University of Connecticut, Cabinet Records

The office of the President was established in 1893 when the state of Connecticut established Storrs Agricultural College as Connecticut's land-grant institution of higher education. At that time the title of its chief administrative officer, Benjamin F. Koons, was changed from Principal of the former Storrs Agricultural School to President of the new college.

When Connecticut State College became the University of Connecticut in 1939, the new laws and By-laws stated that, "the President of the University is the executive and administrative officer of the Board [of Trustees]. In this capacity he is responsible for the operations of the University and is given authority requisite to that end." This is the mandate under which President Jorgensen worked throughout his long service as President of the University. The President was also designated as "chairman of the University Senate and of the several schools and colleges." The administrative reorganization authorized by President Jorgensen for the University in 1939 placed direct responsibility for the schools and colleges. President Jorgensen was thus able to devote all his energies chiefly to the fulfillment of his plans for the overall development of the University.

The documents in this collection were created during the presidential tenures of John A. DiBiaggio and Anthony DiBenedetto.

More information on the President's Office records is available here.