The University College record group is comprised of materials documenting the project at its peak from 1926 to 1930, with some relevant printed matter dating back to 1922. The records offer a fairly complete administrative history of the University College development, with a minor emphasis on criticism and feedback. Materials are divided into two series: Committee Files and Correspondence, Statements and Miscellaneous Files. Of the two, the Committee Files is more valuable in providing a comprehensive view of the University College project.
The 1920s at the University of Michigan saw a growing interest of the faculties in progressive educational programs and reorganization within the university structure. In his first presidential report, Clarence C. Little raised the question of establishing junior and senior colleges, and in late 1926 and 1927 a University Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies met to survey the present system and offer suggestions for improvement.
The Committee proposed that a University College be organized, with its own dean and faculty composed of members of the other university schools and departments. They further recommended that the college determine its own requirements for admission, and have jurisdiction over all students during their first two undergraduate years.
Because there was little unanimity of opinion among faculty as to the feasibility or even the value of the University College project, the year 1927-28 was devoted to further study. During this time, various committees were appointed to outline possible curriculum programs and deal with issues such as faculty, teaching methods, and the selection, placement and guidance of students.
Discussed by the separate faculties, committee findings were unfavorably received by both the Engineering College and the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, the two largest units directly concerned. Their objections were based on cost, the problems of reorganization, the possible jeopardization of student interests, and the emerging sense of greater distinctions among the various disciplines. Despite these complaints, the Regents remained enthusiastic and authorized an executive committee with the intention of implementing the plan as early as September 1929.
On January 21, 1929, President Little handed the Regents his resignation, recommending that the University College be abandoned unless his successor should decide to personally sponsor it. Although the Regents instructed the executive committee to continue its consideration of the plans, they decided to defer action until determining the views of incoming President Alexander Ruthven.
In February 1930, Dr. Ruthven declared that he "favored the improvement of educational facilities and methods without the fundamental reorganization and the expense which would be involved in the University College." Although the project never came to fruition, many of the same ends were achieved during Dr. Ruthven's administration in an atmosphere of educational and administrative progress.
