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Collection Overview
| Size | 31.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 25200 items) |
| Abstract | Students at the University of North Carolina established a chapter of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in 1860. Although the association initially was run entirely by the students, the university encouraged it and eventually provided it with a building. The YMCA disbanded in 1870 but was reestablished in 1876 and has operated continuously since then. In addition to providing a center for religious life on the campus, the YMCA took the lead in organizing an orientation program for new students, published the student handbook for many years, ran the book exchange, and played an important role in early athletics at the university. From 1926 to 1943, the YMCA sponsored the Institute of Human Relations, which brought speakers of many religious and political persuasions to the university. The institute was disbanded during World War II but was reestablished as the Carolina Symposium in 1956. The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was established on campus in 1936 and began to sponsor programs and events of a similar nature. In 1954, the paid staffs and advisory boards of the YMCA and YWCA were merged; however, the two associations maintained separate student cabinets until 1973. The merged organization was known as the YMCA-YWCA until 1976, when its name changed to Campus Y. The Campus Y has focused increasingly on community service and issues related to social justice and race relations. The director of the Campus Y reports to the vice chancellor for student affairs. Records include correspondence, constitutions, minutes of boards and committees, and other files relating to the administration of and programs sponsored by the YMCA and YWCA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both before and after the merger of the two associations. Also included are scrapbooks, photographs, and other media. The addition of June 2011 includes materials relating to the Black Faculty Staff Caucus and the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black History and Culture (formerly Black Cultural Center). |
| Creator | Campus Y (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Historical Information
Students at the University of North Carolina established a chapter of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in 1860. Although the association initially was run entirely by the students, the university encouraged it and eventually provided it with a building. The YMCA disbanded in 1870 but was reestablished in 1876 and has operated continuously since then.
In addition to providing a center for religious life on the campus, the YMCA took the lead in organizing an orientation program for new students, published the student handbook for many years, ran the book exchange, and played an important role in early athletics at the university. From 1926 to 1943 the YMCA sponsored the Institute of Human Relations, which brought speakers of many religious and political persuasions to the university. The institute was disbanded during World War II but was reestablished as the Carolina Symposium in 1956.
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was established on campus in 1936 and began sponsoring programs and events of a similar nature. Both associations participated in outreach programs in local hospitals and schools, provided assistance to foreign students before the opening of the International Student Center, and led the way in bringing distinguished visitors to the campus. In the spring of 1954, the paid staffs and advisory boards of the YMCA and YWCA were merged; however, the two associations maintained separate student cabinets until 1973. The merged organization was known as the YMCA-YWCA until 1976, when its named changed to Campus Y. Since then, the Campus Y has focused increasingly on community service and issues related to social justice and race relations.
In the early years of both the YMCA and the YWCA, the paid position of secretary was usually a one-year appointment. Frank P. Graham was secretary from 1913 to 1915, and Frances F. Bradshaw served in that capacity from 1916 to 1918. Harry F. Comer, secretary of the YMCA from 1921 until 1947, was the first long-term staff member. The YWCA also had a succession of short-term appointees until 1948, when Gay Currie was selected as executive secretary. Later the position was called chairman and then director. Since 1954, the director of the Campus Y has reported to the vice chancellor for student affairs. A list of YM-YWCA secretaries and their successors follows.
