Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Office of the Provost

Collection

Identifier: 100-107

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

As the central office for all academic matters, the Provost's Office receives an abundance of materials from many different offices. The Provost is involved in numerous committees and receives reports from others. Important committee reports in this collection include the Curriculum Committee and the Council of Deans. As one of the chief officers of the university, the Provost is involved with discussions of strategic importance to the University. Evidence of this is found in the Budget and Personnel series. Series' that contains items produced by this office include Annual Reports, Correspondence, Memos and Newsletters.

Dates

1970-2001

Conditions Governing Access

Available to researchers for use in the university archive.

Conditions Governing Use

All copyrights are held by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Biographical or Historical Information

In the early years, the role of Chief Academic Officer was the responsibility of the Principal. This responsibility was possibly given to the Vice-Principal, a position created about 1918. William Gregory Siddell was the first person to occupy that position. Following him as Vice-Principal in 1919 was Clarence C. Crawford. Crawford remained in this office until 1921 when he was given the title Dean of Instruction and the Vice-Principal title was dropped. Crawford held this position until he was promoted to Principal in 1923.

F.S. Heinaman then replaced him as the Dean of Instruction. In 1929, Heinaman gave up his administrative duties but remained at Edinboro teaching mathematics.

His replacement as Dean of Instruction was Elmer C. Stilling. Stilling remained in that office until 1936 when William A. Wheatley, who had been teaching in the Education Department, was named Acting Dean of Instruction and Men's Counselor. In 1937, Wheatley's title was altered to Registrar and Dean of Instruction. There is a brief vacancy in this position as the 1939 catalog lists the position as open. In 1940 Herman L. Offner, formerly the Director of Teacher Training, is listed as the Dean of Instruction and Director of Summer Session. Offner held this position for nearly twenty years. After his retirement from Edinboro, he became a Representative of the United States Office of Education. Offner was succeeded by Harry Earlley in 1959. Earlley held this position until 1966 when he had to step in as Acting President because of the untimely death of President Thomas Miller. Tragically, Earlley also suffered a heart attack at the Erie airport just two months after assuming that office. James McKinley followed Earlley as Dean of Academic Affairs. In 1970 the position received a title change to Vice-President for Academic Affairs. In 1974, John Fisher temporarily took over the responsibilities of the position as Interim Vice-President for Academic Affairs. McKinley resumed the title and position by 1975. By 1982, McKinley was using the title Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Burton Witthuhn assumed the office by 1985. His tenure was comparatively short as John Fleischauer appears in 1988 as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. His time in office lasted until 1996 when Robert Weber entered the office at first as an Interim, then as a permanent Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Following Weber in 2005, was the first female provost, Pearl Bartelt. She held the office until 2010 when Philip Ginnetti was hired. He died in 2012 while in office. An interim, Michael Hannan, has stepped in to replace him. In February of 2014, he was hired as the permanent provost. Chief Academic Officers (dates taken from college catalogues and may vary + or - 1 year) William Gregory Siddell- 1918 Clarence C. Crawford - 1919-23 F.S. Heinan - 1923-29 Elmer C. Stilling - 1929-36 William A. Wheatley - 1936-39 Herman L. Offner - 1940-59 Harry Earlley - 1959-66 James McKenley - 1966-85 Burton Witthuhn - 1985-88 John Fleischauer - 1988-96 Robert Weber - 1996-2005 Pearl Bartelt - 2005-2010 Philip Ginnetti - 2010- 2012 Michael Hannan (interium) 2012- 2013 became permanent 2014Note written by Dave Obringer

Extent

179.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Provost is the Chief Academic Officer of the school. All academic programs and academic deans report to him. Papers in this record group reflect the activity and administration of these programs.

Arrangement

Annual Reports Budget Committees Academic Advisory Council Academic Development Committee Commencement/Celebration of Excellence Council of Deans, Minutes Curriculum Committee Correspondence Council of Trustees Curriculum Faculty Memos Newsletters Pennsylvania Department of Education Personnel/Human Resources Faculty Qualifications Retrenchment Programs/Departments Student Concerns State System of Higher Education, SSHE Subject Files Union Affairs University Senate

Source of Acquisition

Office of the Provost

Method of Acquisition

Direct transfer for recent material.

Appraisal Information

Policy C061 requires that the Provost Office be the official repository for: Accreditation records - retain permanently Human subject records - retain 3 years or contract period Records kept by the University Archives: Self-studies- send copy upon completion Report of accreditation organization - send copy upon receit Minutes of meetings presided over by the provost - send after 5 years Files related to departments - send after 5 years All annual reports produced by this office - send as produced Reports written at behest of this office - send after 5 years