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Summary
- Abstract:
- Founded to encorage and advance training and professionalism in public administration for New York State
- Extent:
- 9.5 cubic ft.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Empire State Capital Area Chapter Records, 1952-1953. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as ASPA, Empire State Capital Area Chapter Records).
Background
- Scope and Content:
There are few records documenting the early history of this organization (1945-55) due to the lack of a permanent office. The earliest extant records (from 1952) were acquired directly from the Capital District Chapter of ASPA. Most of the other records in the collection were donated by former officers of the Capital District Chapter.
These records show attempts by a prominent group of New York State civil service employees to develop standards for its profession. This group wanted to ensure that professional employees of the state would be equipped to handle the increasingly complex matters of running branches of the civil service. To develop a pool of qualified candidates for civil service, the Capital District Chapter worked on the development of the Albany Graduate Program in Public Administration, which subsequently became the Graduate School of Public Affairs at SUNYA. The minutes of meetings and (to a lesser degree) the correspondence elucidate how the chapter progressed in fulfilling its goals, especially at the state level. The annual reports of the chapter (found in the publications file), compiled by graduate students, detail the issues ASPA was involved with during the year.
The Capital District Chapter of ASPA has helped to improve the administration of state government, and, in conjunction with the national ASPA, beginning in the 1960s and 1970s has tackled such issues as discrimination, handicapped employment in the public sector, and the involvement of women and minorities in government. In the 1980s ASPA worked with the Center for Women in Government, SUNY, to address specific problems involving women in government, such as pay equity for women, equal promotional opportunities, and sexual harassment.
- Biographical / Historical:
The Empire State Capital Area Chapter of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) was organized in 1942 as a discussion group of twenty-five persons to address the lack of professionalism and training in the newly expanded state government. The chapter (known until July 1989 as the Capital District Chapter) was officially chartered on December 5, 1945. The objectives and goals were to foster an "exchange of knowledge and results of experience of persons interested in the field of public administration", "to encourage the collection, compilation and dissemination of information on matters relating to public administration", and "to advance generally the science, processes and art of public administration" [Constitution of the American Society for Public Administration (National Chapter)]. On July 1, 1989, the chapter changed its name to the Empire State Capital Area Chapter in order to distinguish it from other "capital area" chapters and to more accurately define the area it covers.
The chapter was instrumental in creating the Albany Graduate Program in Public Administration in September 1947. The school was originally co-sponsored by Syracuse University and New York University but is now part of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, SUNY (hereafter, "SUNYA"). With the help of the Capital District ASPA, an internship program was initiated in 1947 to give practical experience to the newly graduated professionals. In 1950, a trainee program was begun to train people who were already in state service and who were not necessarily studying for graduate degrees.
The national chapter conducts studies and distributes policy statements to 126 local ASPA chapters across the country. These policy statements serve as guides for the local chapters. The chapters do no lobbying; instead, national and local chapters try to improve government through the sponsorship of seminars and workshops. During the 1980s, the society's main area of concentration has been ethics in government.
- Acquisition information:
- All items in this manuscript group were donated to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, by the by the Capital District Chapter of ASPA and former officers of the chapter.
- Processing information:
Processed in 1989 by Barbara Snow and Geoffrey A. Huth (July 13, 1989), Lisa Selander (January 29, 1990), Linda A. Keller (April 24, 1992).
- Arrangement:
Divided into 8 file series.
- Physical location:
- The materials are located onsite in the department.
Subjects
- Subjects:
- Public administration -- Study and teaching.
African Americans -- Civil rights -- New York (State).
Women in the civil service -- New York (State).
People with disabilities -- Civil rights -- New York (State).
Social Activists and Public Advocates
Albany, New York
Public Servants
Minutes. - Names:
- Maxwell Graduate School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
American Society of Public Administration.
State University of New York at Albany. Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Government.
Contents
Access
Using These Materials
- ACCESS:
- The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Access to this record group is unrestricted.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Empire State Capital Area Chapter Records, 1952-1953. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as ASPA, Empire State Capital Area Chapter Records).