| 1921-1947 | Harry F. Comer, Secretary, YMCA |
| 1947-1964 | Claude Shotts, Secretary, YMCA |
| 1964-1976 | Norman Gustaveson, Secretary, YMCA |
| 1948-1953 | Gay Currie, Executive Director, YWCA |
| 1954-1956 | Kirsten Milbraith, Executive Director, YWCA |
| 1956-1957 | Anne Queen, Associate Director, YWCA |
| 1966-1972 | Jean Luker, Director, YWCA |
| 1972-1976 | Edith Elliott, Director, YWCA |
| 1954-1964 | Claude Shotts, Chairman, YMCA-YWCA |
| 1958-1964 | Anne Queen, YMCA-YWCA Staff |
| 1964-1975 | Anne Queen, Chairman, YMCA-YWCA |
| 1975-1976 | Edith Elliott, Acting Chairman, YMCA-YWCA |
| 1976-1981 | Edith Elliott, Director, Campus Y |
| 1982-1985 | Carol J. Holcomb, Director, Campus Y |
| 1985-1999 | Zenobia Hatcher-Wilson, Director, Campus Y |
| 2000-2009 | Virginia Carson, Director, Campus Y |
| 2009- | Richard Harrill, Director, Campus Y |
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Scope and Content
Records include correspondence, constitutions, minutes of boards and committees, and other files relating to the administration of and programs sponsored by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both before and after the merger of the two associations. Also included are scrapbooks, photographs, and other media. The addition of June 2011 includes materials relating to the Black Faculty Staff Caucus and the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black History and Culture (formerly Black Cultural Center).
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Administrative Files, 1906-1974.
The records in this series relate to the administrative work and structure of the YMCA-YWCA. They include some historical files, annual reports, constitutions and bylaws, correspondence, and minutes and reports of the advisory boards and the student cabinets of the Y.
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Subseries 1.1. Office of the Director.
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Subseries 1.2. History and Constitutions.
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Subseries 1.3. Advisory Committees.
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Subseries 1.4. Annual Reports.
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Subseries 1.5. Board of Directors.
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Subseries 1.6. Cabinet.
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Series 2. Programs, 1934-1976.
This series contains correspondence, notes, reports, printed material and other items which relate to the programs of the YMCA and the YWCA both before and after the two organizations were merged.
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Series 3. Financial Records, 1914-1973.
This series contains some financial statements and yearly audits of the YMCA and the YWCA, as well as some financial material from the period after the two units were merged.
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Series 4. Publicity, 1927-1975.
This series contains scrapbooks and photographs documenting the programs and activities of the YMCA, YWCA, and YMCA-YWCA.
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Subseries 4.1. Scrapbooks.
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/1 |
Scrapbook: YMCA, 1937-1939 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/1 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/2 |
Scrapbook: YMCA, 1948-1949 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/2 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/3 |
Scrapbook: YWCA, 1936-1939 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/3 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/4 |
Scrapbook: YWCA, 1942-1943 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/4 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/5 |
Scrapbook: YWCA, February-April, 1954 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/5 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/6 |
Scrapbook: YWCA, September 1954-1955 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/6 |
| Oversize Volume SV-40126/7 |
Scrapbook: YW-YMCA, 1953-1957 #40126, Subseries: "4.1. Scrapbooks." SV-40126/7 |
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Subseries 4.2. Photographs.
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Subseries 4.3. Newspapers.
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Subseries 4.4. Print Material.
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Addition of June 2011, 1860-2005.
The Addition of June 2011 includes minutes and other materials related to the activities of the Campus Y's Advisory Board, Executive Committee, and Cabinet. Also included are administrative files consisting of annual reports of the director, budgets, publicity, and correspondence concerning building renovation, fund-raising, strategic planning, staffing, Y history, and other matters. In addition, there are files documenting the relationships between the Campus Y and other departments, organizations, agencies, and groups, both on and off the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including several campus departments and organizations concerned with minority issues and race relations. Finally, there are numerous files related to the programs of the Campus Y, which provided volunteer and activism opportunities for students in many different areas of community need and addressed issues such as hunger and homelessness, literacy, social justice, race relations, environmental concerns, human rights, gender and sexuality issues, international relations, and public health issues, among others.
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Addition of June 2011: Advisory Board, Executive Committee, and Cabinet, 1860-2005.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by filename; individual files arranged chronologically.
This subseries consists of materials related to the activities of the Campus Y's Advisory Board, Executive Committee, and Cabinet. Included are membership lists, meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, constitutions and bylaws.
The Advisory Board was composed of faculty, staff, and members of the community; its function was to advise on policies and administration. The Executive Committee consisted of the student officers of the Campus Y. The Cabinet was made up of the officers plus the student chairs of the various committees responsible for running the Y's programs.
