Graduate Theological Union

Religious leaders from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA participated in a press conference held at the Pacific School of Religion to issue three statements urging restraint in the President George W. Bush administration's possible use of force, or going to war, against Iraq. The participants were William McKinney, President of the Pacific School of Religion, Keith Russell, President of the American Baptist Seminary of the West, James Donahue, President of the Graduate Theological Union, Professor Rosemary Radford Ruether, and Assistant Professor Jerome Baggett.

From the description of Graduate Theological Union press conference, October 17, 2002, responding to the congressional vote authorizing the use of U.S. force against Iraq. (Graduate Theological Union). WorldCat record id: 52524593

The Graduate Theological Union and the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies sponsored a community forum in the Dinner Board Room, GTU Library, Berkeley, CA on March 8, 2004 to discuss the theatrically released film. GTU Dean Arthur Holder and CJS Director Naomi Seidman co-hosted the panel. Panel members were David Biale, Margaret Miles, and Michael Morris.

From the description of Mel Gibson's The passion of the Christ: A Jewish-Christian conversation. (Graduate Theological Union). WorldCat record id: 55088355

Louis I. Kahn was contracted by the Graduate Theological Union to design a common library. After his sudden death in 1974, two San Francisco firms associated to complete Kahn's initial design, Esherick, Homsey, Dodge, and Davis, and Peters, Clayberg, and Caulfield. Due to funding and permit issues, the four level structure was built in two phases. Phase I, the basement and Level 1, began construction in 1979 and was completed in 1981. Phase II, Levels 2, completing the library, and 3, housing the GTU administrative offices, began construction in 1985 and was completed in 1987.

From the description of Graduate Theological Union Common Library Architectural Plans, Phase I, 1975-81, and Phase II, 1981-87. (Graduate Theological Union). WorldCat record id: 50319155

Historical Note

The student strike of May 1970 was a "unified action by the Graduate Theological Union against United States involvement in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The most recent escalation of the war and the response of students and other groups across the nation, including the shooting of students in Kent, Ohio, were catalysts for actions by groups within the GTU." Through the course of the strike, several committees (church contacts, military action, political action, etc.) were set up to address various issues such as protests against the war, draft resistance, product boycotts, racism, farm workers, and church renewal. Out of this grew a movement to "reconstitute our energies as an educational community" and present "an anti-war, Third World GTU counter curriculum" with guidelines for experimental programs.

From the guide to the GTU Strike Bulletin, 1970, (The Graduate Theological Union.)

Agency History

GTU photographs have been taken and collected primarily for the purpose of publishing them in the GTU newsletters Ecumenical Associates News and later Currents, as well as other publications such as the GTU View Book and GTU Catalog, and in brochures. Photographs have been taken of events, conferences, distinguished visitors and lecturers, GTU Presidents, Deans, and faculty, and GTU buildings and member schools. Photographs of the GTU Library have been taken both to publish, and to document the building itself, and the functions within the building. Staff photos, have been taken periodically for identification purposes, to be posted on a bulletin board, or reproduced in a personnel manual so that staff may better know each other.

The development function was first part of the President's Office. The photographs were originally filed in that office. When the function was formed into a separate Development Office, later named the Office of Institutional Advancement, the photographs were filed with that office.

There has never been a GTU administrative policy concerning when, why, or by whom photographs are to be taken or kept. Not all events (Commencement, Convocation, annual lectures, etc.) have been photographed.

From the guide to the Office of Institutional Advancement. GTU Photograph collection, 1965-, (The Graduate Theological Union. Library.)

Historical Note

The three issues of the Bulletin, February-March, 1969, are listings of events, protests, lectures, raps, strikes and boycotts. The major event is the mutiny trial of 27 men at the San Francisco Presidio for refusal to go to Vietnam. Concerning a march in support of the men: "Join the fun. Get involved. Today Berkeley, tomorrow the world".

From the guide to the GTU social action bulletin, 1969, (The Graduate Theological Union.)

Agency History

The GTU submitted the first report to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 1965. In January 1966, GTU received initial accreditation from WASC for a period of two years. In 1967, a second report was submitted, followed by a re-accreditation in January 1968 for three years. The 1967 report was brought up to date and submitted to the American Association of Theological Schools (now the Association of Theological Schools, ATS) in January 1969. In July 1969 by unanimous vote, the GTU was 'officially recognized as an accredited member of the AATS'. In 1971, the GTU was re-accredited by WASC. In 1978, the ATS and WASC did a joint accrediting team visit to the GTU, a practice which has continued. Both bodies re-accredited GTU for ten years. Each body reported issues which the GTU had to address through focused reports or visits required at various dates prior to the 1988 visit. This pattern has continued in the accreditation process. In 1988, GTU was re-accredited by ATS and WASC for ten years with an interim report required in 1993. The next full Self-Study and accrediting visit process came in 1996. It was followed by a Special Report and visit in 1999, and an Interim Report to WASC in 2001.

From the guide to the Graduate Theological Union Accreditation collection, 1966-, (The Graduate Theological Union. Library.)