As we begin the countdown to the 100th Anniversary of the Association, I thought it would be interesting to relive some fascinating moments from past meetings and test your AACRAO knowledge.
Question: Would it be safe to bet that you have no idea where and when the 1st conference of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars convened?
Answer: At 9 o'clock on Monday morning, August 15, 1910, twenty-four persons assembled in the Detroit High School Building. Of this number fifteen were college registrars and nine were college accountants or secretaries. States represented included, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Illinois, North Dakota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maine, Utah, Minnesota, Ohio and Arkansas. The first general conference of college registrars was then organized, with Mr. A. H. Parrott (of the North Dakota Agricultural College ) as Chairman and Miss Elida Yakeley (of the Michigan Agricultural College ) as Secretary.
Before its adjournment the conference decided that a permanent national organization of college registrars should be formed! AACRAO certainly has come a long way since that first meeting!
Did you know?
The 30 people in attendance at the 2nd Annual Meeting, August 7, 1911 held in Boston, Massachusetts, voted on an annual membership fee of one dollar!
Just imagine the wealth of information those lucky Registrars received for a buck!
A Word of Wisdom from a past Registrar...
George O. Foster, Registrar from the University of Kansas passed along these words of wisdom to the attendees of the 4th Annual Meeting July 8-9, 1913 in Salt Lake City.
“The stress and turmoil of the registration days makes it impossible to give the candidate more than a few words of friendly greeting. To overcome this, I give every entering man a card on which the following is printed:
“My Friend”
'Remember-no man is down and out until he has lost faith in himself.
Don't be a recluse, or a bookworm. Be a mixer, but don't get mixed.
Get into the University life and help make life.
Don't be a quitter – the world hates a quitter.
Be courteous – it pays. Be generous – your heart needs it.
Be deeply sincere in your mental habits; this quality will reflect itself in your speech, and people will believe in you.
Never DESCEND in your speech. Speak in private as you would in public.
Keep your life so that you may always enjoy the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children.
Look for the best in others and give them the best you have.
Take time for plenty of out-door exercise. Appreciate earth's bounty.
Breathe deep God's fresh air day and night.
Identify yourself with the University Y.M.C.A., and thereby secure yourself the cordial fellowship of many fine fellows – a sure prevention of homesickness.
If you need a friend at any time during your University career, remember the man who hands you this card. He esteems it a privilege to serve you.
He wants to know you so as to be able to call you by name.
'O, the world's a curious compound
With its honey and its gall'
With its care and bitter crosses,
But a good world after all.
An' a good God must have made it –
Leastwise, that is what I say,
When a hand is on your shoulder
In a friendly sort of way.'
Last fall six hundred forty of these cards were given out and none were ever found carelessly thrown aside.”
If any current Registrar would like a copy to pass along to new students, feel free to contact the AACRAO office!
Who can afford $3.00 for Membership Dues!
Apparently, those members in attendance at the 5th Annual Meeting, February 24-25, 1914 held at the Grace Street Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. With a balance of $43.92 in the Treasurer's box, you can see why they raised the dues!
And you thought you had problems on campus?
Featured speaker Mrs. Lelia Hartmann of Cincinnati University addressed the attendees at the 6th Annual Meeting, April 20-22, 1915 Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Her chosen topic: 'The co-operative Engineering course in the University of Cincinnati.'
Speaking on issues concerning students in internships or 'co-operative' relationships with City Engineers of the City of Cincinnati, Mrs. Hartmann stated:
“In organizing this work, it was a curious co-incidence that when the faculty members were approached as to the probable success of the new scheme, many of them objected to having 'boiler makers' among students and when manufacturers were approached, they said they did not care to have a crowd of “rah rah boys” in their shops.”
She works hard for the money!
AACRAO treasurer and accountant Mary Brown was paid the incredible sum of $3.80 for 19 hours of accounting in 1915! This information was disclosed during the Treasurer's Report at the 7th Annual Meeting – April 18-20, 1916 New York.
Not fair!
The 69 attendees at the 7th Annual Meeting – April 18-20, 1916 New York, were treated to a luncheon at World Famous - Delmonico's, sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation.
A far cry from the usual stampede to the free food in the exhibit hall!
A few words on the rights of Women...
Noteworthy speaker, Henry S. Barker, President of the University of Kentucky addressed the 8th Annual Meeting – April 25-27, 1917 Lexington, Kentucky.
“Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am very happy to be able to say in greeting you, ladies and gentlemen. Ordinarily when I address conventions of this character they are composed of men only, but it seems that the intellectual institutions of this country, at least some of them, have sense and good taste enough to pick women registrars and therefore I am able to say, ladies and gentlemen. I believe firmly in the equality of the sexes; I am a women's rights man. I have been married a long time and know how to obey orders, and my wife tells me that is what I ought to believe; and ladies, I assure you, I believe it from the bottom of my heart... Before I leave the personal phase of this welcome, I wish to say that in all of my experience in attending gatherings of this sort, I have never seen a convention where the ladies were more beautiful and attractive or the men homelier and more intellectual.”
WAR is declared!
The 1918, 1943 & 1945 Annual Meetings did not convene due to the constraints of WWI and WWII. In 1943, the office of War Mobilization and Re-conversion went so far as to place an “outlaw” stamp on conventions, in effect making it a criminal offence to hold conventions. After careful consideration, the board was “convinced” that it would be a serious mistake!
Did you know?
The first ever Wartime Convention was held April 25-27, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, with 381 in attendance.
Chicago, here we come!
Attendees at the 9th Annual Meeting – April 24-26, 1919 Chicago, Illinois, held a vote on whether or not to have ALL meetings in the central portion of the States, preferably in Chicago. They would however agree to take the, “occasional trips to such extreme foreign parts as Boston.” Results of the vote: 36 against – 43 in favor of a “modified” version, which would allow for the conference to be held in more easily accessed States.
It's time to retire!
At the 31st Annual Meeting, April 25-27, 1944 Chicago, Illinois, there were forty in attendance who had worked as a Registrar for 20 years, twenty-four who had served for 25 years and one fortunate woman, Miss Edith D. Cockins from Ohio State University who had been a Registrar, Recorder, Secretary of the Faculty and University Editor for 50 years! An alumnus of the University from 1894, her distinguished service included five terms as Vice-President of the Association and the distinction of being the first woman to serve as President of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars!
Talk about dedication, or mental illness!
Contact Louise Purkey, if you would like a room at the Neil House for the 1949 Annual Meeting of the A.A.C.R. Room rates are, Single $4.50 and Double $6.00, or enjoy a Modern Suite with a Parlor for $15.00!
Tea with the Hollywood actress Myrna Loy!
Attendees at the 38th National Convention – April 21-24, 1952 were treated to afternoon tea at the historic St. John's Church in Georgetown with the actress Myrna Loy.
The cost for tea... 50 cents!
The Exhibit Hall is now open!
Attendees at the 10th Annual Meeting – April 13-15, 1920 Washington, D.C. were treated to an exhibit on Modern Office Appliances, including filing cabinets, card forms and desks. Ever try to bring a filing cabinet back in your suitcase?
The Depression hits the Association.
After much consideration, the 1921 Annual Meeting was not held, partly due to the increase of member dues to $5.00 per year and the fact that the association was overdrawn $150.00, with “several bills outstanding.” It was decided at the 1922 Annual Meeting to not meet again until 1924; the expense to colleges and universities was cited.
The Admissions Office as Confessional.
In the early part of the 20th Century, students applied for Financial Aid and received a letter of “Honorable Dismissal”, explaining the amount of the award. Interestingly enough they were, “issued on the basis of financial need and moral standing.”
“Hold'er in Boulder” ... was the Board of Director's announcement for the 13th Annual Meeting – April 14-16, 1925 in Boulder, Colorado. The reason behind a meeting “so far west” was to include the western states in meetings, as all meetings since 1913 had been held in the Central or Eastern centers. As all trains to Boulder left from Chicago, it was suggested that all attendees travel together or in groups... “remember - it's about 1065 miles from Chicago to Boulder, you shouldn't think of making the trip alone.” The highlight of the meeting was the chance to participate in a 100 mile, all-day automobile tour through the Estes Park region of Colorado, which included a beef steak fry-up at $3 a head!
Free Membership for Everyone!
Attendees at the 14th Annual Meeting – April 13-15, 1926 Minneapolis, Minnesota voted to extend Honorary Membership to all retiring Registrars automatically, with no application process. After a rush to claim lifetime membership, the attendees of the 15th Annual Meeting – April 12-14, 1927 Atlanta, Georgia, concluded that it was probably a bad idea.
We made it to 10 years!
Attendees at the 10th Annual Meeting – April 13-15, 1920 Washington, D.C., were treated to a complimentary Anniversary banquet. On the menu:
- Oyster Cocktail
- Celery & Olives
- Chicken Consume
- Filet of Sole with Tartar Sauce
- Saratoga Potatoes
- Larded Tenderloin of Beef w/Mushroom Sauce
- Mashed Potatoes & Green Peas
- Lettuce & Tomato Salad w/ French Dressing
- Chocolate Ice Cream
- Assorted Cakes
- Demi Tasse
Don't expect the same at the 100th Anniversary!
City Tour!
Attendees at the 17th Annual Meeting – April 16-18, 1929 Seattle, Washington, were given the chance to participate in an afternoon boat ride over Lake Washington, through the Government Canal, Lake Union, the Government locks, to Elliott Bay, the Seattle waterfront and back to the Olympic Hotel. Sounds like the typical Airport Shuttle to me!
Amazing Hotel rates for the next Annual Meeting!
Delegates to the 15th Annual Meeting – April 12-14, 1927 Atlanta, Georgia, were given the choice of a single room with bath for $2.25 per night or a double with bath for $4.50 per night. Not to mention a full banquet for $2.50 per person!
You can't even get a cup of coffee for that price!
That's Entertainment!
As you know, music and entertainment have always been one of the highlights at the Annual Meeting. We only have to look in to our archives to find one of the great examples, such as that experienced by the attendees at the 19th Annual Meeting – April 21-23, 1931 Buffalo, New York, who were treated to the musical renderings of Trumball Jackson on the musical saw.
If any of our members have a hidden talent, please feel free to contact the office.
We are always looking for free entertainment!
Freshman Mortality!
Or, the reasons why a student withdraws from college or is dropped by faculty back in 1926. It seems that the attendees at the 14th Annual Meeting – Minneapolis, Minnesota tabulated a few of the top reasons as follows:
- Matrimony
- Social Life
- Dropped by Faculty for Moral Delinquency
- Too much Fraternity
- Smoked Too Much
It seems freshmen haven't changed!
Welcome Admissions Officers!
Did you know that the A.A.C.R. became A.A.C.R.A.O. in 1949?
The occupation of “admissions officer” became widespread enough for them to be recognized officially in the organizational title, marking the beginning of the Association as we know it today.
Welcome and... pssst... you're almost 60
Free money!
Attendees at the April 20-24, 1952 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., were given the latest, great news from the US Office of Education. The news: One in every twenty students enrolled in American Colleges, Universities, Graduate and Professional Schools received scholarship money that year. Awards started at less than $10.00!
That can't even buy bus fare to get to University!
How do you define Committee?
As you well know, there is an AACRAO committee formed for almost any issue, case in point, the Machine Equipment Committee. In order to clarify the term a new definition was decided on: “A group of the unfit, appointed by the unwilling, to take care of the unnecessary.” Definition provided by the 38th Annual Meeting – April 20-24, 1952 Washington, D.C., Convention News.
And they're off!
Delegates at the 38th Annual Meeting – April 20-24, 1952 Washington, D.C., were treated to a full-day at the Laurel Race Track. The best bet? Transportation $1.75 and Admission $1.00!
Anyone for a day at the New Orleans Casinos during the Centennial? You know where the Board will be!
What in the world?
If anyone knows what a Remington Rand, Rex-O-Graph, Addressograph, Gestetner Duplicator, Duophoto, Recordak, Keysort or a Multigraph are, then you have been in the Registrar's Office WAY too long! These inventive Office Appliances were introduced in the Exhibit Hall at the 38th Annual Meeting – April 20-24, 1952 Washington, D.C.
Did you know? That as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of AACRAO 1910-2010, we are actually meeting for the 96th time! The 1918 meeting was cancelled because of WWI. Both the 1921 and 1923 meetings were cancelled after it had been decided that the expense of attending a meeting annually might be too much for colleges; so biennial meetings were tried. While the years 1943 & 1945 were missed for reasons related to WWII.
New drug invented for Registrars!
Dr. Peter B. Muir head of the U.S. Office of Education jestingly introduced the name of a new dream drug for Registrars: “Dammitall.” He couldn't claim it would relieve one's tension, neither would it pep you up – but it would make you enjoy being tense! The “drug” was introduced at the Golden Jubilee Annual Meeting, April 21, 1964 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Who is Alfred Parrott?
First President of AACRAO! Reared in Kansas, Mr. Parrott, Phi Beta Kappa, received his BA and MA from the University of Kansas, where he played football and helped to develop the game of basketball, with Dr. James Naismith. His teaching career began with a stint as Mathematics Instructor at what is now Michigan State University. Moving to Fargo, North Dakota after his request for a raise to $60.00 a month was rejected, he headed admissions and records at Fargo until his retirement.
Welcome to Washington, DC!
The idea of a permanent office for AACRAO in Washington, DC began in 1962, when a subcommittee was appointed to investigate the issue. In 1963, the committee recommended the establishment of a permanent office, staffed with a secretary to arrange and manage all AACRAO business from a central location. The following year, a second study group was formed to consider the financing implications on the association for a national office. In 1965, the issue was put to a vote during the Business Session of the Chicago Annual Meeting – April 20-23, 1965. The vote of the membership was a resounding yes, with the cost coming from a virtual doubling of the institutional membership fee. The national AACRAO office was opened in the fall of 1966, with Dr. J. Douglas Conner, former Registrar of Southern Methodist University, as Executive Secretary for the Association.
Imagine that! A male secretary, with a PhD. We should all be so lucky!
The Registrar: A Profession
“He must be one of the chief educational officers of the institution. He must be a follower – he must be a leader. He must not merely do that which the faculty may wish him to do – he must point out to the faculty the way in which it should go. From the standpoint of ability, insight and leadership, he must be fully the equal of the leading members of the faculty. He must exalt and magnify his office.” Definition provided by Lotus Delta Coffman, President, University of Minnesota, Bulletin of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, July 1926
This hat's NOT yours!
Restaurant statistics show that in the year 1935, 5,362,475 hats were inadvertently picked up. Because of this, all Annual Meeting attendees at the 1940 meeting in St. Louis each received a small label, which could be pasted inside the hat, containing all identification information. (We actually have one!)
You've done your bit, Now do your best!
Between the years 1943-1946, all of the Journal of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, included a back cover that advertised the need to buy War Bonds to help with efforts to win WWII and to close the inflationary gap caused by the war.
Medal of Honor
Did you know that the back covers of all the 1951 Journal of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars carried the heroic story of Lieutenant Frederick Clinton, who sacrificed himself to save his platoon in combat near Am-Dong, Korea, September 1, 1950? The advertisement was supplied for free by the Association in order to promote the need to purchase U.S. Savings Bonds for Defense.
Groucho Marx?
The famous comic actor appeared in a series of comic advertisements on the back cover of the Journal of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, promoting the Payroll Savings Plan to Association members. The plan was actually the new name for the U.S. Savings Bond Scheme.
Interesting Fact.
The Journal had a name change after the 33 rd Annual Meeting, April 21-24, 1947, Denver, Colorado. The new title, College and University, was approved by the members in a 7/1 vote and went in to effect with Volume 23, October 1947. The name change was first proposed at the 1944 Annual meeting in Chicago, then again in 1946, in Atlanta. There were two reasons for the change. The old title, consisting of eighteen syllables, was cumbersome, but more importantly it implied a limited subject matter. The new title was intended to suggest what the publication was: “a magazine by and for everyone who is interested in Higher Education.”
Teachers Good-Will Service
In 1947, the Association appealed to all members to support the Teachers Good-Will Service project, a scheme which aimed to bolster the morale of educators in the liberated countries of Europe and Asia after WWII. Friendship parcels with books, writing material, sewing kits, clothing, food, educational supplies and even smoking articles and games were sent to teachers, with letters of friendship and support.
“How to Get Your Youngster into College”
The October 1947 issue of College and University included a synopsis of an article which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, August 16, 1947. The article, “How to Get Your Youngster into College,” was on the trials and tribulations of admissions officers. Some of the great advice included: “Don't set your sights higher than the range of your gun; the gun being your child, the range his ability.”
Did you know?
At the 38th Annual Meeting, April 21-24, 1952 - Washington, D.C., the members voted to purchase “a machine for recording the conversation and profound utterances of Executive Committee Members.”
Word has it that it is still blank!
How many women have been elected President of AACRAO?
Between the years 1910-1973, there were a total of five female presidents of the Association. In comparison, the years 1973-2007 found a total of eight. This should come as no surprise since the data mirrors the same imbalance found at Higher Education Institutions during the same time frame.
Green Badge Luncheons
Did you know that for many years, all those attending the AACRAO Annual Meeting for the first time, wore green name badges? In 1962 it was decided that the neophytes would give up the “wearing of the green.” As a result, the name of the luncheon was changed to the “Conference Luncheon.” In 1965, it became the “President's Luncheon” when then AACRAO President James Hitt thought it more appropriate for the president to present the remarks. Ultimately, the event became the “Orientation Luncheon” and then the “First-Time Attendees Luncheon” in the 1970s.
An interesting note: it still remained an occasion on which a battle-scarred veteran offered advice, encouragement and inspiration to the relative newcomers to the group.
The Birth of the State & Regional Associations
Did you know, that during the 1922 Annual Meeting in St. Louis, registrars were urged to organize by states and regions, marking the beginning of state and regional associations? The reason: there were no national meetings in 1921 or 1923, when the association attempted to have biennial meetings. They resumed annual meetings in 1924.
Civil Rights
“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the privilege of, or be subject to discrimination under any program receiving Federal financial assistance.”
In 1969, four years after Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, AACRAO had its first Workshop on issues and compliance with Clarence Laws, Deputy Regional Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Dallas.
The Workshop covered four main issues regarding Higher Education:
- The denial of services
- The provisions of services in a different manner
- Segregation in the providing of services
- Otherwise offering services or benefits in a manner which has the effect if defeating the purposes of the program with respect to particular individuals on the ground of race, color, or national origin.
After the workshop, the Association made several suggestions to the members in regards to the following:
- Recruiting of students, athletes and faculty of color
- The dissemination of financial aid information to minority students
- Brochures and publications should include minority photos and statements of equal opportunity
- Equal employment opportunities on campus and work-study opportunities
- Campuses should provide for financial assistance to fraternities, sororities or other social organizations
- Equal treatment to all campus organizations, regardless of race, color or origin
Women Only!
For years the Association scheduled “Women's Only” luncheons, teas and receptions during the Annual Meeting. An example of the exclusive get together: the 1969 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas included a brunch and fashion show at Neiman-Marcus. A crowd of 272 of “those who lend spice to our lives and dents to our pocketbooks” attended for $5.50 per person.
Post-Convention Tours!
Did you know... at many past meetings the highlight was the added attraction of a “post convention” trip. Some of the exotic locations included Mexico City and Jamaica. The price was well under $300 for a five day trip! WHO can be away from the office for that long?
Christmas in Vietnam
Project Hope for Education and eight members of AACRAO traveled with Bob Hope to Vietnam in the winter of 1970. Their purpose was to council servicemen on the possibilities of continuing their education after discharge. For lack of knowledge, many of those discharged were looking for work and not considering higher education. Interested servicemen were given forms and asked to list the colleges they might like to attend. This assured the servicemen that they would receive specific information directly from the school.
Did you know... David Brinkley spoke at the Opening General Session of the 58th Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio 1972? Famous as a co-anchor, with John Chancellor, of the NBC Nightly News, Brinkley became the program's commentator in 1971, the year before he spoke at the AACRAO meeting.
Did you know... by 1972, AACRAO was affiliated with over thirty nationally recognized higher education agencies and associations? Interestingly, these liaison activities were brought about by relationships between executive secretaries in Washington, D.C.!
Placement Service
Did you know... that AACRAO had a Placement Service, which not only helped prospective employers find suitable employees, but also checked credentials of those persons who wanted to have access to the service? The Placement Service was part of many Annual Meetings and was so successful that it was also a part of many State & Regional Meetings. The same service can now be found on the AACRAO webpage and is know as Jobs Online.
