Douglass College. Office of the Dean.

The years 1965-1981 encompass and important period in the college's history, a period that helped to direct the school to it's present identity. It was a time of transition; Rutgers College changed from an all-male unit into a coeducational unit, there were student protests over civil rights and the Vietnam War, and a major reorganization of Rutgers University that transformed Douglass College from an academic college to a residence college. Even the basic functions of the Office of the Dean of Douglass College were altered, reflecting what amounted to a redefinition and restructuring of the college's relationship with Rutgers University. The dean's that oversaw the changes that occurred were Margery Somers Foster, Paula P. Brownlee, and Jewel Plummer Cobb.

Margery Somers Foster was dean from 1968-1975. She was born in Boston in 1914. She graduated from Wellesley College and earned her Ph. D. at Radcliffe. Before assuming her position at Douglass, she had been Dean of Hollins College. Her tenure at Douglass College spanned seven years, after which she remained at Rutgers University as an Economics professor. Dean Foster's scholarly research focused on the economic history of colonial America. She had been a lecturer at the Harvard School of Business Administration and her particular interests included public education and the special role of women's colleges.

Dean Foster was a forceful proponent for a federate college system for the various colleges and schools that composed Rutgers University. She was also a strong advocate for the maintenance of an independent Douglass College. Agreeing with her predecessors, Dean Foster believed that autonomy was essential if the school was to carry out its "special mission," the education of women. Throughout her tenure she struggled to protect Douglass College's historic autonomy. During the period of reorganization she defended the college against what she considered unwarranted usurpation of its independence and sought to prevent the diminution of the authority of the Dean's Office. Her continued opposition to centralization led to her resignation in 1975.

Jewel Plummer Cobb was dean from 1975-1981, she assumed her position a year after Foster's resignation, during which time Paula P. Brownlee had been Acting Dean. Cobb was born in Chicago in 1924. After graduating from Talladega College in Alabama, she received her M.A. and Ph. D. from New York University. Considered an eminent cell biologist and cancer researcher, she authored over 30 publications, served on numerous civic, corporate and educational boards, and received many honorary degrees. Prior to becoming Dean of Douglass College, Cobb had served as the Dean of Connecticut College, where she also taught zoology.

Dean Cobb professed a general concern for the education of women and a special interest in the development of minority women. It would appear that she was under no illusions about the new role of Douglass College's Dean. The Dean's Office, having lost the battle for autonomy adjusted its concerns toward the retention of Douglass College's "special mission," within the University. Cobb promised to preserve the school's identity as a women's college situated within the framework of the Federated College Plan. Dean Cobb worked throughout her deanship to make the school's mission more inclusive. She left Douglass College in 1981 to become the President of California State University at Fullerton.

From the description of Records : group II, 1965-1981. (Rutgers University). WorldCat record id: 187862084