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Addition of June 2011: Administrative Files, 1895-2004.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by filename; individual files arranged chronologically.
This subseries consists of files related to the routine operation and administration of the Campus Y. Many of the files are those of the director. Included are annual reports, budgets, publicity, and correspondence concerning building renovation, fund-raising, strategic planning, staffing, Y history, and other matters.
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Addition of June 2011: External Relations, 1957-2004.
Arrangement: Arranged in two subseries: Campus Groups and Non-Campus Groups.
This subseries consists mostly of files documenting the relationships between the Campus Y and other departments, organizations, agencies, and groups, both on and off the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Many of the off-campus entities are agencies and foundations to which the Campus Y applied for grants. Included among the on-campus entities is the Division of Student Affairs, of which the Campus Y was administratively a part. Also included are several campus departments and organizations concerned with minority issues and race relations. Of particular interest are the files related to the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black History and Culture (formerly Black Cultural Center) and the Black Faculty Staff Caucus.
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Addition of June 2011: External Relations: Campus Groups, 1957-2004.
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Addition of June 2011. External Relations: Non-Campus Groups, 1963-2004.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs, 1942-2005.
Arrangement: Arranged in subseries by type of program.
This subseries consists of materials related to the programs of the Campus Y. Most programs were organized by student committees, each of which was led by two chairs selected by the Executive Committee. The committee chairs and the Executive Committee together formed the Cabinet. Other programs were sponsored and organized by the Campus Y as a whole, rather than by a specific committee. The committees provided volunteer and activism opportunities for students in many different areas of community need (such as hunger and homelessness, youth programs, and literacy programs, among others), and social justice and awareness issues (such as race relations, environmental concerns, human rights, gender and sexuality issues, international relations, and physical and mental health issues, among others). The Campus Y also organized the annual Freshman Camp program, which provided orientation activities for a small group of incoming students during the summer preceding their freshman year. Materials include correspondence; clippings; budgets and other financial materials; planning materials and notes; annual reports; publicity materials including flyers, brochures, and other items; membership and contact lists; meeting notes and minutes; committee chair applications; training materials; calendars; and reference materials; among other items. Also included are a number of photographs, slides, film reels, floppy discs, videotapes, and audiocassettes.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Campus Y support programs, 1966-1998.
This subseries includes materials related to Campus Y support programs, which educated students about volunteer opportunities and organized fundraising activities and other internal initiatives. These programs included the Committee on Undergraduate Education, Footfalls Road Race, International Handicrafts Bazaar, Recontre du Monde, Volunteer Action Committee, Walk for Humanity, Y-Horizons, and Y-Outreach.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Environmental programs, 1977-1995.
This subseries consists of materials related to environmental programs and events organized by the Campus Y. Of particular interest are the files on the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), which began as a Campus Y committee. SEAC later became a separate student organization and led in the establishment of a national network.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Freshman Camp, 1951-2004.
Freshman Camp, later called Carolina Kickoff, was an annual summer orientation program for incoming freshmen. Materials in this subseries include handbooks and brochures; planning, financial, and publicity materials; annual reports; surveys; acamper and counselor lists; and media including photographs, slides, floppy discs, and film reels.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Gender and sexuality programs, 1978-2004.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on gender and sexuality issues. Included are files on Advocates for the Empowerment of Women of Color (AEWC), People Organized for Women's Empowerment and Rights (POWER), Women's Forum, Rape-Free Zone, and Women Against Rape as well as photographs of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Parade.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Health programs, 1964-2005.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on physical and mental health awareness, including AIDS awareness, and on volunteer work with local hospitals and other agencies. Much of the material is related to volunteer programs at the Murdoch Center and Umstead Hospital, both state-run facilities in Butner, N.C.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Human Rights Week, 1983-2005.
