1. When was KSU founded?
The founding of Kent State University was a gradual progression encompassing several years; there is no evidence of an official charter. On May 19, 1910, Ohio Governor Judson Harmon approved the Lowry Bill, denoting that Kent, Ohio become the home of a normal school (i.e., a two-year school for training elementary teachers). Classes for Kent State Normal School began in 1913. In 1915, due to the expansion of curriculum and the addition of four-year degrees, the Board changed the school's name to Kent State Normal College. In 1935, with proposed new schools of business administration and graduate programs, the State of Ohio House and Senate approved a bill that renamed Kent State Normal College to Kent State University.
2. Who have been KSU's presidents?
Raymond M. Clark (Acting President, 1943-1944); (b.1891-d.?)
Many of the Presidential Papers are stored at an off-site facility. Special Collections requires at least 24 hours notice for retrieval.
3. Why are there black squirrels on campus?
In February 1961, ten rare black squirrels (also known as London Black Squirrels, from London, Ontario) were imported from Canada by Larry Woodell, superintendent of grounds, and M.W. Staples, a retired executive of the Davey Tree Expert Company, and the squirrels have occupied the campus ever since. In addition to Kent, black squirrel sightings have been reported throughout northeast Ohio and other parts of the state.
4. What is the history of the KSU mascot(s)?
A general timeframe is as follows:
Silver Foxes - Named because President McGilvrey (1911-1926) raised them.
Golden Flashes - Name submitted in a contest in 1926 by a KSU student. Winner received $25.00 prize. Subsequently perpetuated by Oliver Wolcott of the Kent Courier Tribune.
Flasher - In 1951, a golden retriever was adopted as team mascot.
Grog - In 1966, the cartoon character was recreated in paper hair and plaster. Remained on the scene until 1971.
Golden Flasher - A golden palimino horse and masked rider in blue and gold, 1972 and 1973 seasons.
Golden Flash - A masked figure with lightening bolts in each hand, 1973-1975.
Flash - Our present mascot, a giant furry golden eagle. In 2003, Flash became a National Cheerleading Association All-American.
5. What are the lyrics to the alma mater? Who wrote it and when?
E. Turner Stump wrote the lyrics, with music by Dwight Steere. The alma mater was first published in the Kent songbook in 1931.
Verse 1
From the beauty land Ohio comes a universal praise,
'Tis the song of Alma Mater that her sons and daughters raise.
'Tis a Hail to Kent forever, on the Cuyahoga shore,
Now we join the loving thousands as they sing it o'er and o'er.
Hail to Thee, our Alma Mater.
O, how beautiful Thou art,
High enthroned upon the hilltop,
Reigning over every heart.Verse 2
From the hilltop Alma Mater gazing on her portals wide,
Sees the coming generations as they throng to seek her side,
Seek her side to win her blessing, throng her gates to bear her name,
Leave her gates to sing her praises go afar to spread her fame.
Hail to Thee, our Alma Mater.
O, how young and strong thou art,
Planning for the glorious future,
Firm enthroned in every heart.
6. What are the lyrics to the KSU Fight Song? Who wrote it and when?
The words and music were by Edmund Siennicki in 1946.
Fight on for KSU! Fight for the Blue and Gold!
We're out to beat the foe; fight on brave and bold!
Fight on for victory, don't stop until we're through
We're all together, let's go forward,
KSU!
7. What is the history of Robert I. Smithson's Partially Buried Woodshed located on the Kent campus?
In 1970, artist Robert I. Smithson created the Partially Buried Woodshed at the corner of Summit Street and Rhodes Road. Considered a pioneer of the "earth-art movement," Smithson used a bulldozer to pile a heap of dirt against an abandoned woodshed and formed what would become one of Kent State's most recognizable and controversial pieces of art, valued anywhere from $10,000 by Smithson himself to $40,000 by the KSU School of Art to $250,000 according to a gallery in New York. An unidentified arsonist burned part of the shed in 1975, and in 1984 the structure was removed permanently from campus.
More information is available in the Smithson Inventory.
8. What were the circumstances leading to the Black United Students' (BUS) walkout in 1968?
In November 1968, approximately 250 African-American students left KSU campus for several days in response to the presence of recruiters from the Oakland (CA.) Police Department. Despite the Oakland P. D.'s reputation for violence against African-Americans and civil rights abuses, they were granted permission to recruit on campus because, the administration argued, to forbid them to do so would violate the university's policy of academic freedom. BUS and SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) disagreed, and a sit-in, a walk-out, a teach-in, and a boycott followed. According to A Book of Memories: Kent State University 1910-1992, the walkout was a catalyst for founding the Department of Pan-African Studies in May 1969.
Please see the May 4 FAQ.
1. How do I find information about campus buildings?
Special Collections and Archives has basic subject files on campus buildings and an extensive collection of building photographs.
You can also find information on campus buildings at the Architecture Library located in Taylor Hall. Additionally, the Architecture Library has created a webpage that includes basic data about campus buildings.
2. Do you have any blueprints?
Special Collections and Archives does not have blueprints for most buildings on campus. Floor plans for many buildings are available at the Architecture Library. Also, the University Architect may have blueprints on file for some buildings.
1. Where can I find campus maps from different time periods?
Selected campus maps are available online at http://www.library.kent.edu/campus_maps.
Actual maps may be found in the Department of Special Collections and Archives and the Map Library.
1. Do you carry diplomas of former KSU students?
Special Collections keeps only a few sample diplomas. If a student loses a diploma and would like a replacement, please contact the Office of the University Registrar. Proof of identification is required.
2. How may I request a copy of my student transcript?
Special Collections and Archives does not house student transcripts. They are administered by the Office of the University Registrar. Please see the University Registrar on requesting transcripts for more information on how to obtain a copy of your student record.
1. Do you have statistics on KSU enrollment?
Enrollment Statistics are available in Special Collections and Archives beginning with the year 1971. Additionally, there is scattered enrollment data from 1912 to 1970 available here. For the most recent enrollment data, see the KSU Fact Book, updated annually.
1. How do I locate information on faculty or staff salaries at KSU?
First, determine the employee type for which salary information is requested: Classified; Unclassified; or Faculty.
If Classified (Civil Service): Pay grades are available online through HR Services Civil Service Pay Grade Information. This site allows you to sort the list by pay grade or job title. When you click on job title, you will see a position description. When you click on pay grade, you will see an hourly and annual pay range for that grade.
If Unclassified (Administrative/Professional): Pay grades are available online through HR Services Administrative and Professional Pay Grade Information. Increases in upper-level administrators' salaries (e.g. University President, VPs, and Deans) from the most recent year may be found in the AAUP online newsletter.
If Faculty (of any type): The only source of faculty salaries (in particular a specific individual's salary) accessible to the public are the Board of Trustees Minutes, published after each Board Meeting approximately five or six times per year. These are available for use in Special Collections and Archives. We can help users navigate the minutes as it can be difficult to locate the specific salary needed.
1. Do you have information on the history of sports at KSU or specific athletic programs at the University?
Special Collections and Archives has a wealth of information on the history of sports and athletics programs at KSU. The Sports Information Collection contains records of various KSU sports programs, individual athlete files, and records on athletics personnel. Special Collections also has back issues of the Daily Kent Stater as well as yearbooks dating back to KSU's inception that include sports information.
2. What about the implementation of Title IX at Kent State?
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 forbids sex discrimination in schools, applying particularly to academics and athletics. Title IX states: No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid.
Special Collections has limited materials regarding Title IX. However, the 1975 Chestnut Burr yearbook, available in Special Collections, features a fairly comprehensive article (pp. 188-193) devoted to Title IX's impact on women's sports.
1. I'm looking for a KSU dissertation, thesis, or SLIS research paper.
KSU theses and dissertations are available in both the main library collection (circulating copy) and in Special Collections and Archives (non-circulating copy). Library and Information Science research papers are also available in Special Collections and Archives. Please see our Theses and Dissertations FAQ for more details.
1. How did KSU acquire the Babar Collection?
The Babar Collection was bequeathed to Kent State by John L. Boonshaft in 1992 and arrived following his death in 1997. For more details, see the Boonshaft Babar Collection Inventory.
Please see the Saalfield Collection FAQ.
1. What kinds of materials do you have in the "true crime" genre?
The Borowitz Collection contains over 10,000 books and other materials on a variety of topics pertaining to true crime and the history of crime. The Leo Damore Papers also offer holdings on the subject.
2. Do you have any detective or crime magazines?
Special Collections holds a few periodicals in the detective/crime genre. Please search KentLINK for listings. If you are having trouble locating or recollecting the name of a crime magazine or a particular article, the Patterson Smith Antiquarian Bookseller and Publisher is a valuable resource.
