W.W. Charters Manual Log scrapbook

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: RITArc-0590

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dr. W. W. Charters was an educational consultant to the Institute for many years. He assisted the administration with directing the future of the the Institute. The Manual Log album was given to Dr. Charters by a group of secretaries, presumably at the time of his departure. It appears to be a collaborative effort between most of the academic departments at the time.

The front and back covers are made of black construction paper. The cover is handpainted iwith large white capital lettering "MANUAL," and small letters in green, yellow, red and blue spelling out "CHARTERETTES." Inside the 12 x 16 inch pages contain handmade inserts, one says "Normandy Inn, May 18, 1939, Charterettes Celebration." Photographs include one with Mark Ellingson, Dr. Charters, Pres. Randall, two unidentifed men and a secretary sitting at a table in 1932. Another page has portraits of the members of the Electrical Department, one of students printing, and an Evening School mini photo manual.

Pages include submissions from the Photography Technology department, Home Economics, Food Administration, Evening School, Electrical, Comptroller's Division, Chemistry, Social Sciences, Retailing, and the Art School. Poems, drawings and photographs provide a tongue-in-cheek, playful tribute to a man who proved to be a strong partner and friend of the Institute.

Dates

Creation: May 18, 1939

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

In 1925, RAMI Presdient Randall invited Dexter S. Kimball, Frederick P. Keppel, and Channing R. Dooley to form a commission to study the future path of the Institute, including the possibility that the school might have no future at all. Although the commission determined that RAMI could serve an important role in the education community, it noted that important changes were needed, emphasizing the need for a clear educational policy.

Taking the recommendations of the commission, Randall approached Dr. Werrett Wallace (W.W.) Charters about serving as an educational consultant to RAMI. At the time, Charters (1875-1952) was working as the Director of the Bureau of Educational Research at The Ohio State University. He was known for his work in curriculum development, particularly his use of a scientific approach to develop programs focused on life activities and functions rather than subject material. Starting in 1928, Charters served as a continuing consultant to the Institute.

After an initial assessment of RAMI, Charters recommended that the school revise its entire curriculum. He explained that course content needed to be based on the job requirements of the positions that students were training for. A curriculum planning committee was to be formed and faculty members were to be trained on the "techniques of investigation" necessary to accomplish this undertaking. RAMI's Policy Committee accepted Charter's recommendation and work began September 1928. Charters continued to serve as a consultant to the school until his death in 1952.

Extent

1.16 Linear Feet (14 x 17" folder (oversize))

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Manual log scrapbook presented to Dr. W.W. Charters at a celebration dinner with secretaries, May 18, 1939 as a farewell tribute. This handmade scrapbook-like album contains poems, photographs and drawings from different departments at the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute. (RAMI)