Human Rights Week was an annual event that included events sponsored by many different Campus Y committees. Also see individual committee files for additional information on programs sponsored during Human Rights Week.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on hunger and homelessness and intended both to raise awareness and provide volunteer opportunities. Included are files documenting the activities of the Hunger Action Committee, the Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project, and Habitat for Humanity.
| Box 17 |
Hunger and homelessness programs: General, 1964-2003 and undated #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 17 |
Young World Development, academic years 1969-1970 to 1972-1973 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 17Includes an annual report and articles relating to the activities of the Young World Development Committee, including the Walk Against Hunger. |
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Hunger Action Committee: General, academic years 1975-1976 to 1988-1989 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 17Materials include annual committee reports, flyers, memoranda, clippings, correspondence, contact lists, notes, fund-raising materials, and organizational materials relating to the activities of the Hunger Action Committee, including the Starvathon, Fast for a World Harvest, World Food Day, Food Week, Hunger Cleanup, and the Hunger Banquet. The committee was known as the Hunger Responsibility Committee from academic years 1983-1984 to 1986-1987. Also includes reference materials and correspondence relating to work done national organizations including Oxfam and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. |
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| Image Folder PF-40126/60 |
Hunger Action Committee: Photographs, academic year 1987-1988 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." PF-40126/60 |
| Image Box IB-40126/1 |
Hunger Action Committee: Slides, 1981 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." IB-40126/1Images from the 1981 Fast for World Hunger, sponsored by the Hunger Action Committee. |
| Box 17 |
Student Homeless Outreach Coalition (SHOC), academic years 1989-1990 to 1990-1991 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 17Contains clippings, flyers, correspondence, organizational materials, and reports. The Student Homeless Outreach Coalition (SHOC) merged with the Hunger Elimination Project to form the Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project (HOPE) in academic year 1991-1992. |
| Box 18 |
Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project (HOPE), academic years 1991-1992 to 2004-2005 #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 18Contains annual committee reports, clippings, correspondence, flyers, committee chair applications, fund-raising materials, and organizational materials relating to the activities of the Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project (HOPE), including the Hunger Cleanup and Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The Student Homeless Outreach Coalition (SHOC) merged with the Hunger Elimination Project to form the Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project (HOPE) in academic year 1991-1992. Also includes reference materials and correspondence relating to work done with national organizations including Oxfam and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. |
Habitat for Humanity, academic years 1988-1989 to 1995-1996 and undated #40126, Subseries: "Addition of June 2011: Programs: Hunger and homelessness programs, 1964-2005." Box 18Includes planning materials, correspondence, contact lists and directories, clippings, agreements with the national Habitat for Humanity organization, financial materials, newsletters, and reports, among other items. |
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: International relations programs, 1958-2004.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on international relations, including programs related to the Vietnam War. There are also several files pertaining to programs and services for foreign students and international visitors.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Literacy programs, 1989-2005.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on youth and adult literacy. Included are files documenting the activities of the Project Literacy Committee, which organized the KIDS READ program; and SCALE (Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education), which undertook a literacy project funded by an AmeriCorps grant.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Race relations and minority programs, 1965-2004.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on race relations, including Race Relations Week and Campus Y activities related to the university's Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. See also External Relations: Campus Groups, above, for files documenting the Campus Y's involvement with other univerisity groups and departments concerned with race relations and minority issues.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Youth programs, 1964-2005.
Materials in this subseries relate to Campus Y programs focused on children and youth. Many of the files pertain to tutoring and mentoring and, in particular, to the Campus Y's Big Buddy program. Through the Big Buddy program, UNC-Chapel Hill students mentored local school children and adolescents. For youth literacy programs, see under Literacy Programs, above.
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Addition of June 2011: Programs: Other programs, 1942-2005.
This subseries consists of materials related to Campus Y programs that were not focused on any of the issues outlined in the preceding subseries. Included are programs focused on the death penalty, the elderly, disaster relief, poverty, and other topics. Also included are a few materials related to the Y Press and a number of miscellaneous films and photographs that may be related to Campus Y programs but are mostly not identified.
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Items Separated
Processed by: University Archives staff, December 1975, December 1980, July 1983, September 1983, and June 2011
Encoded by: ByteManagers Inc., 2008
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