General Faculty meetings have been held since the beginning of Rice Institute. Their nature, however, has changed as the University grew in size and complexity. Originally, the entire Faculty, headed by the President of the Institute made all the academic and policy decisions. With a growing number of Faculty members this was no longer feasible and committees were formed to meet the changing needs of the University. Input from the general Faculty was directed to these committees and the committees, in turn, reported their findings to the general Faculty. Decision making also was channeled through committees, earlier through the Executive committee, and more recently through the University Council. The committee, rather than the individual Faculty member, now serves as the advisory body to the President.
The Faculty Meetings record group contains minutes, agenda, and exhibits supporting the minutes (i.e. committee reports, etc.) from 1913 - 1993. In some time periods these files also include correspondence related to faculty meetings, drafts of minutes, faculty notices, committee lists, etc. The files are arranged chronologically and a folder exists for each faculty meeting containing at least the minutes of that meeting and often supporting material. There are occasionally subject folders interfiled chronologically where the bulk of material warrants such a file.
This material is available for research by approval of the Head of Special Collections.
Permission to publish from the Rice University Faculty meeting minutes records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
Rice University Faculty meeting minute records, 1914-1993, Rice University Archives, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
These records were transferred to the Woodson Research Center from the Secretary of the Faculty. Date(s) received: 1974; 1977; 1978; 1982; 1983; 11/92.