1. I am searching for vital records about an ancestor. Do you assist with genealogical research?
We have Chestnut Burr yearbooks, catalogs and other university records that may contain information about KSU alumni.
The University of Akron Archival Services holds vital records for Summit, Portage, Stark, Tuscarawas, Coshocton, Holmes, Wayne, Ashland, and Richland counties. The Western Reserve Historical Society holds vital records for Lorain, Medina, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties. Records for Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, and Harrison counties are held by the Youngstown Historical Center.
Additionally, Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet is a web index that contains vital records and other useful genealogical materials. This site also includes records information for counties in Ohio.
For
more information on Ohio vital records, see the Ohio Historical Society's Network
Of American History Research Centers page.
1. I have a book that I believe may be valuable. How do I find an appraiser who can determine its value?
We in Special Collections and Archives do not provide appraisals. Appraisals require expertise in the subject matter covered in the book and knowledge of the fair market value of books. The American Society of Appraisers offers an online appraisal referral service through which you can search for qualified appraisers in your area. Most appraisers do charge for their services.
Also, some antiquarian/out-of-print book dealers offer appraisal services. In northeast Ohio, the Northern Ohio Bibliophilic Society produces a directory of member/dealers, some of whom offer appraisal services. Additionally, you may wish to search the directory of members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America in which you can search for dealers by specialization and geographic location. (Click on the "Our Booksellers" link at the top.)
2. How can I preserve a book that I own so that it is not damaged?
You can find general preservation information for books online at Conservation Online. Their Frequently Asked Questions page offers answers to common questions about preservation of books and other materials. For information on having an item professionally conserved, consult Conservation Online's "How to find a conservator" section.
1. Where are you located?
Special Collections and Archives is located on the 12th floor of Libraries and Media Services on the Kent campus. There is Visitor Parking off Summit Street a short walking distance from the Library. Directions to the campus are also available online.
2. Do I need to make an appointment to visit Special Collections?
Public service hours are Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m.; it is not necessary to make an appointment during that time. Requests for weekday morning public service may be considered if an appointment is made at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact Department Head Cara Gilgenbach at 330-672-1677 or Special Collections Librarian Craig Simpson at 330-672-1675. See also our full usage policy for additional information on accessing materials in Special Collections.
3. Where can an out-of-town researcher stay?
For researchers seeking local accommodations, the KSU Alumni Association has compiled a list of hotels in the town of Kent and the general area. Please contact establishments in advance to ensure availability.
4. Why do I have to fill out a form to use materials in Special Collections?
Registration forms are used for department statistics and to keep track of Special Collections materials, which do not circulate. Patrons must register annually with the department.
5. Why can't I check out materials in Special Collections?
Due to the fragile, unique, or rare nature of materials in our collection, they must be used in the reading room and cannot be checked out. In many cases, replacement of damaged or lost materials would be difficult, if not impossible.
6. What are "cubic feet"?
For our purposes, a cubic foot refers to a record storage box measuring approximately 10" x 12" x 16". We include this information in our inventories in order to give researchers an idea of the size of a collection. For example, a collection containing "250 cubic feet" will be comprised of approximately 250 boxes of documents, photographs, audio recordings, or other materials.
7. What is the difference between Special Collections and Archives?
A "special collection" may contain rare or unique materials, have scholarly value for a particular user group, and often come from donors not directly affiliated with the university. A search of Collections by Subject will show an extensive list of our Special Collections. University Archives have records which, while also possibly rare, unique or of special interest, are a product of the institution itself. Sometimes these terms overlap: the May 4 Collection, for example, includes archival records as well as materials from outside KSU.
8. How is it determined that a book should be in Special Collections?
There are several reasons why a book would be in Special Collections. It may have come directly from a donor; it may fit within a genre or a field of study that is of scholarly interest to the department or the university; it may be an early, rare or unique edition of the text; or the item may be too fragile to exist in the library's circulating collection. There are over 95,000 books in Special Collections catalogued in KentLINK; often a bibliographic record of a book in the catalog will provide background information, such as the edition or origin (i.e., "provenance").
Unlike most books within KSU Libraries and Media Services (LMS), those in Special Collections do not circulate (the status field on the record will read "LIB USE ONLY") and may be viewed only in the Reading Room on the 12th floor of the main library. If you are interested in checking out a particular text, please search KentLINK to see if there is a circulating copy in LMS (the status field will read "AVAILABLE"). Circulating books also may be requested through OhioLINK.
Last updated: 05/09/07 (css)