acpa generativity project

Prosser-Gelwick sent a draft text to Komives for the “Task Statement for the Generativity Project.” The first report of Generativity Project progress was documented in the minutes of the October 20-22, 1982 Executive Council meeting:

Generativity Project – Beverly Prosser-Gelwick
The report on the generativity project consisted of sharing information having to do with “Master” teachers representing both a theoretical, as well as a practical orientation period. Videotape reproductions of Master Teachers could be sold at cost or rented to interested institutions. The presentation could consist of a combination of lectures as well as dialogues involving recognized Master Teachers in the field of Student Affairs. In addition there would be considerations for including written pieces to serve as companion tools with the proposed video tape presentation.

Prosser-Gelwick informed Bill Bryan (ACPA President 1984-85) ”that I will be stepping down from the chairpersonship of the Generativity Project as of the 1984 Convention in Baltimore.” And continuing with “My recommendation is that you appoint Lelia Moore, who has worked closely with me on the Generativity Project, to replace me in Baltimore.” Moore, accepted this appointment and served as chair from 1984 to 1987.

The Midyear Report of Generativity: Graduate Education and Professional Development via Media (1st use of this new name) reiterated the original charge to the committee and enumerated the progress from 1982 to 1984. 

Dennis Roberts (ACPA President 1985-86) sent appointment letters to Generativity Project members (Moore, Ender, Barr, Rodgers, Knefelkamp, Murrell, Gelwick, Raines).

Annual Report 1984-85 for Generativity: Graduate Education and Professional Development via Media, highlights included:

• launched field testing of two video-taped learning projects (including Knefelkamp PTP model)
• established a process for developing facilitators’ instructions for the use of these two learning projects
• reviewed the taped interviews with Arthur Chickering, Nevitt Sanford, and Lee Knefelkamp, which were produced by John Whitely
• developed the first draft of a set of instructions for persons who might wish to make future video-taped projects
• began the process of establishing a division of labor with Media Board and AACD regarding procedures for copyrighting, marketing, and distributing products.

Glenn Nicholls (1986 ACPA New Orleans Convention Program Chair) sent a letter to Moore indicating the desire to highlight the Generativity Project at the 1986 convention. The theme for the convention was designated as GENERATIVITY = A commitment to the Learning Process – ACPA, April 9-12, 1986,  (Dennis Roberts, President) with the following focus statement:

“Central to the ideals of higher education is a sense of continuity between the past, present, and future. Without knowledge of the past we lack a sense of shared experience from which to learn in the present, while without the future we lack a sense of direction. New Orleans 1986 will focus on the generative process of shaping the future by actively caring for our students, our colleagues, our institutions, and ourselves as beneficiaries of the learning process.”

Glenn Nicholls (1986 ACPA New Orleans Convention Program Chair) sent a letter to Moore indicating the desire to highlight the Generativity Project at the 1986 convention. The theme for the convention was designated as GENERATIVITY = A commitment to the Learning Process – ACPA, April 9-12, 1986,  (Dennis Roberts, President) with the following focus statement:

“Central to the ideals of higher education is a sense of continuity between the past, present, and future. Without knowledge of the past we lack a sense of shared experience from which to learn in the present, while without the future we lack a sense of direction. New Orleans 1986 will focus on the generative process of shaping the future by actively caring for our students, our colleagues, our institutions, and ourselves as beneficiaries of the learning process.”

A letter from Moore to the Generativity Group reiterated the outcomes of 1985 Boston Convention meeting including; resolution that only the Nevitt Sanford Whiteley tape was being accepted with Emil Spees designated to prepare accompanying materials for the Sanford tape. The letter also proposed new work, including profiling the Generativity Project at the 1986 ACPA Convention. 

Report of the Generativity Committee, including reference to the clarification of the working relationships with the ACPA Media Board and update on marketing and distribution from Scott Rickard.

Letter from Nichols to Moore about incorporating Generativity videotapes into upcoming 1986 Convention program. Three tapes (Sanford, Blacks in American higher education, and Knefelkamp’s PTP) were shown at several times to allow for broadest exposure.

The lecture notes of Marvalene Styles Hughes (ACPA President 1987-88) on “Blacks in Higher Education: Two Decades Under Scrutiny” were prepared and release forms signed for the videotape of the same name.

Letter from Moore to Motion Picture Laboratories in Memphis in reference to the three videotapes having been sent in preparation for distribution on request.

Memo from Moore to Generativity Committee on various issues: update that AACD had the 3 videotapes and were ready to distribute but that Motion Picture Laboratories was having trouble copying them, resulting in a backlog of orders; committee assignments to complete an ambitious array of project work for the year.

Letter from Moore to Roberts confirming authorization to move ahead with a videotape “Conversation with Esther Lloyd Jones.” Roberts confirmed (January 29, 1987) commitment to complete the Esther Lloyd Jones videotape.

These dates were proposed for a “Symposium on the Interface between Student Affairs practice and preparation.” The proposal was presumably drafted by Ted Miller (TKM 5/86 is at the bottom of the 2nd page). The Symposium was referenced in Moore’s July 1, 1986, memorandum to the Generativity Committee and that year’s budget allocation included funding to tape it. 

Memorandum from Moore to Generativity Committee confirming March 17, 1987, meeting at convention and agenda. A budget proposal and Annual Report for the committee were included. The Annual Report communicated the cancellation of the February 15-17, 1987, Symposium at the University of Maryland and redirected the budget that was allocated for it to fund the Esther Lloyd Jones videotape. The end of the report recommended establishing Generativity Committee as a sub-group within the Media Board.

Letter from Komives to Moore reflecting on the latest ACPA Convention and the importance of focusing on the application of student development to practice.

Memorandum from Moore to Komives handing responsibility for the Generativity Committee to her as the new Chair. Moore provided background information to help with the transition. Concern over the quality of the first videotapes was raised with a recommendation that any future products should be studio production quality. Komives served as chair from 1987 to 1988.

Letter from Roberts to Komives and Rickard about the completion of the Esther Lloyd-Jones videotape. This correspondence included the proposed discussion guide, a guide to future video production, and request for reimbursement of expenses.

Memorandum from Komives to Generativity Committee, including reference to the availability of the Esther Lloyd-Jones and Knefelkamp P-T-P videotapes. A videotape of Bob Rodgers is described, declined producing Convention keynote speaker videotape, and ACPA By-laws changes and marketing/pricing of Generativity videotapes.

Letter from Hughes to Komives that By-laws changes for Generativity Committee were being forward to Pat Kearney (ACPA President 1988-89) for action.