Public Information Subject File, 1919-2002, 2009 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: Public Information Subject File, 1919-2002, 2009

Series Number: 39/1/1

Acquired: 1/21/65;9/22/65;7/26/66;1/25/68;9/5/74;4/20/76;9/2/77;6/10/81;1/1/84;2/15/8;4/2001;4/2009

Volume: 39.3 cubic feet

Arrangement

Creator(s)

Biographical Note

In 1919, a special committee of the Board of Trustees "recommended establishing a 'Bureau of Publicity' whose duties would be along 'University publicity and propaganda lines.'"<a href='#ftn1'>1</a> On August 15, 1919 the Board of Trustees appointed Joseph F. Wright as Director of Publicity, effective September 1, 1920.<a href='#ftn2'>2</a> On July 25, 1956 the Board of Trustees approved a change of title to Director of Public Information.<a href='#ftn3'>3</a> The Office of Public Information is charged with the responsibility "for interpreting the University to the public" and with "the task of collecting University news and making it available to the communications media."<a href='#ftn4'>4</a> The Director of Public Information advises the President on University matters "in which the public is interested" and assists "in interpreting University policies and activities" through the media.<a href='#ftn5'>5</a>

In September 1967, the Director became University Director of Public Information and Assistant to the President for institutional relations and development.<a href='#ftn6'>6</a> On January 17, 1980 the Board of Trustees authorized the position of Special Assistant to the President and university director of public information and communication activities.<a href='#ftn7'>7</a>

<a name='ftn1'>1.Â Jerome Rodnitzky, "A History of Public Relations at the University of Illinois, 1904-1930" (unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Illinois, 1967), p. 193.</a>

<a name='ftn2'>2.Â Board of Trustees Transactions, 30th Report, August 15, 1919, p. 505.</a>

<a name='ftn3'>3.Â Ibid., 49th Report, July 25, 1956, p. 20.</a>

<a name='ftn4'>4.Â University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Academic Staff Handbook, p. 33.</a>

<a name='ftn5'>5.Â University of Illinois Statutes, Section 50(b), June 1958.</a>

<a name='ftn6'>6.Â President's Faculty Letter, No. 174, April 7, 1969, p. 5.</a>

<a name='ftn7'>7.Â Board of Trustees Transactions, 60th Report, January 17, 1980, p. 506-07.</a>

Subjects (links to similar materials)

Available for use at:

Service Location	Boxes
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	1-9
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	10-24
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	25-31
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	32-35
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	36-40
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	41-42
19 Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive	43-45

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Description: Subject file of Josef F. Wright (1919-55) and Charles Flynn (1955-75), Directors of Public Information and Managers of Radio Station WILL, including correspondence, news releases, reports, copies of magazine and newspaper supplement articles, editorials speeches, press clippings, radio programming schedules, educational movie catalogs, financial reports, budget records, requisitions, photographs and questionnaires concerning publicity, radio and television stations and Public Information Office activities.Â The series includes material on University research activities, educational programs, permissions to reproduce material, professional meetings, American college Publicity Association, equipment, competition from commercial broadcasters, criticisms, federal legislation, Federal Radio Commission, James O. Bennett's writings on the University, David Kinley, Harry W. Chase, Joseph Tykociner, Lorado Taft, Sousa Gift, Illinium, McCollum case, radio policies, short wave and FM, listener surveys and comments, licenses, television, transmitter, radio course (1938-50), the appointment of David D. Henry, copies of President Henry's speeches (1955-57), Charles E. Flynn's files for planning of Chicago Circle Campus and the Committee for the Cultivation of the Chicago Area, materials on dedications, Honors Days and receptions (1966-84), Kappa Tau Alpha, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, NASULGC, personnel and campus demonstrations and disturbances (1967-71); also includes information gathered for press releases (1932-1996) arranged by topic, including outstanding alumni, Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA) Historic Property Inventory (1986), yearly notable events, David P. Linowes, Robert Parker, Dave Wilson, and David White.

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