Mauck, Joseph W. papers

Collection

Identifier: Temp-USD-007

Staff Only

Content Description

The largest series in the Mauck Collection is the Correspondence series. This series contains letters written by individuals requesting a catalog of courses or seeking admission into the university. There is also correspondence that revolve around the daily routine of the campus, particularly with various companies that deal with accounts and supplies for the campus. Some of the correspondence is addressed to members of the Board of Regents regarding financial issues for the university. General correspondence is contained in folders by alphabetical order. Incoming and outgoing correspondence for a person with more than 2 letters are contained in one folder; these are listed directly after “General” files".

The Typescript series contains Board of Regents resolutions, university policies, committee reports, and student events.

The Faculty Minutes series contains the minutes for university faculty meetings; these meetings were convened by the President’s Office during this period. These are found in Box 3.

The Miscellaneous series contains ephemera such as newspaper clippings, certificates, letter fragments, and a bound invoices book.

Dates

Creation: 1891 - 1898
Creation: Majority of material found within 1894 - 1898

Creator

University of South Dakota (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research without restriction. Researchers are advised to contact the Archives and Special Collections prior to visiting. Advance notice may be needed to retrieve items for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers must obtain a signed Permission to Publish Form if they wish to reproduce, broadcast, or otherwise disseminate information from published and unpublished works held by ASC. Permission to reproduce, broadcast, or otherwise disseminate information materials from ASC does not constitute permission from the holder of copyright or literary rights. The researcher is responsible for securing permission from the copyright holder to publish or reproduce content from materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

Mauck assumed the presidency at the University of South Dakota in 1891. His arrival came at dubious time due to sudden death of President Edward Olsen (1887-1889), and the dissention by students and faculty over President Howard Grose’s administration (1890-1891). Mauck’s term proved to be a stabilizing and optimistic force for the university. President Mauck’s six years at USD represented a period when South Dakota high schools were developing better standards and curriculums for admission to institutions of higher education. Only a small number of students were prepared to enter the freshman class, and to compound matters, the legislature was providing limited financial support to the university. The number of courses at USD increased but with an undermanned faculty. Mauck never faltered under these discouraging factors, not the least of which was the burning of University Hall (Old Main) in 1893. The rebuilding of Old Main began during Mauck’s administration. Mauck resigned in 1898 to pursue business opportunities.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (3 document boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains materials primarily related to the work of Joseph W. Mauck during his time as president of the University of South Dakota.

Arrangement

The Joseph W. Mauck Collection is composed of four series: Correspondence, Typescripts, Faculty Minutes, and Miscellaneous. Due to the 1893 fire in University Hall (Old Main), there are very few records and materials for Mauck’s presidency prior to 1894.