About the Project
This digital archive began as the final project for a course I took in fall 2023 called NYU 200: New York University in New York City–A History (referred to throughout as HSED.GE2109) and continued as an Independent study in the following spring 2024 semester. HSED.GE2109 was taught by Professor of History and Education James Fraser and University Archivist Janet Bunde. The course is in the History of Education department, but I decided to take it as a HESA student after a college tour in summer 2023, when an Alumni Affairs administrator mentioned how new staff should look into the archives of the institutions they work at when they start. I had not thought of the archives as a valuable domain for a college administrator before, but with those words in mind, I decided to take my opportunity to learn in the NYU Bobst Library Special Collections.
I had the independence to choose both the topic and medium for my final project, and I decided to focus on the history of WGS studies at NYU through this website. As a Brandeis WGS alum, I know our history well: the program began in 1975, the name was changed to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2014, and just a few years ago in 2020, the program was promoted to Department by the Brandeis Board of Trustees. I was less aware of the discipline’s status at NYU, but my interest and love of WGS made it easy to chose this topic.
Most of my research started with a simple “women’s studies” search on the NYU Special Collections & Archives website. HSED.GE2019 met in the Special Collections Classrooms in Bobst Library, and it was there I learned the rules for requesting and handling collection materials: Wash your hands, store personal belongings in a locker, fill out a form for permission to take photographs or to request manuscript reproductions. On some class sessions, we could request archival materials to consult in person, but all other appointments would need to be scheduled in advance for a 10am-5pm day in the Archives. As a part-time student and full-time employee, I was rarely able to be on campus during the weekdays, and I found myself requesting appointments whenever I had any availability in my schedule. On my days off, I would go down to campus and pore over archival materials.
I examined course bulletins and masterlists, event posters, student work, conference pamphlets, press releases, interdepartmental communications, alumni letters, and more. As I learned more about WGS programming across NYU schools, new questions were raised. In order to fill some of the gaps in the archives, I decided to reach out to people who were involved in the program as faculty and administrators with interview requests. Everyone was so kind and receptive to my messages; even those who were no longer involved with NYU and hadn’t reminisced on their roles in the program for decades responded with encouragement and interest. Hearing from these stakeholders added another layer of specificity to my project. Working on this project has truly been a highlight of my academic career here at NYU, and I’m so excited to share this project and shine a spotlight on this part of the university’s history!
About the Author
My name is Zuri Gordon and I am a student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) M.A.program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. I received my B.A. in English/Creative Writing and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality (WGS) Studies from Brandeis University in 2015. Like most HESA students, being a hyper-involved undergraduate propelled me towards pursuing an advanced degree and career in college administration. Much of my extracurriculars were connected to WGS: I was a leader of the student organizations Brandeis Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (now Intersectional Feminist Collective) and founding member of Brandeis Students Against Sexual Violence, held an internship in the Women’s Studies Research Center, and was the layout editor of a student-run feminist magazine. After I graduate in summer 2024, I hope to work as a feminist administrator in a college Women’s Center, Gender and Sexuality Center, WGS academic department, or in Campus Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Services. Feel free to email any questions or comments to me at zeg2011@nyu.edu.