Brigham Young University. Deans' Council

The Deans' Council was created in October 1921, shortly after President Franklin S. Harris took charge of the University. The council was created to assess requests for student loans. Over time the importance, influence and responsibilities of the council grew, until the 1940's when the council was used to help resolve problems and questions with University policy and procedure.

Variant names

Council of Deans

The President's Cabinet

Description

Established: 1921

Location: Provo, Utah (1921-)

Functions

When the Deans' Council was first organized in October 1921, its only assigned duties were to handle student loans and to take the place of the president in his absence. The council quickly assumed responsibility for planning commencement ceremonies as well. Over time the Deans' Council became more involved in various administrative decisions such as scheduling the calendar and determining University policy. By the 1940's, the Deans' Council helped resolve nearly all problems or questions concerning University policy and procedure, a role it continued to occupy until the 1970's when the Deans' Council's influence in policy making waned. During this time, the council had no final administrative authority but rather served in an advisory role to the President. From 1951 to 1971, the Deans' Council maintained a list of LDS scholars throughout the United States.

Assets and Administrative Structure

When first formed in 1921, the Deans' Council consisted of the University President, as well as the deans of all the existent colleges, the directors of all existing divisions and the principal of the Secondary Training School. The council was set up to include all deans and directors within the University. By the 1940's the Treasurer and the Registrar were included as well. In 1955 the short lived Presidency was added to the council with the Administrative Council taking its place in 1959.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (?
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Associated unit: Brigham Young University. University Council (1921-1960)

Associated Archival Materials

Meeting Minutes, 1876-1951 (UA 5 Box 3 Fol 12, Box 4 Fols 13, 14)

Robert K. Thomas Administrative Council records, 1966-1974 (UA 914, Box 10 Fol 15)

Eliot Butler Collection, 1973-1989 (UA 677 Box 1 Fol 18-20, Box 2 Fol 1-2, Box 11 Fol 15-17, Box 12 Fol 1-5, 7)

BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications Records, 1938-1994 (UA 1056 Box 25 fol 8 Box 26 fol 1)

BYU Academic Vice President Records, 1968-2000 (UA 1233 Box 46 Fol 5 – Box 48 Fol 1)

Sources

Brigham Young University: The First Hundred Years, 1975: v. 2 p. 564 (did not possess final administrative authority; function c.1950's – 1960's), p. 653 (compiled list of LDS scholars), v. 4 p. 51 (less active in University policy following 1971)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1922-1923: p. 24-25 (supervision of Loan Funds)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1941-1942: p. 7 (University President, all deans and directors members of the Deans' Council)

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

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1955-1956: p. 40 (Presidency added to the Deans' Council)

Brigham Young University Annual School Catalog, 1959-1960: p. 7 (Administrative Council added to the Deans' Council)

Meeting Minutes, 1876-1951 (UA 5 Box 3 Fol 12 – Box 4) (creation date; original function; original members; involvement in commencement ceremonies; assumption of additional duties; known as the President's Cabinet; the Treasurer and Registrar added to the council; function c.1940's)

Robert K. Thomas Administrative Council records, 1966-1974 (UA 914 Box 10, Folder 15) (function c.1960's)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00151

Creator: JDM