New York University. Office of the Vice President and Secretary.

The Office of Vice President and Secretary was first created as the Office of the Secretary of the University in 1925. The Secretary was appointed by the Council, upon recommendation of the Chancellor, and served as the general executive assistant to the Chancellor. The Office of Secretary became central to the administration of New York University. The primary function of the Secretary was to assist the Chancellor in the discharge of his duties. The responsibilities delineated in 1925 included: conducting correspondence with individuals and institutions relating to the University at large; coordinating the work of secretaries of the several schools and divisions; preparing and maintaining minutes, documentary materials, records, and conducting correspondence of the Council and its committees. The Secretary affixed the University seal, issued diplomas, certificates and maintained records of these. He maintained personnel records of the faculty, published the University bibliography, supervised the publication of annual reports, and performed other administrative duties assigned by the Chancellor. The responsibilities of the Secretary increased in volume as the University grew and diversified. In recognition of the importance of the Secretary, the administrative title of the office was changed on July 1, 1945 to Vice Chancellor and Secretary in accordance with the duties assigned to the office by Chancellor Harry Woodburn Chase and the University Council. The title was changed again in 1955 to Vice President and Secretary as a result of a general administrative reorganization. Over time the office supervised a wide array of functions including the administration of: Clerk of the Council/Trustees; Secretary of the Senate; Public Ceremonies; Annual; Commence; Bureau of Public Information; Student Services; Housing; Student Activities Office; University Publicity and Advertising Accreditation Regulation; University Directory; Annual Bibliography; Faculty Handbook, Public Occasions Hall of Fame; University Medal; Seal; Charter Oaths of Allegiance; Scholarship Resources; New York University Press; ROTC and the New York University Art Collection. Part of the collection deals with New York University and its activities during the Korean conflict. When the Korean conflict began, colleges and universitites around the country joined forces to protect themselves, their students, and their faculty from being overwhelmed by the military effort. universitites wanted limitations and guidelines to be set whereby students and faculty could be deferred from service when it was shown that they would better serve their country by remaining in the field of education. On March 31, 1951 a student deferment policy was finally formally put into effect. Universities were also able to request deferments for faculty members. Harold Oliver Vooorhis (1896-1985) served as the fist Secretary of New York University, under the leadership of five presidents, Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1911-1933), Harry Woodburn Chase (1933-51), James Loomis Madden (acting Chancellor from 1951-1952), Henry Townley Heald (1952-1956), Carroll Vincent Newsom (1956-1962), and James McNaughton Hester (1962-1975). Voorhis also taught economics at NYU during this time period.

From the description of Vice President and Secretary administrative records, 1925-1965. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 476231546

Harold Oliver Voorhis (1896-1985) served as the first Secretary of New York University (NYU). Born on July 29, 1896, in Kokomo, Indiana, Voorhis received his B.S. from Colgate University in 1919. In 1920 he studied at Columbia University Law School and in 1922 earned an M.A. in Economics from New York University. In 1945 he was awarded an honorary LL.D. from Colgate University.

From 1914 to 1915 Voorhis worked as a surveyor's assistant in Saskatchewan, Canada. From 1916 to 1919 he served as the secretary to the President of Colgate University, and he also served as secretary to the Chautauqua Institution in 1919. In 1920 Voorhis moved to New York City and took a position as secretary to the Vice President of the National Bank of Commerce. Voorhis began his administrative career at New York University as executive secretary to Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown. Voorhis also taught economics at NYU during this time period.

During Voorhis' tenure the Secretary served as the Chancellor's principal assistant. Voorhis served in six administrations: Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1911-1933), Harry Woodburn Chase (1933-51), James Loomis Madden (acting Chancellor from 1951-1952), Henry Townley Heald (1952-1956), Carroll Vincent Newsom (1956-1962), and James McNaughton Hester (1962-1975).

The University grew tremendously during this time period, and the scope of responsibilities of the office of the Secretary reflected this growth. In 1945 Voorhis became the Vice Chancellor and Secretary under Chancellor Harry Woodburn Chase. In 1955 he was named Vice President and Secretary during Henry T. Heald's presidency. Over time the office supervised a wide array of functions, including serving as Clerk of the Council/Trustees and Secretary of the Senate. The office also handled the planning of public ceremonies, including commencement, and oversaw various other offices, including the Bureau of Public Information, the Student Activities Office, the New York University Press, ROTC, and the New York University Art Collection.

Voorhis retired in 1962 after 42 years of service to New York University.

Sources:

The Office of Vice President and Secretary at New York University (NYU) was first created as the Office of the Secretary of the University in 1925. The Secretary was appointed by the Council, upon recommendation of the Chancellor, and served as the general executive assistant to the Chancellor. The Office of Secretary became central to the administration of the University.

The primary function of the Secretary was to assist the Chancellor in the discharge of his duties. The responsibilities delineated in 1925 included: conducting correspondence with individuals and institutions relating to the University at large; coordinating the work of secretaries of the several schools and divisions; preparing and maintaining minutes, documentary materials, records, and conducting correspondence of the Council and its committees. The Secretary affixed the University seal and maintained records of diplomas and certificates issued by the University. He maintained personnel records of the faculty, published the University bibliography, supervised the publication of annual reports, and performed other administrative duties assigned by the Chancellor.

The responsibilities of the Secretary increased in volume as the University grew. In recognition of the importance of the Secretary, the administrative title of the office was changed on July 1, 1945, to Vice Chancellor and Secretary in accordance with the duties assigned to the office by Chancellor Harry Woodburn Chase and the University Council. The title was changed again in 1955 to Vice President and Secretary as a result of a general administrative reorganization under President Henry T. Heald. Several assistants to the Secretary were hired in 1956.

From the guide to the Records of the Office of the Vice President and Secretary (Harold O. Voorhis), 1925-1965, (New York University Archives)