Board of Trustees Records (RG 33)
1868-1891
.25 cubic feet and 1 reel of microfilm
Scope and Content Note
Records are organized into four series: 1. Minutes; 2. Financial
& Auditing Committee Records; 3. Notes and Draft of Resolution;
and 4. Circular.
Series 1 includes two journals containing the minutes of the
Board's meetings from 1868-1891 and documents its administration
of Corvallis College. Series 2 is a journal of minutes of the
Board's Financial and Auditing Committee, 1869-1888. It documents
the actions of the committee in overseeing the finances of
Corvallis College, and includes lists of warrants approved for
payment. Series 3 is a set of notes and a draft of a resolution
on John R. N. Bell's favoring the transfer of control of the
college to a State Board of Regents. It is dated either 1884 or
1885. Series 4 is an 1873 circular listing names of local
citizens who pledged money toward the purchase of the college
farm and the farm's expansion.
Forms
Series 1 and 2 are in both paper and microfilm form. Series 3
and 4 are paper only.
Historical Note
In 1861, Corvallis College was sold to a group of Corvallis
residents who were all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. This group became the board of the college. Classes were
probably first held in 1865. By 1866, the newly formed Columbia
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had gained
ownership and control of the college. In 1868, Corvallis College
was reincorporated as a degree granting institution of higher
education. That same year, the College's Board of Trustees
accepted the Oregon Legislative Assembly's designation of
Corvallis College as the state's land-grant institution. The
Columbia Conference appointed Board of Trustees continued to
oversee the college until the mid-1880s.
In February 1885, the Oregon Legislative Assembly passed
legislation that resulted in the state assuming control of the
college and placing its management in the hands of a nine-member
Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. The Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, filed suit against the state in 1887
seeking to retain control of the college.
Ultimately, the church was forced to cede control of the college
to the state. During this time, the State constructed a new
college building on the grounds of the college farm, as mandated
by the Legislative Assembly.
Although the Board of Regents first met in 1886, the Board of
Trustees continued to meet until at least 1891, likely overseeing
the operations of a school at the original campus site in
downtown Corvallis which they called Corvallis
College.
Related Materials
Board of Regents Records (RG 8); President's Office Records (RG 13); Columbia Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, Collection; William A. Finley Scrapbook; MC -
Corvallis College-History.
Shelf Locations
7/1/4/d (12x17 oversize box)
microfilm cabinet
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