Brigham Young University. University Council

The University Council was organized in 1906 as an administrative body for the various schools, colleges and departments associated with the University. The President of the University likewise served as president of this council throughout its existence. The council ceased to function during the 1920-1921 school year but was reorganized, restructured by the University President only the next year, though with this change, the importance of the council diminished. In this form, the council continued to operate until 1960 when it was disbanded. The men who served as the council's head included: George H. Brimhall (1906-1920), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-49), Christen Jensen (acting President) (1950) and Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1960).

Variant names

The Council of the University

Description

Established: 1906

Abolished: 1960

Location: Provo, Utah (1906-1960)

Functions

When it was first organized, the University Council served as an administrative body which helped develop the policies of the various schools and colleges associated with Brigham Young University, plan building projects, and occasionally oversee disciplinary action taken against students. Following its 1921 restructure, the University Council advised the University President on upgrading the University's curriculum but spent most of its time screening prospective graduates. From the 1940's on, this council acted as the legislative body of the faculty over internal policies and procedures, but its focus continued to be setting the requirements for graduation and screening prospective graduates.

Assets and Administrative Structure

At its organization in 1906, the University Council consisted of the University President, the dean of the college, the secretary of the faculty, the librarian, the registrar, as well as the principles of the various schools associated with the university. As the university developed, department heads, the matron, the custodian, and purchasing agent were added to the council's members. In 1909 the entire Presidency of the University was absorbed into the council and acted as its head. The council was restructured in 1921 to include the University President and all members of the faculty with the rank of professor, associate professor or assistant professor. In the 1950's the council's authority was only subordinate to the direction of the Board of Trustees. In 1952, the council's was likewise made subject to the University President as well as the Deans' Council.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Presidency of the University (1906-1920)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Board of Trustees (1950-1960)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Deans' Council (1952-1960)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Administrative Council (1960)

Associated Archival Materials

Meeting Minutes, 1876-1951 (UA 5)

Sources

Brigham Young University: The First Hundred Years, 1975: v. 2 p. 114-115 (did not operate in 1920-1921 school year; function during Harris' administration)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1906-1907: p. 7 (members of the University Council; George H. Brimhall as president)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1909-1910: p. 5 (Presidency of the University absorbed by the University Council)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1919-1920: p. 4 (members of the University Council)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1921-1922: p. 5 (University President (Franklin S. Harris), professors, associate professors, and assistant professors included in the council)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1945-1946: p. 7 (Howard S. McDonald as President)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1950-1951: p. 8 (Christen Jensen as Acting President), 10-11 (the legislative body of the faculty; subject to the Board of Trustees; function)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1951-1952: p. 8 (Ernest L. Wilkinson as President)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1952-1953: p. 15 (subject to the President of the University and the Deans' Council)

Meeting Minutes, 1876-1951 (UA 5, Box 2 Fol 9 and Boxes 3-4) (function of the University Council)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00148

Creator: JDM