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Brigham Young University. Office of the President

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903-

Administrative History

The Office of the President (est. 1903) is the central administrative body at Brigham Young University, and is the direction of the university president.

Brigham Young University has had a president since Brigham Young Academy was changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. While the school was still called Brigham Young Academy the head officer was titled principal.

The Board of Trustees delegates to the university president the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. Since 1996, the president of the university has also been a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), Kevin J. Worthen (2014-2023), and C. Shane Reese (2023- ).

Citation:
Office of the President essays, circa 1985-1986

Brigham Young University, L. Tom Perry Special Collections worksheet, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; administrative office associated with the president of Brigham Young University)

Brigham Young University Web site, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; President's Office)

BYU Organizational History, Brigham Young University, Feb. 19, 2013 (BYU chief executive/general manager; University President 1903; BYA to BYU; Board of Trustees delegate responsibilities to University President; 1996 General Authority; past/present presidents George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), and Cecil O. Samuelson (2003- ))

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on administration, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty and staff dicussing administrative duties at BYU. Topics include meetings, university reports, the academic calendar, and more. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

Office of the President records on committees, 1960-1961

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 22
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between President Wilkinson and facaulty members of BYU assigning them to various campus committees. Dated 1960 to 1961.

Dates: 1960-1961

Office of the President records on Communism, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Contains articles warning againsat the threat of communism as well as memos and letters between BYU faculty discussing measures against communism in the community. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between Preident Wilkinson and heads of BYU departments. Also contains a list of all BYU department chairmen. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on faculty, 1949-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 32
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between BYU faculty and President Wilkinson discussing personal as well as academic issues. Also contains reports on faculty terminations, work loads, and more. Dated 1949 to 1965.

Dates: 1949-1965

Office of the President records on finances, 1950-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 34
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty discussing use of BYU funds. Also contains financial reports on past and future proposed budgets for BYU. Dated 1950 to 1963.

Dates: 1950-1963

Office of the President records on retirement, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums from BYU staff members discussing the BYU retirement plan. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on scheduling, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 53
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of meetings and memorandums concerning the scheduling of BYU faculty meetings and BYU classes. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on Study Abroad, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos among BYU faculty about study abroad programs. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on travel, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 76
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos discussing BYU faculty and students' study abroad finances. Also contains a lengthy travel reimbursement report. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963