Office of the President fonds: Home

Call Number: Ua 29, Pc 46

Title: Office of the President fonds (Administrative Files).

Dates: 1906-2003.

Extent: 45.91 m of textual records and other material.

Administrative history: The President's Office includes all senior administrative positions directly under the authority of the President. Since its creation in 1913, the President has been an independent authority. In 1960, under President Hugh Saunderson, the first senior administrative posts were created. The Vice-President (Administration) became the director of all the University's administrative offices and functions. The Vice-President (Academic) became the intermediary between the President and all university faculties, colleges, and the libraries. The Vice-President (Development) directed the University's physical expansion and building program.

In 1976, the Committee to examine the University Government recommended that the offices of Private Funding, Senate Secretariat, Alumni Association, University Relations and Information, University of Manitoba Press, and University of Manitoba Students' Union (U.M.S.U.) fall under direct presidential authority. Other duties were divided between the Vice-President (Administration) and the Vice-President (Academic).   The Vice-President (Administration) co-existed with a newly created Administrative Council and was supported by an Assistant Vice-President and an internal auditor. Under the Vice-President (Administration) were three directors: Director of Employee Relations, Director of Operations, and Director of Finance.  The Vice-President (Academic) was supported by an Assistant Vice-President and had direct control over Graduate Studies, the Libraries, Canadian Studies, and the Research Board. The faculties and colleges came under the control of the Vice-President (Academic) through two Provosts.

In 1981, the central administrative system was reorganized again with the Director of Finance and the Director of Operations becoming the Associate Vice-Presidents of Finance and Operations, Planning, and Analysis. These positions continued to report to the Vice-President (Administration), as did the Directors of Student Affairs and Employee Relations. The two former positions of Provost were redefined along functional lines and became Associate Vice-President of Academic Staff and Associate Vice-President of Academic Programs. The position of Provost for Research Administration became the Associate Vice-President for Research and a position of Assistant Vice-President (Academic) was created.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections in numerous accessions by the Office of the President.

Scope and content: The fonds is organized into record groups that relate to the administrative framework of the Office of the President including the President's Office files, the Vice-President (Administration) and Vice-President (Academic) files, Assistant and Associate Vice-President's files, the Legal Counsel's files, and the Office of Space Management files. The files include records dealing with the affiliated colleges, university associations, and the Board of Governors. Major topics include relations with various levels of government, special events, centres and institutes, commissions, faculty, UMSU, residences, convocation, gifts and donations, libraries, campus planning and building proposals, student aid, and relations with other universities. PC 46 consists of 4 U-Matic video-cassettes depicting the installation of President Arnold Naimark in 1981 and a photograph from 1906 of the Agriculture College at the Tuxedo site. In addition, the photograph collection contains color photographs from the Special Convocation for Carol Shields as she received an honorary degree in Victoria, British Columbia in 2003. Digital media of the event is also available on two compact discs.

Restrictions: Confidential material is restricted. 

Finding aid: Printed finding aids are available in the Archives reading room.