The records relate to the Vice Chancellor's and Chancellor's office, the University College of Arts and Pure Science, the University's professional schools (Graduate, Law, Engineering, Medical, Veterinary, Commerce, and Pedagogy), the Women's Advisory Committee of the School of Pedagogy, and special programs and facilities.

The Vice Chancellor's and Chancellor's files include correspondence describing MacCracken's selection of vice chancellor and the proposed selection of his son John H. MacCracken as his successor, miscellaneous correspondence, and annual reports. There is very limited documentation concerning the activities of John MacCracken as syndic or acting chancellor of New York University.

The University College material includes information about the classics, English and geology departments, and the chemical and physical laboratories. These files contain correspondence from faculty members, including Ernest G. Sihler, professor of Classics, Archibald Bouton, professor of English and later dean of University College, Morris Loeb of the chemical laboratory, and Daniel W. Hering, professor of Physics. The classics department file also includes two articles by Sihler. The geology department file describes the search for a successor to John J. Stevenson. Examination questions pertain to various departments. Material in all folders is arranged in chronological order.

The professional schools files contain material about the Graduate School (Graduate Seminary), Law School, School of Applied Science (Engineering), University Medical College (University and Bellevue Medical College), the New York American Veterinary College, the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, and the School of Pedagogy. Correspondence, reports and printed material comprises the documents found for most schools. In 1899, the chemical and physical laboratories became part of the School of Applied Science. Material for the two laboratories before and after 1899, however, is found in the University College folders of the collection. Letters from applicants for faculty positions in the School of Pedagogy are arranged in alphabetical order; material in all other folders is arranged chronologically.

The Graduate School (Graduate Seminary) records consist of correspondence and reports, some of which are from John D. Prince, dean of the school, 1895-1902. Theological studies material includes an 1890 agreement between N.Y.U. and the Union Theological Seminary.

The Law School files include correspondence from Austin Abbott and Clarence D. Ashley, deans of the schools, 1891-1896 and 1896-1916 respectively. There is limited information about the Women's Law Class and no material on the Metropolis Law School. (For information on these subjects, see Records of the Women's Law Class and the Womens Legal Aid Society, and Records of the Metropolis Law School, in the New York University Archives).

The School of Applied Sciences (Engineering) records include correspondence and reports from Charles H. Snow, dean of the school, 1899-1930, dating from as early as 1892.

The University Medical College files contain information about the merger between the University Medical College and the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1898, the subsequent Loomis Laboratory lawsuit, and the proposed affiliation with the New York Homeopathic College. Correspondence from Egbert LeFevre, dean of the school, 1898-1914, and Herman M. Biggs; financial records and printed material also are included in these files. The financial records describe the physical facilities of the school and include correspondence with Andrew Carnegie about the Carnegie Laboratory.

The New York American Veterinary College files contain correspondence about the establishment of the school, legislation affecting the college's operation, reports, lists of students, and printed material.

The School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance records consist of correspondence of Charles W. Haskins, first dean of the school 1900-1903, and partner in the accounting firm of Haskins and Sells. Many of the documents, including faculty correspondence, financial information, course descriptions, printed material, and newspaper clippings, pertain to the establishment of the school.

The School of Pedagogy material provides information about the 1901 controversy over admissions standards which led to mass faculty resignations. In addition, some documents describe MacCracken's role as acting dean from 1901 to 1904. There is virtually no information about the Summer School.

The Women's Advisory Committee material relates primarily to the operation of the School of Pedagogy, including information about the 1901 controversy, faculty appointments, courses, and finances. Minute books covering the period 1890 to 1911 provide much information about the committee's activities.

Special programs/facilities includes information about the Deems lectures, the Bermuda biological station, various N.Y.U. libraries, and limited material concerning the Hall of Fame.

Records concerning University finances consist of registrar's reports, fiscal statements, department budgets, faculty pensions, and student tuition costs, dormitory rentals and scholarships. Income from gifts and grants indicate the contributions and endowments made during the period, including support from the General Education Board, a Rockefeller-sponsored institution. The Gould family records contain extensive correspondence with Helen Miller Gould, daughter of Jay Gould, concerning scholarships, contributions, and construction at University Heights, made possible through the generous benefaction of the Gould family.

University properties at Washington Square and University Heights are the principal concerns in the files on physical plant. Washington Square material relates to the construction, furnishing, and rental of Main Building, which was designed by the architect, Alfred Zucker and constructed in 1894. The files include extensive material documenting the lease agreements on the building between the University and the American Book Company.

Records concerning the University Heights property are divided into three categories: real estate, building and construction, and furnishing and rental.

Real estate material describes the purchase of property from the Mali and Schwab estates, as well as the Ohio Society's assistance in obtaining property originally belonging to Loring Andrews. Limited correspondence about the sale or rental of property is included.

Building construction, furnishing, and maintenance files include internal memoranda and reports from the building committee, which consisted of members of the University Council, and correspondence with McKim, Meade and White, the principal architects at University Heights. MacCracken's correspondence with Stanford White documents the design of Gould Memorial Library and the Hall of Fame Colonnade. Also included in the records is correspondence and plans with various contractors and builders of the buildings at University Heights.

Municipal improvements and services records consist of correspondence suggesting the desire of the area's residents to improve city services and to establish such cultural institutions as the Presbyterian church and a branch library. The notebook of the church, minutes of meetings, and some financial information. Printed material includes flyers for the sale of lots, as well as programs for the opening day celebrations in 1895.

The student affairs folders contain correspondence from and about students describing admissions, courses, transfers, grades, reasons for leaving N.Y.U., and publication of the class annual, the Violet. Information about student regulations, chapel attendance, petitions, and fraternities also is included. Other records document the development of an athletic program. Letters giving reasons for leaving the University are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. All other material is arranged in chronological order within folders.

These records consist of limited correspondence and minutes of the New York University Council and the University Senate, which was established in 1896. A limited amount of material concerns a proposed merger between N.Y.U. and Columbia University in 1892. Much of the council material describes the Alumni Association's efforts to gain representation on the University's governing board.

Material in this series includes legislation proposed by or affecting the University, and correspondence with several Boards of Education, the Association of American Universities, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and other universities and organizations.

These files contain typescripts of press releases from 1901 to 1910, correspondence and typescripts of History of New York University, by Ernest G. Sihler and Henry M. MacCracken (1901), business correspondence about the University's publications and material describing various celebrations in which New York University participated.

The folders on alumni activities include material on the General Alumni Society, and correspondence from several specialized alumni groups. Lists of all graduates from 1833 to 1892 and the subsequent classes of 1896, 1897, and 1900 are supplemented by the names of those graduates who had served in the Civil War, and Phi Beta Kappa members prior to 1896.

Information on honorary degrees consists of biographical sketches and correspondence with applicants and recipients, including several women and some notable men. Material within the honorary degrees correspondence folders is arranged alphabetically by individual. All other material is arranged in chronological order within folders.

The expansion and fundraising series contains correspondence, maps, clippings, and legal documents relating to the development and growth of NYU from the late 1880s through 1924. The series also includes speeches and articles written by MacCracken and others in support of the University's goals. Topics include potential sites for additional campus buildings, mergers with other New York City universities, and donor relations. Other materials found in this section relate to commencement activities.