Guide to the Westminster College catalogs

Table of Contents

Collection Overview

Collection Inventory+/-

Biographical Note/Historical Note

Content Description

Collection Use

Administrative Information

Subjects

Collection Overview +/-

Title: Westminster College catalogs
Dates: 1898-2013 (inclusive)
Collection Number: ACC-072
Summary: This collection contains college catalogs beginning with the year 1898 and onward from Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, including 2 catalogs under its earlier name, Sheldon Jackson College. The main purpose of the college catalog is to list the classes that are available for students to take in a given academic year.
Repository: Westminster College, Giovale Library
Address:
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
Phone: (801) 832-2250

Collection Inventory +/-

box 1, folder 1: 1898-1899
box 1, folder 2: 1900-1901
box 1, folder 3: 1902-1903
box 1, folder 4: 1904-1905
box 1, folder 5: 1909-1910
box 1, folder 6: 1912-1913
box 1, folder 7: 1914-1915
box 1, folder 8: 1915-1916
box 1, folder 9: 1916-1917
box 1, folder 10: 1917-1918
box 1, folder 11: 1918-1919
box 1, folder 12: 1919-1920
box 1, folder 13: 1920-1921
box 1, folder 14: 1921-1922
box 1, folder 15: 1922-1923
box 1, folder 16: 1923-1924
box 1, folder 17: 1924-1925
box 1, folder 18: 1925-1926
box 1, folder 19: 1926-1927
box 1, folder 20: 1927-1928
box 1, folder 21: 1928-1929
box 2, folder 1: 1929-1930
box 2, folder 2: 1930-1931
box 2, folder 3: 1931-1932
box 2, folder 4: 1932-1933
box 2, folder 5: 1933-1934
box 2, folder 6: 1934-1935
box 2, folder 7: 1935-1936
box 2, folder 8: 1936(-1937)
box 2, folder 9: 1937(-1938)
box 2, folder 10: 1938(-1939)
box 2, folder 11: 1939(-1940)
box 2, folder 12: 1940(-1941)
box 2, folder 13: 1941(-1942)
box 2, folder 14: 1942(-1943)
box 2, folder 15: 1943(-1944)
box 2, folder 16: 1944(-1945)
box 2, folder 17: 1945(-1946)
box 2, folder 18: 1946(-1947)
box 2, folder 19: 1947(-1948)
box 3 , folder 1: 1948(-1949)
box 3 , folder 2: 1949(-1950)
box 3 , folder 3: 1950(-1951)
box 3 , folder 4: 1951(-1952)
box 3 , folder 5: 1952-1953
box 3 , folder 6: 1953-1954
box 3 , folder 7: 1954-1956
box 3 , folder 8: 1956-1958
box 3 , folder 9: 1957-1958
box 3 , folder 10: 1958-1959
box 3 , folder 11: 1959-1961
box 4 , folder 1: 1960-1962
box 4 , folder 2: 1961-1963
box 4 , folder 3: 1962-1964
box 4 , folder 4: 1963-1965
box 4 , folder 5: 1964-1966
box 4 , folder 6: 1965-1967
box 4 , folder 7: 1966-1967
box 4 , folder 8: 1967-1968
box 4 , folder 9: 1968-1969
box 4 , folder 10: 1969-1970
box 4 , folder 11: 1970-1971
box 4 , folder 12: 1971-1973
box 5 , folder 1: 1972-1974
box 5 , folder 2: 1974-1975
box 5 , folder 3: 1975 (interim term)
box 5 , folder 4: 1975-1976 (centennial edition)
box 5 , folder 5: 1976-1977
box 5 , folder 6: 1977-1978
box 5 , folder 7: 1978 (interim term)
box 5 , folder 8: 1978-1979
box 5 , folder 9: 1979-1980
box 5 , folder 10: 1980-1981
box 5 , folder 11: 1981-1982
box 5 , folder 12: 1982-1983
box 6, folder 1: 1983-1985
box 6, folder 2: 1985-1986
box 6, folder 3: 1986-1987
box 6, folder 4: 1987-1988
box 7, folder 1: 1988-1989
box 7, folder 2: 1989-1990
box 7, folder 3: 1990-1991
box 7, folder 4: 1991-1992
box 7, folder 5: 1992-1993
box 7, folder 6: 1993-1994
box 8, folder 1: 1994-1995
box 8, folder 2: 1995-1996
box 8, folder 3: 1996-1997
box 8, folder 4: 1997-1998
box 8, folder 5: 1998-1999
box 9, folder 1: 1999-2000
box 9, folder 2: 2000-2001
box 9, folder 3: 2001-2002
box 9, folder 4: 2002-2003
box 9, folder 5: 2003-2004
box 10, folder 1: 2004-2005
box 10, folder 2: 2005-2006
box 10, folder 3: 2006-2007
box 10, folder 4: 2007-2008
box 11, folder 1: 2008-2009
box 11, folder 2: 2009-2010
box 11, folder 3: 2010-2011
box 12, folder 1: 2011-2012 -- Undergraduate
box 12, folder 2: 2012-2013 -- Undergraduate
box 12, folder 3: 2012-2013 -- Graduate

