This collection provides a brief overview of the activities of the University of Wisconsin
Urban Teaching Research Extension Program through reports, correspondence, conference
materials, bibliographies, and limited meeting minutes. Progress reports to the Ford
Foundation and University Faculty detail the execution of the program's goals and the
challenges it faced, such as reorienting departments to respond to urban needs and
developing an urban extension program. Furthermore, the recommendations made to the Ford
Foundation Documents pertaining to the June 22, 1961 "Local Government Problems in the Fox
Valley" conference such as reports and conference papers illustrate how community members
influenced the activities pursued by the program. For example, a summary of a conference
work session documents what attendees deemed the most important governmental problems they
faced, such as traffic and parking issues, land use programs, school construction and
improvement, and intergovernmental cooperation.
The materials also document James R. Donoghue's research on "The States and the Urban
Problem" funded by the program in greater detail. It includes data, research notes,
correspondence, meeting notes, and surveys of government officials. Donoghue's meeting notes
and surveys conducted for "The States and the Urban Problem" detail officials' perspectives
on the relationships between city and state governments and challenges facing their offices.
These records also include correspondence with mayors, governors, and other officials. The
collection also includes research materials, data, outlines, and clippings related to the
"Urban Oriented Legislation in Wisconsin" project.
