COSMAT - Final Report with Owen't Revisions, 1973-02

These records, comprising ten boxes, are the administrative files of Walter S. Owen, Vice President for Research and Dean of Science from April 19, 1971 to June 30, 1973. They also include a small amount of material predating the period concerning those areas of responsibility that were transferred from Owen's previous position as Dean of the Technological Institute to the newly created vice presidency.

The records include correspondence, memoranda, reports, grant applications and committee minutes documenting the evolution and functioning of the office subsequent to its creation by the Board of Trustees in April, 1971. The records reflect the scope of Owen's responsibilities; including coordination of all university research activity, supervision of research funding, development of science and engineering programs, coordination of science and engineering studies within the College of Arts and Sciences, and eventually, oversight of all the university's interdisciplinary programs and centers.

Included are files relating to many university departments, in addition to files documenting the creation and development of the Cancer Center, the Health Services Research Center, and a RANN (Research Applied to National Needs) grant for the enhancement of the program of the Transportation Center. Also included re files pertaining to various extra-university committees on which Owen served, including the Argonne Universities Association, the Commonwealth Edison Environmental Advisory Committee, and the COSMAT panel to formulate guidelines for materials sciences programs.

The correspondence and reports pertain largely to the creation of new programs, policy formulation, and the mediation of interdisciplinary disputes.