Educational Opportunity Program at Binghamton University records

Collection

Identifier: BUA-0017

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Materials in this collection document SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and other special programs for disadvantaged students between 1966-1979, with the bulk of the material covering 1968-1973. Prior to administering programs under the new EOP, which occurred around 1970/1971, some named programs were already in place. Examples of this include SUNY Binghamton’s Special Admissions Program, and New York State’s SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) Program. This collection does include materials of relevance to the larger statewide programs. Implementation of these programs at SUNY Binghamton (now Binghamton University) is extensively covered, as well as those of some other SUNY schools.

Materials were produced by several parties, but the majority were created either by Dr. Eugene Vasilew, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, and Coordinator of University-Student Affairs at SUNY Binghamton, or SUNY’s Committee on Expanding Educational Opportunity (EEO) of the Faculty Senate. Dr. Vera King Farris, as Chairman of the Faculty Committee on Expanding Educational Opportunities for SUNY, is a significant correspondent in the collection.

The administration, planning, and evaluation of EOP and related programs is prominently featured in this collection. Common topics on these programs are in the areas of recruitment, admissions, orientation, curriculum, academic advising, extra-academic support and counseling, tutoring, financial aid and staffing. Reports, correspondence, and memoranda contain extensive evaluative information on the various programs.

This collection is relevant to the subject of minority students, particularly Black and Puerto Rican students, who were accepted into these programs in higher numbers than other demographic groups. Problems such as a lack of Black leadership and minority faculty on campus and the cultural and academic adjustment of students are discussed. The collection also includes some student survey materials.

For a complete review of materials related to the EOP, both this collection and the Transitional Year Program records should be consulted for research. The TYP finding aid can be accessed here: https://archivesspace.binghamton.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/93

Dates

Creation: 1966 - 1979 and undated

Conditions Governing Access

Materials in this collection have been thoroughly reviewed for possible restrictions. Some folders in the collection have been designated as restricted, and these designations can be found in the title information for those folders in this finding aid, written as [R- reason for restriction]. All except one of these restrictions have been placed because of the presence of student names, which are sometimes associated with evaluations and contact information. There is also one folder containing job applicant materials that has been restricted. All of the restrictions placed on this collection are due to privacy concerns and/or FERPA law. Access to redacted documents may be granted upon request.

Biographical / Historical

The State University of New York's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) is a program developed in the late 1960s which helps provide access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students. For more information please see their website: https://www.suny.edu/attend/academics/eop/program-history/.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

For a complete review of materials related to the EOP, both this collection and the Transitional Year Program records should be consulted for research. The TYP finding aid can be accessed here: https://archivesspace.binghamton.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/93

Processing Information

Documentation on specific programs, and the umbrellas under which they were administered, are not clearly identified or divided in this collection. Likewise, materials specific to SUNY Binghamton are interfiled with statewide or other institutions’ programs. It is recommended that researchers review the contents of the collection accordingly, and not rely entirely on the arrangement of the collection or on folder titles to identify relevant materials.