| Remembering Ford & Sydeman Halls |
All of the archival collections and most of the Brandeis publications referenced in the online exhibit are housed in the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department. To view these materials, please contact the University Archives. Some collections may have access restrictions; please talk with the Archives staff to check their availability.
The Brandeis University Libraries owns most of the other sources. In addition, the University's Facilities Department houses architectural plans of Ford and Sydeman Halls.
This bibliography is divided into sections on the general history of the building and the student occupation of 1969. Each section is subdivided by material type. This is a selective bibliography; please contact the University Archives if you have any further research questions about Ford Hall or the 1969 student occupation.
David Berkowitz Collection
This collection has information about physical characteristics of Ford Hall and
some correspondence with electrical contractors. The collection also has a
program from Joseph Ford 60th birthday celebration. Professor Berkowitz served
as a member of the history faculty at Brandeis. He also served as executive
assistant to the President and he was also the Director of the Office of
University Planning during the early years of Brandeis.
Board of Trustees--Individuals Collection
This collection contains a lengthy eulogy with considerable biographical
information on Joseph Ford.
Brandeis University--Architecture Collection
This collection contains a book of bound documents and photographs regarding
the construction of Sydeman Hall and Nathan Seifer Auditorium.
Middlesex University Collection
This collection has a photo album of Ford Hall's construction, which at the
time was known as Main Hall. The collection also has an incomplete run of
course catalogs that give brief descriptions of Main Hall when it served as the
Veterinary School of Middlesex University.
The Ralph Norman and Julian Brown Photography
Collection
Ralph Norman served as the University Photographer from 1950 through 1981 and
Julian Brown has served as University Photographer since 1983. This
photographic collection has campus photos including photos of Ford and Sydeman
Halls and Nathan Seifert Auditorium.
Office of University Planning Collection
This collection of 25 bound volumes of documents concerning the development of
the Brandeis campus from 1948 through 1952. These files deal with specific
construction projects and general plans for physical development of the whole
campus. Files include memos, reports, correspondence, especially with
architects and contractors, and plans.
Abram Sachar Collection--Presidential Papers
This collection has information on the construction of Sydeman Hall and
photographs of the science laboratories in Sydeman Hall. It also has files on
fundraising for the renovations of Ford Hall.
Books & Booklets
Gerald S. Bernstein, ed., An Architectural Celebration of
Brandeis University's 50th Anniversary, 1999
This book has information about Ford Hall in the introduction and building
index. Professor Bernstein is a member of the Brandeis faculty in the Fine Arts
Department.
Gerald S. Bernstein, Michael Hauptman, Ann Lorenz, and Randolph Noe
eds., Brandeis Under Construction, 1972
Exhibition book of the Poses Institute of Fine Arts, Rose Art Museum
This book has information on Ford Hall in the "Walking Tour" section
and in an article, "Brandeis Architecture: An Historical Perspective"
by Ann Lorenz.
Israel Goldstein Brandeis University: Chapter of its
Founding 1951
Israel Goldstein served as one of the key players in the effort to establish a
Jewish-sponsored university shortly after the Second World War ended. In his
book about the founding of Brandeis, Goldstein gives a description of the
Middlesex University campus he visited in 1946 including the Veterinary
building, which was to become Ford Hall.
Abram Sachar A Host at Last 1976 and 1995
Written by the University's first president, this is the most extensive
history of Brandeis University from 1948 through 1968. He discusses the
development of the campus, including Ford and Sydeman Halls and refers to
Joseph Ford. There are three editions to this book: a 1976 first edition
published by Little, Brown and Company with the Atlantic Monthly Press; a 1976
expanded special edition; and a 1995 Brandeis University Press edition titled,
Brandeis University: A Host at Last.
Brandeis Publications
Brandeis University Bulletin
From 1949 through 1991 the Brandeis University Bulletin--before 1993 known as
the General Catalog--gave brief descriptions of the campus facilities,
including Ford and Sydeman Halls. The University Archives has a complete run of
Bulletins from 1948 through the present.
Brandeis University Directory
The campus directories indicates the location of academic and administrative
departments on campus. Most of the directories are arranged by department, not
by building. The University Archives has an incomplete run of directories from
1957 to the present.
Material Submitted to the Massachusetts Pre-Medical Approving
Authority, Brandeis University, 1951
In order to develop a recognized Pre-Medical program for its undergraduate
students, Brandeis had to submit material to the Massachusetts Pre-Medical
Approving Authority to demonstrate that its program met certain standards. This
material included descriptions of the University's teaching facilities,
which in 1951 were primarily located in Science Hall--which became Ford Hall in
1952. The materials also include an inventory of science equipment in Science
Hall.
Official Publication of Brandeis University
The Official Publication of Brandeis University serves much of the
same functions that The Brandeis Review and The Brandeis
Reporter serve today, focusing on the activities of the university and
geared towards alumni and Brandeis supporters.
"Science Hall to be Named in Honor of Clara and Joseph Ford of
Boston," Official Publication of Brandeis University: News Issue,
Volume 2, Number 4, April 1952, announces that the building will be renamed the
Clara and Joseph Ford Hall.
Official Publication of Brandeis University: News Issue, Volume 2,
Number 5, August 1952, This issue covers Brandeis' first Commencement Week
and covers the dedication of the Clara and Joseph F. Ford Hall.
"Blueprints with Wings," Official Publication of Brandeis
University: News-Review Issue, Volume 2, Number 6, May 1953, describes the
development of the campus with references to Ford Hall; includes one photograph
of the building.
