Guide to the Merton P. Stoltz files as provost of Brown University, 1959-1978

John Hay Library , University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI, 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2020

Collection Overview

Title:	Merton P. Stoltz files as provost of Brown University
Date range:	1959-1978
Creator:	Stoltz, Merton
Extent:	45 linear feet
Abstract:	Merton Philip Stoltz (1913-1989) held many positions during his tenure at Brown University: Professor of Economics, associate dean of the Graduate School, dean of the University, provost, and acting president. The materials in this collection primarily relate to his work as provost. It include office files, correspondence, and committee files dated from 1959 to 1978. It includes materials from various campus offices, speeches, projects, and committees regarding the comprehensive involvement of a Provost at the University. It includes significant materials related to the student exchange program and relationship between Tougaloo College, an historically black college in Tougaloo, Mississippi, and Brown University.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library , University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	OF-1CA-S2

Scope & content

The papers are arranged into 19 series:

Series 1. Outgoing Correspondence (1965-1977) : this series includes a chronological arrangement of mostly professional and collegial correspondence.

Series 2. Files for 1963-1965 academic years (1959-1971) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into four sub-series: general, foundations, committees, and academic departments.

Series 3. Files for 1965-1966 academic year (1960-1967) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into three sub-series: committees, general, and academic departments.

Series 4. Files for 1966-1967 academic year (1965-1968) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into three sub-series: committees, general, and academic departments.

Series 5. Files for 1967-1968 academic year (1964-1968) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into three sub-series: committees, general, and academic departments.

Series 6. Files for 1968-1969 academic year (1967-1969) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into three sub-series: committees, general, and academic departments.

Series 7. Files for 1969-1970 academic year (1969-1970) : this series includes numerous files concerning committees at Brown University, including committees on community relations, curricular philosophy, student strikes, and Tougaloo College.

Series 8. Files for 1970-1971 academic year (1970-1971) : this series includes numerous files, arranged mostly alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: committees and academic departments.

Series 9. Files for 1971-1972 academic year (1971-1972) : this series includes numerous files, arranged mostly alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: committees and academic departments.

Series 10. Files for 1972-1973 academic year (1972-1973) : this series includes numerous files, arranged mostly alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: committees and academic departments.

Series 11. Files for 1973-1974 academic year (1973-1974) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: general and academic departments.

Series 12. Files for 1974-1975 academic year (1974-1975) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: general and academic departments.

Series 13. Files for 1975-1976 academic year (1975-1976) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: general and academic departments.

Series 14. Files for 1976-1977 academic year (1976-1977) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: general and academic departments.

Series 15. Files for 1977-1978 academic year (1977-1978) : this series includes numerous files, arranged alphabetically, from Stoltz’s responsibilities in the University. The series is divided into two sub-series: general and academic departments.

Series 16. Historical Files (1968-1973) : this short series includes documents concerning budget request forms, black student enrollment, and other planning committees.

Series 17. Committees (1973-1978) : this series includes files from several discussing policy at Brown, including an academic policy, calendar, library, and promotion committees. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series 18. Internal Committees (1977-1978) : this series contains documents concerning administrative committees. Included are documents from investment committees, faculty meetings, audit committees, and documents directly about Merton Stoltz. The series is mostly arranged chronologically.

Series 19. Grants (1964-1977) : this series contains documents and files concerning several grant applications and programs. Most documents are applications for grants for the construction of university buildings, including the Sciences Library, Pembroke Dorms, Art Building, and Geo-Math Complex.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Brown University
• Tougaloo College

Subject Topics

• Brown University--Faculty
• Brown University

Arrangement

This collection is divided into 19 series and further subseries. Most series are arranged either chronologically or alphabetically.

• Series 1. Outgoing Correspondence
• Series 2. Files for 1963-1965 academic years
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Foundations
  • Subseries C. Committees
  • Subseries D. Academic Departments
• Series 3. Files for 1965-1966 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. General
  • Subseries C. Academic Departments
• Series 4. Files for 1966-1967 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. General
  • Subseries C. Academics Departments
• Series 5. Files for 1967-1968 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. General
  • Subseries C. Academic Departments
• Series 6. Files for 1968-1969 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. General
  • Subseries C. Academic Departments
• Series 7. Files for 1969-1970 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
• Series 8. Files for 1970-1971 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 9. Files for 1971-1972 academic year
  • Subseries A. Committees
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 10. Files for 1972-1973 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 11. Files for 1973-1974 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 12. Files for 1974-1975 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 13. Files for 1975-1976 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 14. Files for 1976-1977 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 15. Files for 1977-1978 academic year
  • Subseries A. General
  • Subseries B. Academic Departments
• Series 16. Historical Files
• Series 17. Committees
• Series 18. Internal Committees
• Series 19. Grants

Biographical/Historical Note

Merton Philip Stoltz (1913-1989), provost and acting president of Brown University, was born in Glidden, Wisconsin, on March 28, 1913. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1934 and earned a master’s degree at Brown in 1936. After earning his Ph.D. at Minnesota in 1941, he returned to Brown as assistant professor of economics. He was named full professor in 1950. He was chairman of the Department of Economics from 1956 to 1964, associate dean of the Graduate School from 1960 to 1964, and dean of the University from 1964 to 1966. As dean he was actively involved in proposals to the Ford Foundation and in the beginnings of the medical education program. One of the first acts of President Heffner on his arrival was to appoint Stoltz provost of the University, a post which had been vacant since June of 1965. In announcing the appointment Heffner said of his choice, “His integrity, his vision, his sensitivity to Brown traditions, and his demonstrated capacity for leadership make him ideally qualified for the position of principal academic office of this great University.” He was three times acting president of Brown, serving in 1969-70 between the presidencies of Heffner and Hornig, in the summer of 1972 while President Hornig recovered from a heart attack, and in 1976 between the presidencies of Hornig and Swearer. He retired in 1978. As an economist Stoltz was chosen to head the Special Providence Committee on Municipal Revenue in 1957 and served on the Rhode Island Fiscal Study Commission in 1961. Tougaloo College awarded him an honorary LL.D. degree in 1977, and at Brown’s Commencement that year he received a standing ovation on the announcement by President Swearer of the establishment of the Merton P. Stoltz Professorship. Brown awarded him an honorary LL.D. degree in 1978. He died on August 7, 1989 in Providence.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Merton Stoltz Files, OF-1CA-S2, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library , University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI, 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Karen Eberhart and Daniela Carney
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the RIAMCO EAD spreadsheet, 2020 February 05
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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