The function of the Office of the Dean at Washington Square College was largely to develop curricula that will enable students to later use their knowledge in teaching, law, medicine, further education, or other types of employment. The Deans office was created at New York University as at other colleges to act as a liaison between administration and students. The dean's challenge is to maintain a collegiate atmosphere in a world of increasing scholarship and specialization. From 1947 to 1962, Thomas Clark Pollock served as Dean. William Earl Buckler succeeded Pollock and remained in office until 1969. That same year, Richard Bayly Winder became Dean of Washington Square College and presided until 1971. Phillip Mayerson, who had been Vice Dean of Washington Square College from 1969 to 1971, served as Acting Dean from 1971 to 1973. In 1973 he became Dean of Washington Square and University College and served until 1978. Under Deans Buckler and Winder, the Deans office focused on helping Washington Square College live up to its potential as an undergraduate college in a large and complex university located in an equally large and complex city. Under Dean Mayerson, the office broadened its outlook. Mayerson added fundraising as a major goal in addition to attracting and holding students. He saw NYU in competition with other schools for the enrollment of students, and thus did everything in his power to bring larger numbers into Washington Square College. To this end he concentrated on personalizing the admissions process, helping students to interact more with faculty, cutting red tape in dealing with problems of individual students, and instigating a closer relationship between his office and the Director of Admissions. All of these initiatives are well documented in this collection.
From the description of Records of the Office of the Dean of Washington Square College and Washington Square and University College of Arts and Science, 1951-1980. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476095058