"Another Season," Official Publication of Brandeis University:
News-Review Issue, Volume 2, Number 7, October 1952, has a photo of a Ford
Hall lecture hall.
Newspapers
The Justice
The main student newspaper, usually published weekly.
Steven Lichtman, "Remembering Ford," Volume 53, Number 15, February
1, 2000. An opinion piece about Ford Hall. A Letter to the Editor response to
Lichtman's piece appears in the February 8, 2000 issue.
Matt Kaliner, "Ford Hall Still Remains Faithful," Volume 52, Number
8, November 3, 1998. This article provides a history of Ford and Sydeman
Halls.
Chuck Petrowski, "Ford Hall: Aging With Grace," Volume 27, Number 10,
December 12, 1974. A short column about Ford Hall's history.
The Jewish Advocate
"Sydeman Estate Makes Gift of Science Building to Brandeis," December
28, 1950
"To Dedicate Seifer Hall at Brandeis University, April 25," April 20,
1950
"Honor Joseph and Clara Ford with a Building at Brandeis," April 12,
1951
"New Laboratory For Brandeis," November 20, 1952, announces the
dedication of the William H. Sydeman Laboratory.
The New York Times "Veterinary College Finishes New Home," December 19, 1940, Section 2, page 6, announces the completion of Main Hall.
Gordon Fellman Collection
This collection has a series concerning the Ford Hall occupation. This series
contains statements, fliers, bulletins, petitions, announcements, resolutions,
and minutes. Gordon Fellman has been a faculty member at Brandeis in the
Sociology Department since 1964. An on-line
finding aid is available.
General Faculty Meetings Collection
This collection is made up of the minutes from General Faculty meetings that
included discussions about the student occupation.
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Collection
This collection contains various documents relating to the student occupation,
including petitions, public statements, memos, newsletters, and press
clippings. An on-line
finding aid is available.
Student Organizations Collection
This collection has a microfilm copy of the "Fact Bag," a collection
of documents concerning the student occupation. Three students organized the
"Fact Bag" as a "central information service, whose sole purpose
is to have available for reading, to any one who asks, copies of any printed,
published statement released by any of the parties involved in the current
crisis." The "Fact Bag" has a table of contents listing all the
individual documents.
Magazine & Journal Articles
Morris Abram "The Eleven Days at Brandeis: As Seen From
the President's Chair," New York Times Magazine, February 16,
1969
Abram, the President of Brandeis University from 1968 to early 1970, provides a
chronological narrative of the events that transpired during the student
occupation. Letters written in response to Abram's article appear in the
March 9, March 16, and March 30, 1969 issues of the New York Times
Magazine.
Morris Abram (interview), "War of the Words," Newsweek, Volume 73, January 27, 1969
"At Brandeis," Jewish Frontier, Volume 36, Number 2, February 1969
David Brudnoy "Black Power Play: Report from Brandeis," National Review, Volume 21, January 28, 1969
David Brudnoy "Doves vs. Hawks," National Review, Volume 21, February 25, 1969
Kenneth G. Gross "Angry and Alone Together," Nation, Volume 208, February 17, 1969
Ben Halpern "Brandeis University and Ocean
Hill-Brownsville," Midstream Volume 15, Number 2
This article discusses the aspect of Jewish-African American relations in the
student occupation of Ford Hall. Halpern served as a member of the Brandeis
faculty in the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department from 1960 until his
retirement in 1980. An on-line
finding aid of the Ben Halpern collection is available.
Bardin H. Nelson "How a Liberal University Re-acts to a Black Take-over," Science, Volume 163, March 28, 1969
Rosenthal, Michael et al. "Blacks at Brandeis," Commonweal, Volume 89, March 14, 1969. Edward Witten wrote a response to Michael Rosenthal in the April 18, 1969 issue of Commonweal.
Newspapers
The Justice
The main student newspaper, usually published weekly.
The Justice devoted a large portion of their issues published in
January and February 1969 to covering the student occupation and its
ramifications.
Also see:
Matt Kaliner, "Eleven Days in Ford Hall" and Eve Levavi,
"Success of Takeover Evaluated," Volume 52, Number 15, February 2,
1999
Three articles about the Ford Hall occupation, present and past student
activism and the Brandeis conference on its past activism--see video section
below--appear in Volume 53, Number 24, April 18, 2000.
National and Local Newspapers
The student occupation of Ford Hall made national news. Numerous stories about
the occupation appeared in local papers like the Waltham News-Tribune
(now called the Daily News-Tribune), the Boston Globe, and
the Jewish Advocate and also national papers like the New York
Times and the Washington Post.
Book
Morris Abram The Day is Short: An Autobiography
1982
Abram discusses in his autobiography his time as President of Brandeis
University from 1968 to early 1970 which includes his dealings with the student
occupation of Ford Hall.
Video
Student Protests 1969-1970: Brandeis and America April 12,
2000
The University Archives has a video of this one-day conference on the student
occupation of Ford Hall and the National Student Strike Information Center that
operated on the Brandeis campus in 1970. The conference was presented by the
University Archives and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Panelists
discussing the Ford Hall occupation included Makeda Millet Kamara '72,
Alexander Aikens III '71, Hon. Edward Redd '71--all students who
participated in the occupation--and Larwence H. Fuchs, Jaffe Professor of
American Civilization and Politics, Thompson F. Williams, Jr., Director of the
Transitional Year Program, and David Squire, Trustee Emeritus and Vice
President for Student Affairs from 1969 through 1970.