Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/13/18
James Thomas Emmerson
Papers, 1974-2011, n.d.


Descriptive summary

creator:

Emmerson, James Thomas
title:

Papers
dates:

1974-2011, n.d.
extent:

2.94 linear feet (7 document boxes)
collection number:

RS 13/13/18
repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research
publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:

James Thomas Emmerson Papers, RS 13/13/18, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

James Thomas "Tom" Emmerson earned a B.S. (1960) and an M.S. (1964) in journalism from Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. (1973) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He became an Associate Professor (1974-1981) of Journalism and Mass Communications at Iowa State University and was promoted to Professor (1981-2004). Dr. Emmerson also served as the Chair (1986-1993) of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. During that time, he faced several challenges, including the duplication study by Peat, Marwick, and Main Consultants, which recommended the elimination of the journalism program at Iowa State, as well as the sale of the WOI-TV station. Dr. Emmerson took a leading role in working against these measures by writing articles, editorials, and newsletters. He also garnered considerable student and alumni support, and worked closely with university administrators, the Board of Regents, and state legislators. He retired from Iowa State in 2004.

In 1991, Dr. Emmerson became active with the organization, Iowans for WOI-TV. This organization was formed for the purpose of keeping WOI-TV a university-owned operation, and in 1992 its members filed a law suit challenging the Board of Regents' right to sell the station. Though a district court found in favor of Iowans for WOI-TV, the decision was subsequently appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, which overruled the decision in 1993. (For more information regarding Iowans for WOI-TV, please see the Iowans for WOI-TV Records, MS 584, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.)

 

Collection description

This collection (1974-2011, n.d.) includes records regarding Dr. Emmerson's tenure as Chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, the proposed elimination of the Journalism Program, and the sale of WOI-TV. The papers consist of correspondence with faculty, alumni, administrators, and media professionals, as well as memoranda, news clippings, reports, and cassette tapes of radio broadcasts.

 

Organization

This collection is arranged into three series:

 

Description of series

Series 1

Department of Journalism and Mass Communications

1974-2011
extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 document box)
description:

This series consists of materials pertaining to Emmerson's tenure in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, including his years as Chair of the department. Materials include departmental evaluations, reports, faculty meeting minutes, news clippings, and memoranda.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Accreditation evaluation

1992

7

11

Address: "100 Years of ISU Journalism in 18.5 Minutes"

2005

7

12

Address to introduce Wayne P. Davis as recipient of James W. Schwartz Award

2005

1

2

Annual report

1988-1989
7 13 Distinguished Retired Faculty (Exhausted Roosters): Computer Fund Drive 1986

1

3

Faculty meeting minutes (1 of 2)

1988-1989

1

4

Faculty meeting minutes (2 of 2)

1988-1989

1

5

Iowa State University Summer High School Workshops

1989

1

6

Memoranda

1986-1989

1

7

News clippings and biographical information

1974-2011

1

8

Report: "Affirmation and Expectation for Iowa's Land Grant University"

1988

1

9

Report: "The Land Grant Universities Student Credit Hour Comparisons: Comments and Observations about Journalism and Mass Communications"

1987

1

10

Report: "Suggested Goals for Departmental Committees"

1986

 

Description of series

Series 2

Proposed Elimination of the Journalism Program

1989
extent:

2.52 linear feet (6 document boxes)
description:

This series consists of materials regarding the controversy that occurred following the duplication study by Peat, Marwick, and Main Consultants. The duplication study recommended the elimination of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State. The measure was defeated. This series includes correspondence with alumni, university administrators, media professionals, state legislators, and students, as well as news clippings, reports, and notes by Dr. Emmerson.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

11

Alumni Mailings

1989

1

12

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (1 of 9)

1989

1

13

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (2 of 9)

1989

2

1

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (3 of 9)

1989

2

2

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (4 of 9)

1989

2

3

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (5 of 9)

1989

2

4

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (6 of 9)

1989

2

5

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (7 of 9)

1989

2

6

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (8 of 9)

1989

3

1

Correspondence from alumni to Governor Branstad and the Board of Regents (9 of 9)

1989

3

2

Correspondence from alumni to Tom Emmerson (1 of 4)

1989

3

3

Correspondence from alumni to Tom Emmerson (2 of 4)

1989

3

4

Correspondence from alumni to Tom Emmerson (3 of 4)

1989

3

5

Correspondence from alumni to Tom Emmerson (4 of 4)

1989

4

1

Correspondence with the Board of Regents

1989

4

2

Correspondence with Governor Branstad and State of Iowa Legislators

1989

4

3

Correspondence with newspaper editors, television journalists, and news media organizations

1989

4

4

Correspondence regarding Peat, Marwick, and Main Consultants

1989

4

5

Correspondence with President of Iowa State University

1989

4

6

Correspondence with University administrators

1989

4

7

Double major proposal

1989

4

8

Duplication Study by Peat, Marwick, and Main Consultants (sections pertaining to journalism and mass communications programs)

1989

4

9

Editorials regarding the proposed elimination of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

1989

4

10

Essays regarding the proposed elimination of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

1989

4

11

Faculty briefings regarding the proposed elimination of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

1989

4

12

"Fat Regent Controversy" – concerning the results of a mention in the Des Moines Register that someone in Hamilton Hall was overheard saying that "it ain't over ‘til the fat regent sings"

1989

5

1

General correspondence

1989

5

2

Governor Branstad's press conference (1 cassette tape)

1989

5

3

Humorous correspondence and news clippings

1989

5

4

"Iowa Board of Regents Duplication Study" by visiting consultants Mary Ann Yodelis Smith and Dwight L. Teeter

1989

5

5

Letters to concerned students

1989

5

6

Letters to the editor and thank you letters from Dr. Emmerson

1989

5

7

Long Range Strategic Plan for the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

1989

5

8

Memoranda regarding the proposed elimination of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

1989

5

9

Merger of Telecommunicative Arts and Journalism Programs

1989

6

1

Minutes and notes from Board of Regents meetings

1989

6

2

News clippings

1989

6

3

Reactions to the Peat, Marwick Duplication Study

1989

6

4

Recommendations from the Board of Regents

1989

6

5

Specialized journalism majors

1989

 

Description of series

Series 3

Sale of WOI-TV

1991-1993, n.d.
extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)
description:

This series contains materials pertaining to the sale of WOI-TV and to the organization Iowans for WOI-TV. These include correspondence with state legislators, the Board of Regents, university administrators, students, and alumni, as well as memoranda, news clippings, reports, and notes made by Dr. Emmerson.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

6

6

Correspondence: WOI-TV

1991-1993

6

7

"Excerpts from the Decision Regarding the Sale of WOI-TV" by District Court Judge Ronald H. Schechtman

1992

6

8

Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee to Study the Proposed Sale of WOI-TV

1992

6

9

"Jischke on WOI-TV No Sale," comments on a Department of Journalism and Mass Communications Program (1 cassette)

1992-1993

6

10

Iowans for WOI-TV: meeting minutes

1992-1993

6

11

Iowans for WOI-TV: organizational materials

1992-1993

6

12

Iowans for WOI-TV vs. Iowa State Board of Regents

1992

7

1

Memoranda Concerning WOI

1992-1993

7

2

News Clippings: WOI-TV (folder 1 of 2)

1992-1993

7

3

News Clippings: WOI-TV (folder 2 of 2)

1992-1993

7

4

Newsletter: "WOI-TV Update"

1992

7

5

Notes on WOI-TV and journalism

1992-1993

7

6

Pamphlet: "The Student and 5-TV"

n.d.

7

7

Proposed asset purchase agreement between Iowa State University and Capital Communications Company

1992

7

8

Report: "Iowa State University Broadcasting Review and Reassessment"

1992

7

9

Report: "Statement to the Board of Regents Regarding Proposed Sale of WOI-TV"

1992

7

10

Votes of Legislature and Board of Regents on WOI-TV

1992