Title: Oral History Interview with Stephen B. Schneider
Inclusive Dates: 1977 July 11

Creator:

• Schneider, Stephen B.

Call Number: Tape 641A

Quantity: 1 tape recording (27 min.)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Tape-recorded oral history interview by Erika Thickman of the Historical Society staff with Stephen B. Schneider about the initial organization of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) and its efforts to establish a funding mechanism. Schneider was a University of Wisconsin law school graduate who served as secretary to the WISPIRG board of directors and advised them on legal matters.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-tape00641a

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Stephen B. Schneider became involved with the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) in late 1971 or early 1972, during his last semester as a law student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as secretary of WISPIRG's State Board of Directors, and advised them on legal matters. He drew up the contracts for the fundraising mechanism between the University of Wisconsin and the WISPIRG affiliates at Green Bay and Madison. But these were never signed, and, due to lack of adequate funds, the organization was officially disbanded October 19, 1974, though most activity had ceased by early 1973.

Interview

I [interviewer Erika Thickman] arranged the interview with Schneider, now an aide to Assemblyman James Rutkowski, in order to supplement the WISPIRG collection in the Archives Division of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. I taped him in an empty office at the State Capitol in Madison. His remarks concern the early organization of WISPIRG and the frustration of attempting to establish a funding mechanism for the group.

Abstract to the Interview

The tapes for this interview have two tracks: a voice track containing the discussion and a time track containing time announcements at intervals of approximately five seconds. The abstract lists, in order of discussion, the topics covered on each tape, and indicates the time-marking at which point the beginning of the particular discussion appears.

Thus, the researcher by using a tape recorder's fast-forward button may find expeditiously and listen to discrete segments without listening to all of the taped discussion. For instance, the user who wishes to listen to the topic on “EARLY ORGANIZATION OF WISPIRG” should locate the place on the second track of tape one, side one, where the voice announces the 01:05 time-marking (the voice says at this point, “one minute, five seconds”), and at this point switch to the first track to hear the discussion. The discussion on “EARLY ORGANIZATION OF WISPIRG” continues until approximately 02:35 at which point discussion of the next topic (“EXTENT OF STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION”) begins.

Notice that in most cases sentences beneath each headline explain more about the contents of the topic. For example the sentences underneath “EARLY ORGANIZATION OF WISPIRG” give further details on what appears on the tape between 01:05 and 02:35.

The abstract is designed to provide only a brief outline of the content of the tapes and cannot serve as a substitute for listening to them.

The records of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) (call number Mss 344) are held by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared by Erika J. Thickman, July 25, 1977.

Tape/Side   1/1 Time   00:00	INTRODUCTION
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   00:30	BEGINNING OF SCHNEIDER'S ACTIVITIES IN WISPIRG Scope and Content Note: Learned of organization from fellow law student in late 1971 or early 1972, and became involved.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   01:05	EARLY ORGANIZATION OF WISPIRG Scope and Content Note: A small group of students had been given $5,000.00 from Ralph Nader's group to begin drive to establish WISPIRG. Had gotten 13,000 students' signatures on petition to assess students small fee to support group.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   02:35	EXTENT OF STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION Scope and Content Note: Initial efforts were begun in Madison with the help of Nader's people, but soon spread to other University of Wisconsin campuses.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   04:00	STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED Scope and Content Note: Schneider's involvement as secretary of initial Board to incorporate WISPIRG. First state board of directors elected; initial members of organization.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   06:15	BOB PARK'S RESPONSIBILITIES Scope and Content Note: Park served as WISPIRG's organizer, fund-raiser, executive director, and the only paid staff member.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   07:15	FUND RAISING Scope and Content Note: Operation of funding mechanism, method of getting con- tracts between WISPIRGs at Green Bay and Madison, and the University of Wisconsin. Problems getting signatures from chancellors for the funding arrangement. UW-Madison's Wisconsin Student Association voluntary payment packet as alternative to funding mechanism and problems encountered.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   13:30	EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN CAMPUSES CONCERNING WISPIRG Scope and Content Note: About 100 volunteers were trained to talk with students about WISPIRG. Student and faculty support for group.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   14:45	EDUCATIONAL CREDIT FOR WISPIRG PROJECTS Scope and Content Note: Student research on projects for educational credit by various departments at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Green Bay campuses.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   17:20	RESEARCH PROJECTS Scope and Content Note: Did fairly simple projects because of the lack of funds. Discusses projected research topics.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   21:10	STATE BOARD MEETINGS Scope and Content Note: About six meetings held on various campuses. Sense of coordination and cooperation. Administrative policies of WISPIRG.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   24:20	FRUSTRATION WITH UNIVERSITY BUREAUCRACY Scope and Content Note: Middle and upper-level administrators frustrated the establishment of WISPIRG.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   26:25	END OF INTERVIEW