SUNY Schools, 1976-1991

Blinken maintained a small group of files related to specific SUNY schools. The files are arranged alphabetically by the name of the school. The files in Box 5 were accessioned later and processed separately from Box 1, 2, 3, and 4. The files in Box 5 are also arranged alphabetically by the name of the school. Materials within the files are arranged chronologically. They include reports, correspondence, and news clippings regarding a variety of topics.

There are some files that contain material regarding a specific event or situation. In 1986 the Board of Trustees voted to lift the ban on athletic grant -in-aid at SUNY Buffalo. This change allowed the athletic department to upgrade to Division II in basketball and football with the possibility of upgrading to Division I in subsequent years. Reports from the Intercollegiate Athletic Board are included. Also included is correspondence among the Board members. There are two folders of community correspondence, these include letters from parents, alumni, and members of the community requesting the Board vote to lift the ban and allow the athletic department to upgrade. There are some, though few, requests that the ban not be lifted.

The Dube Controversy at SUNY Stony Brook, 1983-1990, concerns Professor Ernest Dube who was accused of teaching that Zionism is equivalent to racism. Materials consist of editorials, news clippings, statements from the Dean and other faculty members, correspondence from government officials and members of the Jewish community, and memorandum from the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities group. The issue raised questions of academic responsibility and academic freedom in the teaching of controversial subjects. The controversy continued for several years and Dube's tenure appeal prompted the involvement of the American Association of University Professors in 1986.

The controversial Louis Farrakan visited the SUNY Old Westbury campus in April 1985. See Box 2, folder 1.