University of Florida. Division of Social Sciences. Office of the Director.

Division of Social Sciences was an administrative unit within the College of Arts and Sciences whose purpose was to submit recommendations to the Dean on matters of interest to the social sciences. Members consisted of the Director of the Division and the chairs of the Anthropology, Geography, Speech, Psychology, Political Science, and Sociology Departments.

Social Science Council was a joint creation of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University College. It was established in 1964 to coordinate interdisciplinary study in the social sciences. Members included members of the Division of Social Sciences plus chairs of the University College's Departments of Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences, the chair of the History Department, the directors of the Communications Sciences Laboratory, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the Center for African Studies. Liaison members included the chair of the Department of Economics and a faculty member from the Department of Statistics.

Social Sciences Institute comprised the same members of the Social Science Council. The Institute's primary goal was to facilitate the research and publication of the University's younger faculty through the award of summer salary stipends, graduate assistants, travel monies, etc.

From the description of Records, 1960-1975. (University of Florida). WorldCat record id: 24227413

The Social Sciences Division was an administrative unit in the College headed by a Director who reported to the Dean. Membership consisted of the chairs of the departments of Anthropology, Geography, Speech, Psychology, Political Science, and Sociology. The Division's purpose was to submit recommendations to the Dean on matters of interest to the social sciences within the College. The Director served on the College Advisory Council, voted on all tenure and promotion of College faculty members, presided over bi-weekly meetings of College division heads, and performed other coordinating duties.

The Social Sciences Council was a joint creation of the College and the University College. The Council chair and vice-chair were appointed by the Deans of both Colleges. Members of the Council, in addition to the six department chairs mentioned above, included chairs of the University College's Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences departments, the chair of the History Department, directors of the Communications Sciences Laboratory, the Latin American Center, the Center for African Studies. Liaison members included chair of the Department of Economics and a member of the Department of Statistics' faculty. The Council was established in 1964 when the Regan Report recommended councils be established which cut across departmental lines. On July 6, 1964, Robert B. Mautz, Vice President for Academic Affairs called a meeting to explore the possibility of establishing such a council for the social sciences. Attendees included, among others, Lyle McAlister, Manning Dauer, Charles Fairbanks, and Herbert Doherty.

The Social Sciences Institute comprised the same membership as the Council. The Institute's primary goal was to facilitate research and publication for younger faculty. Between 1965 and 1974, 77 faculty members received monies for summer salary stipends, graduate assistants, supplies, travel, publication and computer-related costs. Faculty in the Departments of Anthropology, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Speech, Economics, History, and the Social Sciences Department of the University College were eligible. The Institute received a half-time director in 1975 funded through the Division of Sponsored Research. The Institute was patterned on the Institute of Social Research at the University of North Carolina.

In July, 1975, Merle Meyer, Chair of the Department of Psychology became the Social Sciences Division Director. Victor A. Thompson began a two year term (1975-77) as chair of the Political Science Department. Manning Dauer returned to research and teaching full-time. The series ends at this time.

From the guide to the Records of the University of Florida Social Sciences Division, 1960-1975, (Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida)