Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives
Robert F. McClellan papers
Univ Series-001
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives
- Creator
- McClellan, Robert F., 1934-
- Title
- Robert F. McClellan papers
- ID
- Univ Series-001
- Date [inclusive]
- 1963 - 1985
- Extent
- 5.0 Cubic feet
- Language
Biographical Note
Dr. Robert McClellan was a professor of history from 1966 unti his retirement in 1994. Dr. McClellan was a dedicated member of the faculty and an Episcopal priest with a strong commitment to social activism. He personified his generation’s antipathy toward authority and their resistance to injustice. McClellan brought this philosophy and a strident personality to the classroom in ways that challenged and provoked his students and colleagues.
In 1967, President Edgar Harden summarily dismissed McClellan because of his public challenge of the University's expansion plans. Hoping to expand the university northward beyond Wright Street, the administration devised a plan that required the relocation of numerous homes and families in the area. The neighborhood was largely working class and poor, and McClellan interpreted Harden’s expansion plan as an elitist abuse of power and unfair to the residents of the area. As a class exercise, he involved his students in a campaign to educate the residents of their rights and encourage them to resist the University. McClellan’s actions enraged Harden, who interpreted it as a usurpation of his presidential authority.
McClellan’s colleagues and students responded to his termination with indignation and rebellion. For his part, McClellan fought back and enlisted the legal support of the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Education Association. Faculty and students organized rallies and marches supporting McClellan and attacking the administration and Board of Control. Their activities culminated in the fall semester of 1968 with “McClellan Week,” a 16-point program that included a boycott of classes, marches through town, a mock funeral, the burning of effigies, and numerous sit-ins throughout campus. Interpreting McClellan’s dismissal as an affront to academic freedom and a violation of the university’s termination policies and regulations, the faculty joined students in class boycotts and marches; they passed resolutions of condemnation, and the Faculty Senate resigned en masse.
Despite the protest, the Board of Control refused to rescind McClellan’s termination. In response, 137 members of the faculty, in addition to the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University, filed a lawsuit against the administration for violation of McClellan’s civil and academic liberties. Incoming President John X. Jamrich settled out-of-court and reinstated McClellan, but the action came too late to heal the open wound now festering between the faculty and administration.
The McClellan Controversy was the spark that pushed the faculty toward unionization. Dr. McClellan led this effort initially as a proponent of the National Education Association and later as a leader of the American Association of University Professors. For the later, he served as the first chief negotiator for the union's first contract.
Scope and Content Note
The McClellan papers offer an excellent documentation of the faculty organization and agitation for union recognition in the early 1970s. The collection also offers insight into the establishment of the AAUP after becoming the collective bargaining unit for the faculty at Northern Michigan University. McClellan was the informal faculty of advisor of the black student union, and his papers include records documenting the black student sit-in of the dean of students office in 1969. Records include, but are not limited to, correspondence, memorandum, reports and students, and union grievance material.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives 10/1/2010
Harden Learning Resources Center 1261401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, Michigan, 49855
906-227-1225
archives@nmu.edu
Access Restrictions Note
The records of union grievances are restricted from public access. For more information, please contact the university archivist.
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials Note
American Association of University Professors (AAUP) - NMU Chapter, records, Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives.
John Watanen papers, Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- American Association of University Professors. Northern Michigan University Chapter.
- Northern Michigan University--Faculty.
- Northern Michigan University. Faculty Council.
- Northern Michigan University. Faculty Review Committee (FRC).
Collection Inventory
Box 1 of 5 1963 - 1985 |
Box 34-01-01 LRC |
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AAUP -- Michigan Conference 1974 - 1982 |
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AAUP -- Michigan Technological University (MTU) 1977 - 1979 |
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AAUP -- National 1967 |
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Athletic Programs 1974 |
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Collective Bargaining 1972 - 1979 |
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Committees -- Miscellaneous 1976 - 1980 |
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Conflict of Interest Committee 1978 - 1979 |
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Contract Changes 1977 |
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Educational Policy Committee 1977 - 1980 |
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Enrollment 1979 - 1985 |
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Executive Committee 1978 - 1981 |
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Faculty Adjudication Committee 1971 |
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Box 2 of 5 1963 - 1985 |
Box 34-01-02 LRC |
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Faculty Adjudication Committee -- Grievance Report to NMU-AAUP Executive Committee 1979 - 1980 |
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Faculty Advisory Budget Committee 1974 - 1976 |
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Faculty Review Committee 1976 - 1980 |
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Faculty Salaries 1969 - 1976 |
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Faculty Salaries 1977 |
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Faculty Salaries 1978 - 1979 |
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Faculty Salaries 1979 - 1980 |
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Faculty Salary Equity Suit 1979 - 1980 |
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Faculty Strike 1977 |
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Financial Information -- Miscellaneous 1972 - 1979 |
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Box 3 of 5 1963 - 1985Conditions Governing Access noteAAUP Subseries. This box is RESTRICTED. Consult with Archivist. |
Box 34-01-03 LRC |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, B 1975 - 1977 |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, H 1978 - 1979 |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, J 1976 - 1978 |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, L 1975 - 1979 |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, M 1979 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Individual Case, W 1976 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Individual Cases, A-B 1977 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Individual Cases, C-S 1977 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Individual Cases, T-Z 1977 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Miscellaneous 1978 - 1980 |
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Grievances -- Prior Service Grievances 1977 - 1978 |
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Grievances -- Promotion Grievances 1978 - 1979 |
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Box 4 of 5 1963 - 1985 |
Box 34-01-04 LRC |
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Health Insurance 1976 - 1977 |
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Leave 1976 - 1977 |
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Miscellaneous -- NMU-AAUP 1963; 1974 - 1980 |
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NMUFA (NMU Faculty Association) 1970 - 1971 |
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NMUFA -- Collective Bargaining 1971 |
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Non-Reappointment of Non-Tenured Faculty 1969 - 1970 |
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Personnel Files 1968 - 1970 |
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Retirement 1975 - 1979 |
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Salary Committee 1978 - 1980 |
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Tenure 1970 - 1972 |
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Tenure and Staffing Materials 1976 - 1979 |
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Tenure and Staffing Materials 1979 - 1980 |
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Travel Advance 1978 - 1979 |
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Black Student Sit-in, Trial, etc. 1969-1970 |
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Course Materials -- Minorities in American History (HS293) n.d. |
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Box 5 of 5 1963 - 1985 |
Box 34-01-05 LRC |
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Fred Harris Case 1971 - 1972 |
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Fred Harris Case 1972 |
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Fred Harris Case 1972 - 1973; 1977 |
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History Department 1976 |
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McClellan Case 1967 - 1968 |
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McGoff-Panax Case 1969 - 1970; 1977 |
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Michigan Council on Postsecondary Education 1979 |
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Michigan Indian Education Advisory Council 1973; 1978 - 1980 |
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Mini-Dome 1977 |
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Women's Job Corps Center (NMU) 1965 - 1966; 1969 |
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