Guide to the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute Student Council Association minute books

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Westminster's institution consisted of four high school preparatory classes (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior) and two junior college classes (Freshman and Sophomore). It was during this time that the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute Student Council Association, served as Westminster's high school student body governing organization. The student council was created by a constitution drafted by James Ashton, Leslie Johnson, Dora Kiser and Olive Wettersbiom while under the faculty direction of George B Sweazey, Principal of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute. The association's purpose, as stated in Article II of its constitution, was to "Promote all general activities of the student body, such as Social Entertainment, Public Contests and Athletics." The association was open to all students attending Westminster at the cost of an annual one dollar membership fee. The council was made up of seven elected members (later changed to nine), five students and two faculty, which represented the entire high school student body. Within the council, members elected a chairman (later changed to president in 1911), Vice-President, treasurer from the faculty, secretary, and managers for each of the various sports on campus. Once elected, the council would then appoint an editor-in-chief, as well as an assistant editor and business manager for the "Student Life" school newspaper.

Business discussed in council meetings mainly centered around the planning and facilitating of student activities and the support and monitoring of various clubs and athletic groups on campus. Specifically, the council coordinated school outings and field trips out of town or in the canyons, holiday celebrations like Halloween parties and Arbor Day projects, contests like writing a school song for a $2.50 grand prize and intramural athletics and supply maintenance. The council's budget, which varied each year, was mostly spent on new sports equipment like balls, uniforms, bats and racquets, as well as funds for the school newspaper, a new flag, a debate organization entrance fee and council projects. Projects initiated by the council were typically the result of student concerns. Over the years the council worked on a number of projects like donating money to the library for books and magazines, refurnishing recreational areas on campus such as the football field and purchasing a bulletin board to post advertisements and publicity.

The two leather bound minute books in this collection contain the records of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute Student Council Association. The first volume is the smaller book which contains the original constitution of the organization, adopted in September 1910. This volume also contains the minutes of student council meetings held between 13 September 1910 and 13 January 1914. The second volume is the larger book which contains the last copy of the constitution, as well as the minutes of student council meetings held between 12 January 1914 and 9 May 1927. The last entry is a budget report from 1 September 1935.

Gaps in the minutes: In general, the minutes in the volumes are bound in relatively regular chronological order. Specific years may have gaps due to temporary inactivity or infrequent entries in relation to other years; however the organization remains fairly consistent. The only questionable gap occurs between the 7 May 1927 entry and the 1 September 1934 entries, for which no explanation was found.

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:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute Student Council Association minutes books, 1910-1935, ACC-032, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Arrangement:

The minutes in the bound volumes are arranged chronologically. Additional materials (ephemera) found within the pages of the volumes have been filed in a separate folder. These additional materials include a letter addressed to the council from Jack Allen, an alumni member of the 1911 school year council, as well as a program from the commencement exercises of the thirty-seventh graduation of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and third graduation of the Westminster Junior College on May 16, 1918.

Processing Note:

Processed by T. Christopher Wharton.

Creator:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute. Student Council Association

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Quantity:

0.3 linear feet; 2 volumes

Language of the Finding Aid:

English.

Author of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written by T. Christopher Wharton

EAD Creation Date:

2010 August 5 by Sarah Shaw

Standard:

Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS)

Subarea:

Related Material:

Related collections and photographs in Giovale Library Archives:

• Westminster College Student Council minutes, 1945-1956 (ACC-033)
• Collegiate life, 1910-1930 (ACC-118)
• Photograph of Salt Lake Institute students, 1900
• Photograph of Salt Lake Institute students and teachers, 1904
• Photograph of Salt Lake Institute students and teachers, 1908
• Photograph of Salt Lake Institute students and teachers, 1908-1910

Corporate Names:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--History--Sources
Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--Students
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--History--Sources

Subject Terms:

Church schools--Utah--Salt Lake City--Students
High school students--Utah--Salt Lake City--History--Sources
Student government--Utah--Salt Lake City--History--Sources

Form or Genre Terms:

Correspondence
Minutes
Minute books
Programs (documents)

Geographical Names:

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