This subseries consists of correspondence, memos, reports, and other material collected by the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs primarily from 1958 to 1974. These include files generated by Robert B. Mautz, Dean of Academic Affairs (1958-1964) and Vice-President for Academic Affairs (1964-1968), and vice presidents Frederick Conner (1968-1971) and Harold Hanson (1971-1974).

Three of four essential functions of the Office of Academic Affairs are documented here: 1) the enforcement of University and BOR policies in respect to academic personnel, 2) supervision of instruction and research (including analysis, evaluation, and assistance in improvement of current operations; encouragement and facilitation of interdisciplinary and inter-unit cooperation, including supervision of inter-unit agencies; and, supervision of the development of academic standards, regulation, procedures, and calendar, etc.), and 3) the interpretation of the academic program of the University to the central administration, the University System, the high schools and junior colleges, and the general public. (See letter from Conner to O'Connell, December 1968.) Not documented in this series is the Office's other major function of budget supervision. The user interested in budget matters should consult Series 4, Budget Files, 1961-1976.

The subseries is particularly rich in records related to questions of academic freedom and other faculty personnel matters, including tenure proceedings, outside political activity, and loyalty oaths. Also of interest are files related to student unrest in the 1960s and early 1970s, Civil Rights Act compliance and records related to affirmative action (See also Series 6.), and the creation of the Division of Sponsored Research. As the chief academic officer, the vice president kept excellent files from both permanent and ad hoc university committees and copies of accreditation records.

The subseries is organized according to the Office's own alpha-numerical filing system. This system has five broad categories: A--Governmental, B--University Administrative, C--Committees, D--Colleges and Schools (University of Florida), and E--Organized Activities. Within each of these broad categories are subcategories assigned specific numbers. Files within the subcategories are arranged alphabetically by file number, with miscellaneous correspondence often coming first. Please consult the accompanying filing key and contents list.

An addendum has been attached which contains materials accessioned by the Archives after the original materials were accessioned. Included in the addendum are files from the Office of Academic Services which was responsible for budget matters and the certification of academic personnel. Throughout most of the 1960s, the Director of Academic Services was Assistant Dean Robert Jennings. In 1969, the Office of Academic Services was eliminated and its duties integrated into the general operations of the Office of Academic Affairs. These files include confidential records related to individual tenure and promotion cases and the archivist should be consulted regarding restrictions. Also included in the addendum are records of several committees. Among the committee records are the proposals for curriculum changes submitted to the Curriculum Committee for 1970-1973.

Series 3 consists of a reading file for the Vice President for Academic Affairs covering 1958-1978. A cross-examination of correspondence in both Series 2 and Series 3 indicates that much of the correspondence in Subseries 2a is lost or difficult to locate. The user should refer to the reading file for missing documents in a specific time period.

Subseries 2b is organized according to the Office of Academic Affairs' own alpha-numerical filing system. This system has five broad categories: A--Governmental, B--University Administrative, C--Major University Committees, D--University of Florida Colleges and Schools, E--Organized Activities, and F--College and Department Evaluations. Within each of these broad categories are subcategories. Files within the subcategories are arranged by file name with miscellaneous correspondence coming first. Please consult the accompanying filing key and contents list.

Subseries 2b consists of correspondence, memos, reports and other material collected by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The file was created during the first six years of Robert A. Bryan's tenure as vice-president (1974-1980), but also includes some carryover correspondence from the administration of Harold P. Hanson.

Two of four central functions of the Office of Academic Affairs are documented extensively: First, the supervision of instruction and research (including continuing analysis, evaluation, and assistance in improvement of current operations; encouragement and facilitation of inter-disciplinary and inter-unit cooperation, including supervision of inter-unit agencies; and, supervision of inter-unit agencies; and, supervision of the development of academic standards, regulation, procedures, and calendars, etc.) and, second, the interpretation of the academic program of the university to the central administration, the State University System, the high schools and junior colleges, and the general public. In this regard, the correspondence with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs is especially informative. Also included are records related to supervision of faculty personnel and some files on specific cases may be restricted.

Not documented in this subseries are the office's budgetary responsibilities. Researchers should consult Series 4, Budget Files, 1961-1976, for budget matters. Series 3, Reading Files, should be consulted for missing outgoing correspondence.