Task Force on the 80s records

Collection — Folder: 1-4

Identifier: RITArc-0037

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Task Force on the 80s records contain documents from the group from 1977-1979. The correspondence in the collection is split into external correspondence and internal memoranda. Both series contain documents dealing with the activities of the task force and plans for the future. Additionally, the correspondence series includes letters to and from other universities, inviting representatives to participate in the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) case study.

The collection also includes meeting minutes and agendas, as well as miscellaneous planning documents. Copies of committee reports, preliminary findings, and the final report are located in a separate series at the end of the collection.

Dates

Creation: 1977-1979

Creator

Rochester Institute of Technology. Task Force on the 80s (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

The Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Task Force on the 80s was initiated in September 1977 by Paul A. Miller, president of the university. A team was formed with the primary task of drafting a plan for "RIT's response to the environment of the 80s." RIT had grown rapidly over the previous few years, a fact that was attributed to its unique approach to higher education. The university administration surveyed 250 members of the RIT community to determine the two most important issues facing the Institute as it moved into the next decade. From these results, two topics of study were selected: the nature and scope of the Institute's academic program and the quality of student life at RIT.

The Academic Programs Issue Team was led by Barbara Hodik and Joseph Lippert and the Quality of Student Life Issue Team was led by Thomas Plough and Joanne Subtelny. Rather than participate in the typical self-study procedure required by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools' reaccreditation process, RIT decided to use each topic as a case study. Starting January 5, 1978, a two-day workshop was held to help develop the two issues. The following three areas were selected for each topic: Academic Programs

The nature of General Education in a technical/professional institution

The enhancement of professional experiences between academic areas

The process of academic program development and review

Extent

4 Folder(s)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Documents from the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Task Force on the 80s. The group was created in 1977 as part of RIT's reaccreditation process. The collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes, agendas, committee reports, and miscellaneous planning documents.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five series: Correspondence, Memoranda, Minutes and agenda, Miscellaneous planning documents, and Reports. Within each series, materials are arranged chronologically when possible. All items are housed in a single box, with each series being in a separate folder.