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University of Arkansas Associated Student Government Records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MC 338

Scope and Content Note

Collection consists of correspondence, legislation, meeting minutes, reports, and general materials.

Dates

  • 1955-1978

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

Restrictions Apply: All materials in Box 11 are restricted and not available for research use.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Historical Note

The first pivotal steps toward student government were led by James E. Rutherford, who was a senior in the 1921-22 academic year. Along with fellow students Clyde F. Gay and Ray E. Williams, Rutherford gained support from President John Clinton Futrall to establish the Associated Students. In October 1921, President Futrall announced that a plan for student government would be drawn up and appointed English professor J. C. Jordan to be the leading faculty member for the organization. On May 29, 1922, a meeting was held where approximately 250 students voted, and the Constitution of Associated Students was accepted, establishing the first student government on campus. The first president of the Associated Students was Edwin D. Parrish, who began his term of office in September of 1922. While establishing a student government was a big step at the time, the constitution and the powers of the Associated Students were very mild. Several old and rigorous disciplinary standards were changed (a main complaint of students calling for student government), but the majority of the power given to the Associated Students was over freshmen hazing. The constitution put down certain hazing traditions as “law,” such as forbidding freshman to walk on the Senior Walk and requiring freshmen to wear green caps either until Thanksgiving or Christmas. Any form of harsh or violent hazing was banned. In April of 1948, the student government was revitalized. A new constitution was drawn up and approved by both student vote and the University Senate. This constitution fully established the student government at the University of Arkansas and declared that the student government would be comprised of three branches: judicial, executive, and legislative. In May of 1948, the first annual elections under the new constitution were held, ushering in a new era for the student government.

From its earliest days, Associated Student Government (ASG) has been led by students who went on to be influential and accomplish important things. Notable ASG presidents have included J. William Fulbright (1923-1924), U of A president and founder of the Fulbright Program; George Cole (1927-1928), head football coach at U of A and inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame; Sidney S. McMath (1935-1936), thirty-fourth Governor of Arkansas; Jimmie Lee Howell (1936-1937), star football player and head coach for New York Giants; Harold Lloyd (1942-1943), who died in battle in WWII and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; Ray Thornton (1955-1956), U of A president from 1984-1990; B. Alan Sugg (1959-1960), U of A president from 1990-2011; Ralph Brodie (1962-1963), Co-Author of “Central in Our Lives” which details what it was like to be a high school student at Central High during the Little Rock Nine event; David M. “Mac” Glover (1965-1966), who was appointed to be a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals; and Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty III (1967-1968), who was the White House Chief of Staff for US President Bill Clinton.

The bulk of this collection spans from 1971-1978. The ASG presidents represented in this collection include. Gary McDondald (1971-1972), Gene McKissic (1972-1973), Rick Campbell (1973-74), Jerry Lawson (1974-75), Liz McAthany (1975-1976), and Ed Lynch (1976-1977).

During this time period, the ASG worked to gain a more positive image and to become better respected by the campus community. The organization wanted a new image, not as a high school council but as a service organization, aiding the student population. ASG tried to move from project orientation to legislative issues. Programs like Gaebale were handed over to the Arkansas Union for management. In the 1971-1972 academic year, ASG established five departments: Administrative Affairs, Academic Affairs, Consumer Affairs, Public Relations, and Student Affairs. Another way ASG hoped to achieve a better image was by fostering relationships with other governing bodies. ASG became more involved with Faculty Senate and Senate Council and worked to establish a better relationship with the Board of Trustees. ASG also worked to create a coalition for University System Student Governments where the student governments of the undergraduate campuses in UA system met regularly.

Some important legislation was passed during this time period. In the 1971-1972 academic year, the Women’s Equalization Package proposed to change rules that only applied to women students. Also, concern was expressed for the lack of minority faculty and staff, and ASG provided funding for the Committee on Minority Recruitment. In 1972-1973, ASG opposed the arming of Campus Security officers and supported the establishment of a student owned radio station. KUAF was started in 1973. Also, a senate bill was passed, which called for the removal of University regulations that restricted the rights of students. This bill was known outside of ASG as the Alcohol Policy. In 1975-76, the Grade Renewal Policy pushed for only the last attempt of a course to count toward a student’s cumulative GPA and graduation credits. In addition, ASG helped established an Academic Appeal Structure as a means for students to protest grades they felt were unfair. Other issues dealt with in the 1970s include parking, improved lighting in parking lots, TVs in the infirmary, the Textbook Loan Fund, and student insurance.

Extent

13.5 Linear Feet (11 boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by topic in the following order: Official Materials; Amendments, Bills and Resolutions; Committees, Boards and Councils; Financial Materials; Meeting Minutes; Subject Files.

Acquisition Information

The University of Arkansas Associated Student Government Records were donated to Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries on May 16, 1979 through Associated Student Government President, Rick Reeves.

Processing Information

Processed by Amy Allen and Janelle Pacheco in July 2014.

Title
University of Arkansas Associated Student Government Records
Status
Completed
Author
Amy Allen and Janelle Pacheco
Date
2014
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444