Archives and Special Collections
92 Snell Library
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2351
Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

Printable Finding Aid. Back to Browsing Version.

Collection Overview
Title:Northeastern University Division of Academic Computing records
Date:1959–1990
Location Code:22/1, 26/2
Reference Code:A98
Extent:0.55 cubic ft.
Scope and Content Abstract:The Division of Academic Computing records document the growth and activities of computing resources at Northeastern University from 1959 to 1990. The collection includes materials produced by the Division of Academic Computing, John Stuckey, Kenneth G. Ryder, Richard Carter, John Curry, and Glenn Pierce. The materials include floor plans, correspondence, manuals and user guides, committee minutes and motions, personnel information, progress reports and grant proposals, flyers, information packets, and newsletters. Sets of newsletters are incomplete and include gaps between 1980 and 1984, and 1985 and 1988. The collection also includes an audio reel of a panel discussion from Tufts University entitled, “Systems, Services, and Procedures.”
Historical Abstract:The Division of Academic Computing began in 1987 as a continuation of the academic computer services initiated by Dr. Knowles in 1959 with the purchase of the University's first computer and the establishment of the Computation Center, a support service for the research and teaching needs of faculty, research personnel, graduate students and some undergraduates. In 1981, the Computation Center was reorganized to reflect its growing importance. Its name changed to Academic Computer Services Department, and Paul Kalaghan, who would later become dean of the College of Computer Science, assumed responsibility for it. In 1987, in recognition of the changing character of academic computing, the Academic Computer Services department was reorganized into a new Division of Academic Computing, a planning, coordinating, and policy–making office directed by John Stuckey. Within this structure, the service group continued as the Computing Resource Center. In 1999, the Division of Academic Computing was reorganized into Information Services with services distributed into three departments: Academic Technology Services, Information Services Customer Service, and Network and Production Services.
Language and Scripts:Materials are entirely in English.
System of Arrangement:Arranged in one alphabetical sequence.
Subjects and Contributors:
  • Carter, Richard I.
  • Kalaghan, Paul.

  • Northeastern University (Boston, MA)—Division of Academic Computing.

  • Computing and data processing service centers.
  • Education, Higher—Data processing —Massachusetts, Boston.
  • Electronic data processing—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
  • Information Technology.
Conditions Governing Access:The records are closed for 25 years from the date of their creation, unless researchers have written permission from the creating office.
Technical Access:The panel discussion from Tufts University entitled, “Systems, Services, and Procedures” is recorded on reel–to–reel magnetic tape. Special arrangements need to be made to use this recording. Please contact the University Archivist for more information.
Processor: Finding aid prepared by Marietta Carr, April 2008.

Historical Note

The Division of Academic Computing began in 1987 as a continuation of the academic computer services initiated by Dr. Knowles in 1959 with the purchase of the University's first computer and the establishment of the Computation Center, a support service for the research and teaching needs of faculty, research personnel, graduate students and some undergraduates. In 1981, the Computation Center was reorganized to reflect its growing importance. Its name changed to Academic Computer Services Department, and Paul Kalaghan, who would later become dean of the College of Computer Science, assumed responsibility for it. In 1987, in recognition of the changing character of academic computing, the Academic Computer Services department was reorganized into a new Division of Academic Computing, a planning, coordinating, and policy–making office directed by John Stuckey. Within this structure, the service group continued as the Computing Resource Center. In 1999, the Division of Academic Computing was reorganized into Information Services with services distributed into three departments: Academic Technology Services, Information Services Customer Service, and Network and Production Services.
Chronology
1959 Dr. Asa S. Knowles authorizes purchase of Northeastern University's first computer and establishes the Computation Center.
Richard I. Carter is appointed Director of the Computation Center.
1981 Computation Center is reorganized into the Academic Computer Services Department.
Paul Kalaghan is appointed Director of Academic Computer Services Department.
1987 Academic Computer Services Department is reorganized into the Division of Academic Computing.
John Stuckey is appointed Director of the Division of Academic Computing.
1990 Glenn Pierce replaces John Stuckey as Director of the Division of Academic Computing.
1999 Division of Academic Computing is reorganized as part of Information Services.
Bibliography

Frederick, Antoinette. Northeastern University– Coming of Age: The Ryder Years, 1975–1989. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1995. (LD4011.N22F732 1995).

Division of Academic Computing. “Home.” http://www.dac.neu.edu/dac/ (accessed on Dec. 3, 2007).
Return to Top
BoxTitleDate
Committees
1Advisory1966–1967
1Computern.d.
1Planning1969
1Policyn.d.
1Usersn.d., 1968–1969
1Word Processing1981
1Correspondence1967–1968, 1984
1Floor Plansn.d.
1Flyers and Pamphletsn.d., 1968–1971, 1989–1993
1Grant Proposals 1967–1968
1History and Organizationn.d., 1985–1995
1Job Descriptions1966–1968
1Lectures and Voluntary Coursesn.d., 1968
1Manuals and User Guides (5 Folders)n.d., 1962–1989
Newsletters
2Access 1988–1990
2Biweekly Newsletter 1968
2Computer Bits1960–1980
2Prime Time1984–1985
2Progress Reports1959
2Proposed Components of an Educational Resources Center Utilizing Instructional Technologyn.d.
2“Systems, Services, and Procedures” Panel Discussion (reel–to–reel audio)n.d.
Word Processing
2Center Policy and Procedures1984
2Equipment and Management Reports1980–1982