Biographical Note/Historical Note +/-

The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute was founded in 1875 by the First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City, opening it the church's basement on April 12, 1875 as a Presbyterian Preparatory school. In 1896 the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions assumed ownership and administrative control of the institute, and maintained operations until 1910, when it transferred the property to Westminster College, where the institute became the "Preparatory Department" of Westminster College.

In November 1895, a Presbyterian college was incorporated in Salt Lake City. In 1897 college courses were taught within the Sheldon Jackson College, named after well-known Presbyterian minister, missionary, and primary benefactor. Jackson had pledged $50,000 to the College, but when he was unable to fulfill his commitment the college obtained funds from William and Jeannette Ferry and changed its name to Westminster College in 1902. In 1945 high school courses were discontinued and in 1974 the school unaffiliated itself with the Presbyterian Church.

Content Description +/-

This collection contains college catalogs beginning with the year 1898 and onward from Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, including 2 catalogs under its earlier name, Sheldon Jackson College. The main purpose of the college catalog is to list the classes that are available for students to take in a given academic year.

Each college catalog contains an introduction which gives a general and concise history of the college, faculty, and students. The catalog then addresses issues of general concern. These issues depend on what features (i.e. housing, scholarships, etc.) were available at the college at the time, but topics concerning admission are always addressed.

The catalogs typically span the academic year, the fall of one year and the spring of the next. The exceptions to this are the two interim catalogs, the catalogs that cover two two-year listings, and catalogs that cover two academic years in one volume. The interim catalogs cover the period of time after the first semester ended and the second semester began.

Of special importance is the 1898–1899 catalog. This catalog is the first catalog published that contains information pertaining to Westminster College (then called the "Sheldon Jackson College"). This volume contains important information regarding the founding, construction, and the beginnings of what would become Westminster College. The catalog offers information in a variety of sections: Origin of the College, Its Object, Its Prospects, Support of the College, Location and Climate, Morals and Discipline, Boarding and Expenses, Course of Instruction, Building and Rooms, and Next College Year. Information includes a biographical sketch of the college's first president, General John Eaton.

After 1960 most catalogs list a brief summary of enrollment information about the students attending Westminster. This information can include the numbers of students per year, how many students total are in attendance and where the students are from (listing their state or country of origin). Almost all of the catalogs contain pictures (photographs and/or drawings) and/or maps of the campus

The classes are organized according to their subject matter—they are given a department title (like BIOL for Biology). Catalogs before the 1978-1979 academic year do not have this type of designation, but the classes are still be organized according to their respective department. These department titles are then listed alphabetically in the catalog. Classes are organized (within their subject) by class number in ascending order (for example, the class PHIL 206 will be listed after PHIL 300).

