Administration

Title: Administration
Description: Patterson served as associate dean for academic affairs for the majority of his time at the University of Michigan, from 1979 to 1998. In this role, he was a firm advocate for students of color, serving on the Advisory Committee for Graduate Minority Affairs and participating in the Student Research Opportunity Program (SROP). He brought several scholars, performers, and composers of color to the School of Music through the King/Chavez/Parks (KCP) Visiting Professorship. Additionally, he contributed to national organizations such as the National Black Music Caucus.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What means of advocacy are available to those in administrative positions that are less accessible to those strictly in the artistic or academic realms? What avenues are not available?

What are the benefits and drawbacks to advocacy pursued through administrative positions?

What values and responsibilities might influence the pursuit of social justice goals by administrators?

RELATED COLLECTIONS:; Supporting Students; BIPOC Platforming

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Con Brio: A Newsletter of the National Black Music Caucus, Vol. 1, No. 1
A newsletter published by the National Black Music Caucus, overseen by Willis Patterson as the Executive Secretary.
Letter to Paul Boylan and CDR Members from Willis Patterson
A letter expressing both the voice department's ambivalence towards the student course proposal on the art songs of Black composers and Patterson's personal strong support for it. His diverging opinions from the department are of particular interest. Two pages of the letter present, but it is incomplete in the archive file.
Letter to Richard English, William Cash, Rosellen Cheek, Henry Johnson, and Gwendolyn Baker from Willis Patterson
A letter to multiple administrators, including the director of the affirmative action program, requesting funds for a second year's worth of concerts in collaboration with the Eva Jessye Afro-American Music Collection.
Letter to Paul Boylan from Leonard Johnson
A letter expressing support for the proposal for a course on the art songs of Black composers. Cites a NASM review stating the the School of Music could benefit from "expanding our comparatively conservative offerings."
Letter to Henry Johnson, Richard English, and William Cash from Willis Patterson
Request for funds from the university administration in support of the Black Art Song Series, detailing that and related research projects such as Patterson's anthology.
Letter to Willis Patterson from Paul Boylan, August 15, 1977
Discussion of funds in support of the Black Art Song Series and George Shirley's work as a visiting professor over the summer.
Letter to Marian Anderson from Willis Patterson
Invitation to be honored at the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology's festival of aging and the art of living. The letter also discusses the need for a Black art song anthology, which Patterson was working on.
School of Music Report of Faculty Activities 1975
A report of Willis Patterson's teaching, professional, research, and service activities across all three terms of 1975.
Letter to Willis Patterson from Charlotte Heth, August 11, 1988
A letter inquiring about details of Charlotte Heth's upcoming visit to campus through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program, with a short biography and Heth's abbreviated CV enclosed.
Memorandum to Michigan Daily from Willis Patterson regarding Dr. Charlotte Heth, Native American - Visiting KCP Professor in Music
Request to print notice of Charlotte Heth's visit through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program and the schedule of events. Refers to Heth as "one of a very few (if not the only) Native Americans who has been invited to our campus under the auspices of this program."
Summary Report of 9 November, 1977 Meeting
Meeting items included future meeting scheduling, committee membership, a prospective student visitation program, and support avenues for the University Fellowship for Minority Students. The discussion of the fellowship's lower stipend amount compared to other university fellowships is of particular interest.