A Guide to the University of Connecticut, Waterbury Campus Records

Archives and Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries

Summary Information

Repository:
Archives and Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries
Creator:
University of Connecticut
Title:
A Guide to the University of Connecticut, Waterbury Campus Records
ID:
2010.0121
Date [inclusive]:
undated, 1946-2003.
Physical Description:
7.4 Linear Feet
Physical Description:
7.4 linear feet.
Language of the Material:
English
Abstract:
Administrative records, awards, clippings, ephemera, notes, and publications about the programs, activities and history of the Waterbury Regional Campus of the University of Connecticut since its establishment in 1946.

Preferred Citation

[Item description, #:#], University of Connecticut, Waterbury Campus Records. Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries.

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Biography

In 1942, the University of Connecticut was invited to Waterbury at the request of a group of citizens, headed by the Waterbury YMCA. Named the Waterbury Extension Center, it offered primarily certificate-granting technical courses taught at the YMCA for 253 students comprised mostly of returning veterans looking for an affordable and easily accessible means of earning and education. Gradually, as the demand for courses grew, and enrollment increased, certain facilities at Leavenworth High School were used. Each semester about a dozen undergraduate courses were offered and a sizeable non-credit program was added. Four years later in the fall of 1946, the local Advisory Committee, working with the local Board of Education, secured the Begnal School on Charles Street to address the growing need for space created by the increased demands for higher education. Acute shortages of books and supplies after the War made it difficult for the early students and many who attended took courses without the advantage of a textbook. In addition to the facilities on Charles Street, the Central YMCA allocated some space in their building for evening classes. The enrollment during this period increased to 662 students in the fall of 1947 and the establishment of an accredited, full time undergraduate program, at the newly designated Waterbury Branch of the University of Connecticut. Students were able to take the comprehensive Freshman and Sophomore programs in Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Engineering as well as Continuing Education for adults. Classes continued to be held at the Begnal School until 1955. At that time, due in large part to local citizen groups, the City of Waterbury and the State of Connecticut, a new four-acre campus at 32 Hillside Avenue was provided. At first, classes and administration were housed together in the Benedict-Miller House at the center of the property.

As the need for more space continued to strain the existing facilities, more buildings were added to the site, including a sixteen room classroom building, a library, as well as a building housing the science and engineering curriculum, bookstore and cafeteria. In 1971, a garrison colonial on Buckingham Street was purchased and became the new home of the campus administration.

In August 2003, the Waterbury campus moved to a new 95,000 square foot downtown campus. The U shaped, three story building at the intersection of East Main Street and Phoenix Avenue was designed to serve more than 1,200 students, faculty and staff, replacing the collection of buildings and houses that has served the Waterbury campus for decades. The new facility was dedicated on October 9, 2003.

Additional information about the campus and its programs is available on its website.

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Scope and Content

The collection contains administrative records, awards, clippings, ephemera, notes, and publications about the programs, activities and history of the Waterbury campus since its establishment in 1946. A considerable quantity of publications specific to the campus have been added to the periodical holdings in the collection rather than being maintained separately in the collection.

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Arrangement

Series I: Inventory (undated, 1946-2003)

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Administrative Information

Publication Statement

Archives and Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries

University of Connecticut Libraries405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1205archives@uconn.eduURL: http://doddcenter.uconn.edu/asc/

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Acquisition Information

The materials were transferred to the University Archives by the campus library staff who had maintained the collection for many years.

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Controlled Access Headings

  • Minutes (administrative records)
  • Administrative records
  • Photocopies
  • Fliers [printed matter]
  • Newspapers
  • Notes
  • Photographs
  • Histories
  • Correspondence
  • Waterbury (Conn.)
  • Maps (documents)
  • Publications
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Connecticut

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Collection Inventory

Series I: Inventory,, undated, 1946-2003

Title/DescriptionInstances
unspecified
box 1
Percy Marks Creative Writing Award plaques (3),, undated
box not specified
Scrapbook,, 1946-1990 February
box not specified
unspecified
box 2
Scrapbook,, 1990 February - 1997
box not specified
Clippings, announcements,, 2000-2003
box not specified
Admissions documents,, undated
box not specified
Waterbury Downtown Campus, Program documents,, 2000
box not specified
University administrative records (Waterbury copies),, 1980-1989
box not specified
Media guide: Fifty Years after Nuremberg,, 1995
box not specified
Thomas Commission Report,, 1988
box not specified
Library records,, 1947-1980s
box not specified
unspecified
box 3
Library records,, 1947-1980s
box not specified
Clippings, programs, brochures, publications, undated
box not specified
University Senate minutes,, 1998-2000
box not specified
Anniversaries (25th, 40th),, undated, 1971-1986

General note

Administrative records, Clippings, Photographs, Publications.

box 4
Hillside campus history, Mansion, Hart House, City of Waterbury,, undated, 1952-1996
box 5, 7
Campus association information,, 1966-2003
box 6
Associated Student Government minutes,, 1949-1969
box 8
Associated Student Government minutes,, 1969-1981
box 9
Associated Student Government newsletters and documents,, undated, 1976-1983
box 10

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