Additional information provided that varies by date includes course, degree, and major requirements, admission requirements, concurrent enrollment, transfer of credits, financial aid availability, etc. For example, the 1997–1998 catalog includes a list of Student Life Services highlighting student resources like the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program and the Campus Ministry. Most catalog information (aside from class schedules) is repeated unchanged and is only updated when necessary.

Between 1975–1976, Westminster celebrated its centennial. This catalog includes a brief section about this event, and features President Manford A. Shaw's Centennial Message. It isn't unusual for a catalog to have information pertaining to an important event in Westminster's history reflecting current events. For instance, a memorial to Robert G. McNiece is found in the 1914–1915 catalog. All such articles are brief.

Though the institution did not change, the catalog's organizational title varied with time. For instance, the first two volumes are given the "Sheldon Jackson College" title (1898 – 1901). After 1901, the college's name was changed to Westminster College (1902–1903). The title page for this year, and the next year (1904–1905) reflect the change of names. After a four-year gap, a "Westminster College – Founded by Sheldon Jackson, D.D." title is used.

The 1912–1913 catalog was titled "Westminster College and Salt Lake Collegiate Institute." Similarly, the 1914–1915 catalog was titled "Westminster College and The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute – Preparatory Department." In the years between 1915 and 1923, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College Bulletin." In the years between 1924 and 1936, the catalogs were the catalog issue of "The Utah Westminster". Between 1936 and 1942, they were titled "Westminster College." In the years between 1943 and 1945, the "Westminster" title was lengthened to "Westminster College – Salt Lake City, Utah." However, the "Westminster College" title was used again on the catalogs between 1946 and 1952. The title changed to "Westminster College – Salt Lake City, Utah" for the 1953 year. Between 1954 and 1958, the catalogs were again titled as "Westminster College." Between 1957 and 1958, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College – Salt Lake City." Between 1958 and 1967, the catalogs were again given the title of "The Utah Westminster." Between 1967–1968, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College." Between 1968–1969, they were titled "The Utah Westminster." Finally, between 1969 and 1983, the catalogs were titled "Westminster College." Starting in the fall of 1983 and covering the years up to 1996, the titles were expanded to "Westminster College of Salt Lake City." In the fall of 1996, the catalogs were given the simpler "Westminster College" title. It should be noted that the catalog issues between the years of 1936 (fall) and 1969 (spring) were "catalog issues" of the Utah Westminster publication.

On the title page of the catalogs between 1936 and 1952, one year is listed. However, the catalogs span the entire academic year.

The Westminster College website has online versions of current and recent academic college catalogs.

Gaps in the collection: Catalogs for the academic years 1901–1902, 1903–1904, 1905–1906, 1906–1907, 1907–1908, 1908–1909, 1910–1911, 1911–1912, and 1913–1914 are wanting.

Collection Use +/-

Restrictions on Access:

Open to public research.

Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged.

Restrictions on Use:

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library.

Preferred Citation:

Westminster College catalogs, 1898-2013, ACC-072, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Administrative Information +/-

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologially.

Processing Note:

Processed October 2003 by Josh Ivie.

Creator:

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983

Westminster College of Salt Lake City

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998-

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Quantity:

3.6 linear feet

Language of the Finding Aid:

English.

Author of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written October 2003 by Josh Ivie.

EAD Creation Date:

2012 October 6 by Sarah Shaw

Standard:

Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS)

Subarea:

Archives

Related Material:

Related collections in Giovale Library Archives:

Subjects +/-

Corporate Names:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--History--Sources
Sheldon Jackson College (Salt Lake City, Utah)--Curricula--Catalogs
Sheldon Jackson College (Salt Lake City, Utah)--History--Sources
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Archives
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--History--Sources
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--Archives
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College of Salt Lake City--History--Sources
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--Archives
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--Curricula--Catalogs
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1998- )--History--Sources

Subject Terms:

Universities and colleges--Utah--Salt Lake City--Curricula--Catalogs

Form or Genre Terms:

Catalogs (documents)
Curricula

Personal Names:

Eaton, John, 1829-1906

Geographical Names:

Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources