The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the University of Chicago Burton-Judson Courts Records 1929-2007
© 2013 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | University of Chicago. Burton-Judson Courts. Records |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1929-2007 |
| Size: | 5.75 linear feet (9 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Burton-Judson Courts ("B-J") Residence Hall opened in 1931 and was named after the second and third Presidents of the University of Chicago, Harry Pratt Judson (1906-1923), and Ernest DeWitt Burton (1923-1925). The collection contains correspondence, programming and event materials, directories and administrative material, photographs and T-shirts related to its yearly resident activities. Materials date between 1929 and 2007, with the bulk of the material dating from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, primarily documenting the Resident Master tenures of Jonathan Fanton (Resident Master from 1978-82) and Harold and Marlene Richman (Resident Masters from 1982-92). |
Series VI contains evaluative student correspondence and College Council minutes, restricted for 80 years from date of record creation (until 2058, 2068); personnel information, financial documents, donor information, and expense reports restricted for 50 years (available beginning in 2051); and College Faculty minutes restricted for 30 years (until 2018).
The remainder of the collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: University of Chicago. Burton-Judson Courts. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
The Burton-Judson Courts ("B-J") Residence Hall opened in 1931 and was named after the second and third Presidents of the University of Chicago, Harry Pratt Judson (1906-1923), and Ernest DeWitt Burton (1923-1925). From its initial concept, presented in 1924 by President Burton, the residential hall has had a core aim to create a community within the larger University. The neo-Gothic building south of the Midway is comprised of six houses: Dodd-Mead, Chamberlin, Vincent, Coulter, Linn-Mathews, and Salisbury.
Jonathan Fanton was Resident Master of Burton-Judson Courts from 1978 to 1982. Under Fanton's efforts, the Faculty Fellows program of the residence hall took form. Fanton invited faculty members to become involved in the social events of the residence hall, attend special dinners in their honor with small groups of students, and provide personalized mentorship to incoming freshman residents. Fanton also led the organization of a momentous fiftieth anniversary celebration of the residence hall in November 1981.
Harold and Marlene Richman led Burton-Judson Courts from 1982 to 1992 as Resident Masters. They inherited Fanton's burgeoning Faculty Fellows program and built its ongoing, yearly success. Under the Richmans, a wide variety of resident activities and quarterly events flourished, including Cabaret Nights, the B-J Olympics, and the B-J Players' yearly musical theater productions. The B-J newsletter, Courtside, was started in 1984 and sent to the Faculty Fellows, among others, to keep them informed of the many events occurring in their adoptive residence hall.
The records of the Burton-Judson Courts Residence Hall include correspondence, programming and event materials, directories and administrative material, photographs and T-shirts related to its yearly resident activities. Materials date between 1929 and 2007, with the bulk of the material dating from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, primarily documenting the Resident Master tenures of Fanton and the Richmans. The records were donated by Marlene Richman.
The Burton-Judson Courts Records are organized into six series: Series I: History, Administration, Directories; Series II: Correspondence; Series III: Activities and Events; Series IV: Audio-Visual; Series V: Oversize; and Series VI: Restricted.
Series I, History, Administration, Directories, gives a picture of the many people involved in the life of the residence hall. This series contains several items of general historical interest on the first decade or so of Burton-Judson life. It also includes many lists of the staff, resident heads and assistants, Resident Masters, alumni residents, Master's Committee members, B-J Council Members, and Faculty Fellows of the residence, as well as portrait directories for B-J and the College.
Series II, Correspondence, contains staff memos to/from the Resident Masters as well as abundant correspondence concerning the B-J Faculty Fellows. Much of this correspondence signals B-J social events throughout the quarter for the Fellows to attend. Of particular note is the exchange of poignant thank-you letters marking the end of the Richmans' tenure as Resident Masters.
Series III, Activities and Events, includes material concerning the various events and programs organized throughout the year at B-J, as well as some of the day-to-day workings of the residence hall. This includes correspondence, fliers, orientation schedules, Courtside newsletters, and invitations. Of particular interest are several documents pertaining to the Dodd-Mead Dinner, including hand-written toasts to William Dodd from the 1980s; ample material on the 50th anniversary celebration in 1981; and materials documenting the Richmans' varied yearly traditions, including the February counter-ritual of "Hibernerk."
Series IV, Audio-Visual, contains photographs, negatives, and Polaroid pictures of Burton-Judson students, staff, and events (such as the B-J Olympics, Cabaret Nights, and various musicals).It also includes a small cassette tape from 1988.
Series V, Oversize, contains T-shirts from the B-J student musicals dating from 1989-92 and undated T-shirts for the B-J Olympics staff teams.
Series VI, Restricted, Box 8 includes restricted material for thirty and fifty years from date of creation. Box 9 contains restricted material for fifty and eighty years from date of creation.
Richman, Harold. Papers
University of Chicago. Office of Student Activities. Records
Series I: History, Administration, Directories |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | General B-J History, First B-J Radio Station Broadcast, B-J Council Constitution, 1929, 1945, 1980-81 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Burton-Judson Council, Master's Committee, 1947, 1978-82 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Administration – Resident Heads and Assistants, Resident Masters, 1959-2002 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Administration – Burton-Judson Resident Master's Committee, 1981 |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Administration – Resident Heads and Assistants, 1982-92 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Lists – Fellows and Resident Heads, 1981 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Lists – Fellows, Resident Heads, Council Representatives, 1981-82 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Burton-Judson Courts Directories, 1988-93 and undated |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | "The University of Chicago Builds a Student Home for Men..." circa 1930 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Burton-Judson Master Lists, 1932-1959 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Burton-Judson Master Lists, 1932-61, 1976-78 |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | B-J Resident Alumni Lists by Year, 1933-1981 and undated |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Burton-Judson Master Lists (Alumni), 1959-64, 1969-78, 1980-81 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Salisbury House Resident Directory, circa 1981 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Burton-Judson Applicant, circa 1981 |
Series II: Correspondence |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Staff Memos and Staff Lists, 1982-1986 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Faculty Fellows - Correspondence and Fellows Lists, 1977-1982 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Faculty Fellows - Correspondence, Fellows Lists, Burton-Judson History, 1978-1982 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Faculty Fellows, 1980-1981 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Faculty Fellows, Sept. 1982-May 1983 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Faculty Fellows, 1982-1983 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Staff and Faculty Fellows - Correspondence and Housing Survey, 1982-1989 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Faculty Fellows, 1983-1984 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Faculty Fellows, 1984-1985 |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Faculty Fellows, Sept. 1985-May 1986 |
| Box 2 Folder 14 | Faculty Fellows, Sept. 1986 |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Memos for Master J. Fanton, 1980-1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Resident Masters Richman, 1981, 1986, 1989, 2007 |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Richmans' End of Tenure as Resident Masters, Aug. 1992 |
Series III: Activities and Events |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Activities and Events – Resident Master Jonathan Fanton File, 1978-1979 |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Activities and Events – Resident Master Jonathan Fanton File, 1979-1982 |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Activities and Events – Resident Master Jonathan Fanton File, 1980-1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Activities and Events – Resident Master Jonathan Fanton File, 1980-1982 |
| Box 3 Folder 8 | Activities and Events – Dodd-Mead Dinner, 1940, 1981, 1984 and undated |
| Box 3 Folder 9 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration – Burton-Judson Alumni Lists, 1979-1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 10 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, 1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 11 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration – RSVPs, 1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 12 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1981 |
| Box 3 Folder 13 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1981 |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration – Fellows Correspondence and Resident Welcome, 1981-1982 |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Activities and Events – 50th Anniversary Celebration – Logistics and Post-Event Correspondence, 1981 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Activities and Events – Prospective Students and Parents Reception – April Weekends, January-April 1982 |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Activities and Events – Kieff's Brunch June 6, 1982 |
| Box 4 Folder 5 | Activities and Events – Fellows Dinner June 6, Coleman Dinner June 14, Peter Kountz Reception July 27, 1982 |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1982-1983 |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1983-1984 |
| Box 4 Folder 8 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1984-1985 |
| Box 4 Folder 9 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1985-1986 |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | Activities and Events – "Hell No, We Won't Go" and Hibernerk, 1985, 1987 |
| Box 4 Folder 11 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1986-1987 |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1987-1988 |
| Box 5 Folder 2 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1988-1989 |
| Box 5 Folder 3 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1989-1990 |
| Box 5 Folder 4 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1990-1991 |
| Box 5 Folder 5 | Activities and Events – Resident Programs, 1991-1992 |
Series IV: Audio-Visual |
| Box 5 Folder 6 | Burton-Judson Photographs, 1983-1985 |
| Box 5 Folder 7 | Burton-Judson Photographs, Negatives – Olympics, Café Night, Barnard Dedication, Staff, 1986-1987 |
| Box 5 Folder 8 | Burton-Judson Photographs, Negatives – B-J Olympics, Cabaret Night, Staff, 1987-1988 |
| Box 6 Folder 1 | Burton-Judson Photographs, Negatives – B-J Olympics, Cabaret Night, Staff, Helicopter/Social Hour, 1988-1989 |
| Box 6 Folder 2 | "Grease" – Photographs and Program, 1989 |
| Box 6 Folder 3 | Burton-Judson Photographs – B-J Olympics and Cabaret Night, 1989-1990 |
| Box 6 Folder 4 | "Guys and Dolls" – Negatives, Photographs, Program, 1989-1990 |
| Box 6 Folder 5 | Burton-Judson Photographs, Negatives – B-J Olympics, Cabaret Night, Staff, 1990-1991 |
| Box 6 Folder 6 | "Chicago" – Photographs, Negatives, Program, 1990-1991 |
| Box 6 Folder 7 | Burton-Judson Staff Photographs, 1991 |
| Box 6 Folder 8 | "Sweet Charity" – Photographs and Program, 1991-1992 |
| Box 6 Folder 9 | Burton-Judson Photographs, 1991-1992 |
| Box 6 Folder 10 | Burton-Judson Photographs and Negatives, undated |
| Box 6 Folder 11 | Burton-Judson Photographs and Negatives, undated |
| Box 6 Folder 12 | Burton-Judson Photographs, undated |
| Box 6 Folder 13 | Mini Cassette Tape October 13, 1988 |
Series V: Oversize |
| Box 7 | 12 T-shirts, 1989-1992 and undated |
Series VI: Restricted |
| Box 8 Folder 1 | Univ. of Chicago College Faculty Minutes, May 1989 |
| Box 8 Folder 2 | Fundraising for Kitchen Renovation Project, 1971-1979 |
| Box 8 Folder 3 | Personnel, 1978 |
| Box 8 Folder 4 | B-J Master Fanton Financials, 1978-1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 5 | Resident Master Fanton File – Financial Documents, 1978-1979, 1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 6 | Resident Master's Fund – Financial Documents – Kitchen Renovation Budgets, Residence Hall and Commons Statements, 1978-1982 |
| Box 8 Folder 7 | B-J Kitchen Project – Financial Documents and Correspondence, 1979 |
| Box 8 Folder 8 | Resident Master's Fund – Check Register, Financial Documents, Memos, 1980-1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 9 | 50th Anniversary Celebration – Financial and Logistical Information, Donations, 1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 10 | 50th Anniversary Celebration – Response Record and Donations, 1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 11 | 50th Anniversary Celebration – Financial Documents, Donations, Resident Directories, 1981 |
| Box 8 Folder 12 | Resident Master's Fund – Financial Documents, 1981-1982 |
| Box 8 Folder 13 | Burton-Judson Guest Suite – Financial Documents, 1981-1982 |
| Box 9 Folder 1 | Resident Master Financial Memos, 1982 |
| Box 9 Folder 2 | Resident Masters' Program and Expenses by Quarter, Year, 1982-1991 |
| Box 9 Folder 3 | Resident Masters' Orientation Expense Reports, 1987, 1988 |
| Box 9 Folder 4 | Student Correspondence – Jonathan Fanton, 1978 |
| Box 9 Folder 5 | Univ. of Chicago College Council Minutes, Oct. 1988 |