Janet Schmitt Scrapbook, 1962-1963

Summary

Creator:
Schmitt, Janet.
Abstract:
Scrapbook containing photographs, ephemera, and other items that document Schmitt's final year as a student at Syracuse University
Extent:
1.4 linear ft
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Janet Schmitt Scrapbook,

Background

Scope and content:

The Janet Schmitt Scrapbook contains photographs, ephemera, and other printed materials that were collected along with personal anecdotes by Janet Schmitt during her final year at Syracuse University. The materials document social events she attended, clubs and organizations she participated in, and other campus events, such as Spring Weekend and the 1963 commencement. Other campus related items include athletic event tickets and posters, as well as her tuition and housing documentation. Personal materials include birthday and graduation cards, napkins and swizzle sticks from dates, and travel ephemera from a post-graduation trip to Puerto Rico with some of her sorority sisters. There are also a number of materials related to Sigma Theta Upsilon, including its history, documentation of its transition to Gamma chapter of Delta Pi, and photographs of Black and white members attending events and experiencing campus life together.

This collection contains homophobic language that users may find objectionable. The language contained in this collection was prevalent at the time of its creation, although no less harmful and inaccurate than it is today. The collection is preserved and presented for its historic and research value.

Biographical / historical:

Janet Schmitt (b. 1942) graduated from Syracuse University in 1963. She was involved in various student activities and organizations across campus, including the Big Chum program and the Daily Orange, where she was an associate editor. Schmitt was also a member of and the vice president of recruitment for the Sigma Theta Upsilon sorority.

The first and only chapter of Sigma Theta Upsilon was founded at Syracuse University in 1959. It was the first interracial, interfaith, and international sorority at the University. The sorority was unique for its time as it had both white and Black students as well as other students of color, all from a variety of religious backgrounds including the Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, and Muslim faiths. It was created so that students of different backgrounds and faiths could interact with and learn from each other. One event they would host was the "Other Religion Nights," discussion sessions where members would share their beliefs with one another. Sigma Theta Upsilon would later become the Gamma chapter of Delta Pi in November of 1963.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Janet Schmitt McKenna in 2014.
Processing information:

Loose photographs were placed in mylar sleeves, then placed in folded paper and kept within the scrapbook. Other loose materials were placed in folded paper and kept within the scrapbook. The scrapbook was placed in an archival box. A plastic flower that was enclosed in the scrapbook was removed, wrapped in archival tissue paper, and then placed beside the scrapbook.

Arrangement:

Loose materials within the scrapbook were kept between the pages where they were found after rehousing.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Janet Schmitt Scrapbook,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu