Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. While staff have taken special care to identify and remove sensitive materials containing privacy protected information (PPI), in rare instances PPI may be revealed during use of this collection. Researchers agree to make no notes or other recordation of PPI if found within this collection, and further agree not to publish or disclose such information for any purpose. Researchers agree to alert Special Collections staff if potentially privacy protected information is found within this collection. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Original audiocassettes contained in this collection are restricted from access. Reformatted access copies may be available, or media reformatting may be available upon request.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], James Leary Papers, 1984-2018, SC 0397, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Jim Leary in February 2018.

Processing Information

Entire copies of local and university newspapers documenting academic restructuring and related incidents in the 1990s were not retained due to duplication in the collection or elsewhere in library holdings.

Folder titles supplied by the donor were retained.

Biographical / Historical

James "J. J." Leary, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, joined the James Madison University faculty in 1973 and taught until his retirement in 2010. He is a former president of the JMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Leary earned the 1985 Advisor of the Year and the 1994-1995 Carl L. Harter Distinguished Teaching Award. Starting in the mid-1980s, Leary became an outspoken critic of the university administration and, along with other faculty, voiced his concern over the declining academic integrity at the university, among other issues.

Scope and Contents

The collection documents events during the late 1980s and 1990s at James Madison University, a period marked by significant strife and dissension between administration and faculty. Specifically, the collection documents an approximately two-year period of conflict between university administration and the JMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) over priorities at JMU. Additional incidents covered in the collection include the controversial decision by JMU administration to restructure academic colleges and dissolve the Physics Department, the creation of CISAT, a 1996 Honor Code "fiasco" during which administration quietly overturned an Honor Council decision, academic integrity, opposition by faculty and students to proposed general education curriculum, nepotism within JMU administration, and the murder of local businessman and alleged procurer Ernest James, who also had ties to JMU.

The collection primarily includes memoranda and internal communications; reports; news articles and clippings; and correspondence with reporters, journalists, and elected officials.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Related Material

William Ingham Papers, 1945-2013, SC 0002, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Andrew Kohen Papers, 1977-2006, SC 0398, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• American Association of University Professors
• Leary, James J.
• Letters (correspondence)
• Memorandums
• Newspaper clippings
• Reports