San José State College Presidential Office Administration Division

Organizational History

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes, Minns' Normal school is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

The Office of Administration traces its roots to the Minns' Evening Normal School. The growth and transition from the Normal School to a university system requires a complex administrative system to manage the university. The President of the University plays a primary role overseeing all of the administrative functions, in concert with academic vice presidents and the academic senate. From 1921 through 1964 SJSU presidents were the sole decision makers regarding administrative functions. However, changes began in President Wahlquist's (1952-1964) tenure when he permitted the Faculty Council (later the Academic Senate) to be formed in 1952. During President Clark's (1964-1969) tenure the practice of shared governance came into effect, with the president of the university sharing administrative powers with the university faculty. In order to address student protests related to Civil Rights issues, President Clark (1964-1969) also established the position of Ombudsman to improve communication between the administration and student body; San José State University was the first CSU campus to appoint an Ombudsman.

From the guide to the San José State College Presidential Office Administrative Records, 1899-1970, 1950-1970, (San José State University. Library.)