Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
Guide to the Community Free University Records, 1971-1999
Cage 712
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
- Creator
- Brians, Paul
- Title
- Community Free University Records
- ID
- Cage 712
- Date [inclusive]
- 1971-1999
- Extent
- 1.0 oversize box
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- The collection consists of issues of the bulletin of the Community Free University, which offered free courses to residents of the Palouse and surrounding communities for thirty years. The collection also includes a file of news clippings as well as miscellaneous items.
Preferred Citation
[Item description] Community Free University Records, 1971-1999
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections Washington State University Libraries Pullman, WA
Biographical/Historical note
A Pullman (Wash.) counter-culture educational program conducted largely by students and faculty of Washington State University, Community Free University offered courses to residents of the Palouse and surrounding communities. A history written in 1999 by Washington State University English professor Paul Brians, an organizer and coordinator of the movement, explained the vision established for the Pullman program: "We would let anyone teach anything to anyone so long as the content wasn't positively illegal. The fee for a course would be a minimal one dollar. No exams, no requirements, and--most significant of all--no pay for the teachers. This was to be a strictly volunteer effort" (http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/cfu.html). An example of the eclectic mix of courses taught through the years can be seen in the Fall 1976 Free University bulletin offerings which included Yoga, Sewing, Radical Agriculture, Balinese Massage, Food Drying, Chess and Home Brewing. Professor Brians' history attributed the end of Pullman's Community Free University in the spring of 1999 to a dwindling number of students and available instructors.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of issues of the bulletin produced by the Community Free University in Pullman, Washington listing information about the program and the lists of courses offered to interested participants. The collection also includes a file of news clippings and several miscellaneous items.
Organization of Collection
The collection is arranged in 2 series:
Series 1: Community Free University Bulletins, 1971-1999. Series 2: Clippings related to Community Free University, 1980s-1990s.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries 2013
https://libraries.wsu.edu/mascTerrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Acquisition Information
This collection was donated to the Washington State University Libraries by Paul Brians in 2000 (MS 2000-16).
Related Materials
Related Materials
Paul Brians Papers (MS.2008.13)
Controlled Access Headings
Subject(s)
- Alternative education--Washington (State)--Pullman
- Civic Activism
- Community Free University (Pullman, Washington)