.S. degree seekers needed 12 semester hours in Latin, French or German.
The first head of the art department was Sister Joannes O'Connor, O.P., and her 'studio' was a room in the present Adrian Hall. Music courses, likewise, were taught in Adrian Hall and were under the sole supervision of Sister Denise Mainville, O.P. The theatre department, originally called Speech and Drama, was directed by Sister Trinita Flood from 1946 to 1953, with all productions being presented on the stage area of Stella Matutina dormitory (now Weber). With the construction of the auditorium and fine arts complex in 1955, the art, music, and theatre departments had state-of-the-art facilities, the number of majors increased, and the programs expanded considerably.
By 1974 the College was divided into separate schools and graduate programs were incorporated into the School of Arts and Sciences. The Fine arts and Social Sciences were reorganized under a divisional structure. After that new majors have been added, new masters degrees have been developed, and new faculty has been appointed.
III. The Collection
The collection includes general and historic information about the Department, and administrative, academic and faculty records.
The reports from each department of the School of Arts and Sciences are valuable sources of information about the status of the department in particular years. Before 1991, reports were brief summaries of the year, usually listing objectives and describing whether or not these were met. Strengths and weaknesses were sometimes included. In 1991 and following, quite detailed reports contain goals and objectives for the year.
The Curriculum and Policy Committee was made up of the chairs of all departments in the School of Arts and Sciences, under the leadership of the Dean of the school. Meetings were usually held monthly and chaired by the Dean. Among the most important topics considered by this committee were the core curriculum, faculty evaluations, admissions policies, adoption of new courses, and transfer students.
IV. Container list:
Series I: General Files
Box Title
1 History of School
Dept. Goals and objectives, 1988-89
Events, 1991-
RISE / MARC
Miscellaneous
Series II: Administrative Files
1 Academic standing of students: Honors, Dean’s List, 1954-1989
1 Annual Reports1974-1991
2-3 Annual reports, 1992-1994
4 Barry-Biscayne Consortium, 1974-1981
Curriculum and Policy Committee: minutes, 1972-1993
Distribution Requirements Committee, 1988-1989
Evaluation Committee: minutes, 1989-90
Grade Council Minutes, 1973-1986
Memoranda, 1975-83, 1988
Pre-Law Committee, 1989-90
Reports for Accreditation, 1980-81
[Theatre] Broad Center Proposal, 1988-89 (2 files)
Top Ten Committee: Minutes, 1989-1991
Series III: Academic Files
4 Family and Consumer Service Dept., 1971
Grade distribution, 1975-1990 (3 files)
Grade Analysis, 1985-1987
Series IV: Faculty Files
4 Faculty manual, 1994-95
Faculty Meetings, 1975-79, 1986, 1988
Faculty Workload, 1981-1991
V. Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: Transfer, n.d.
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research, some restrictions may apply
Processed by: Sr. Arnold Benedetto, 2009. Revised by Ximena Valdivia, 2012
Preferred Citation: Records of the School of Arts and Sciences, Barry University Archives and Special Collections, Miami Shores, Florida
