Guide to the Brown University Special Events department files, circa 1973-2001

John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Brown University Special Events Department files
Date range:	circa 1973-2001
Creator:	Brown University.
Extent:	16.25 Linear feet
Abstract:	The Brown University Special Events Department files pertain to campus events that took place from 1973 through 2001 and include presidential inaugurations, campus center openings, lecture series, commencements (1994-1996), and the Providence Journal/Brown University Public Affairs Conference. The collection contains correspondence, financial documents, lists of speakers, speeches, schedules, programs, seating arrangements, menus, videos and photographs.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number:	OF-1ZSE-1

Scope & content

Brown University Special Events Department files is arranged in seven series:

Series I, Inaugurations and openings (1973-1998) includes documents from the Howard Swearer, Vartan Gregorian, and E. Gordon Gee inaugurations; these papers include budgets, planning documents, festivities, invitations. Also included are files for the Institute for International Studies speakers, such as J. William Fulbright, Linda Wertheimer, and Cyrus Vance. The series also contains material on the opening of the Swearer Center for Public Service, the Pizzitola Athletic Center and several other campus centers.

Series II, Commencements (1994-1996) includes documents concerning event planning and rentals, student orations and guest lectures, ceremonies and programs, transportation and housing.

Series III, President's Lecture Series (circa 1992-2001) includes files for lecturers such as Norman Mailer, William Burroughs, Joan Didion, Wilma Mankiller, Oliver Sacks, and Ken Burns.

Series IV Ogden Lectures (circa 1987-1997) includes files for lecturers such as Richard Holbrooke, Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson, Brian Mulroney, plus correspondence and planning documents.

Series V, Bill Slack Correspondences (1991-1997) includes the correspondence of Brown's Director of Special Events.

Series VI, Summer College (1986-1997).

Series VII, Providence Journal/Brown University Public Affairs Conference (1988-2006) includes transcripts of such conferences as Sport--Is It Only a Game? (2000); The Dignity of Children (2001); and A Time of Great Consequence: America and the World (2003).

Access Points

Subject Names

• Slack, William J.
• Gregorian, Vartan
• Swearer, Howard R., (Howard Robert), 1932-1991

Subject Organizations

• Brown University. Institute for International Studies.
• Thomas J. Watson, Jr. Institute for International Studies. (Brown University)

Subject Organizations

• Brown University--Commencement.

Subject Topics

• Universities and colleges--Administration
• Commencement ceremonies

Occupations

• Speakers
• College presidents

Document Types

• Videocassettes
• Speeches
• Transcripts
• Financial records
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Photographs
• Programs
• Administrative records

Subject Topics

• Education

Arrangement

The collection is organized in seven series:

• I. Inaugurations and openings, 1973-1998
• II. Commencements, 1994-1996
• III. President's Lecture Series, circa 1992-2001
• IV. Ogden Lectures, circa 1987-1997
• V. Bill Slack Correspondences, 1991-1997
• VI. Summer College, 1986-1997
• VII. Providence Journal/Brown University Public Affairs Conference, 1988-2006

Historical note

William J. Slack was the Director of Special Events at Brown University from the early 1980's into the early 2000's.

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:	Brown University Special Events Department Records, OF-1ZSE-1, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library , Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Brown University Library staff
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013 January 28
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory

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