The Associates of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art CUAA Council Meeting July 24, 2013

Who are the Associates of Cooper Union? Charter/Deed of Trust calls for the Trustees to organize a society called The Associates of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, “ the objects and purposes of which shall be the encouragement of science, arts, manufacture & commerce,” with a primary purpose of public improvement.

Who are the Associates of Cooper Union? (cont.) Inspired by the Royal Society of the Arts in London, Associates’ membership would be broad including graduates of the institution, members of the trustees, professional societies, public servants, NYC school teachers, members of the press and others.

Structure of the Associates of Cooper Union Council of the Associates- Alumni Professional/Trade Orgs PressCivil Servants NYC Teachers Others BoT would prescribe the conditions and terms of the Society of the Associates, and the Associates would in turn create their own rules and elect a Governing Council of at least 24 Members.

What privileges do the Associates have? Access to a room to hold their meetings Receive an annual account from BoT rendered under oath of their receipts and expenses. Provide recommendations to the BoT Fill vacancy in BoT by election Remove a Trustee w/ vote of Majority of Council

Sounds Great! How come I’ve never heard of them? “The Associates never materialized, chiefly because none of the other trustees were able to figure out who Mr. Cooper wanted the Associates to be or what they were expected to do.” -Geoffrey T. Hellman, New Yorker August 21, 1937

So What Happened? “Through no one’s fault the ‘Associates’ never did get organized. The second report of the trustees in 1861 voiced the hope that they soon would be and published the prospective rules in full; in 1864 a pamphlet was printed on the subject and scientists were urged to take the lead in setting up the organization; in 1865 Peter gave the American Geographical Society, of which he was one of the oldest members, rooms in the Union as temporary headquarters. But that was all that ever came of the ‘Associates,’ despite Hewitt’s efforts to get the Lyceum of Natural History and other scientific groups to meet at Cooper Union.” -Edward Mack, Peter Cooper: Citizen of New York, 1949

Timeline 1859: Charter and Deed of Trust call for Associates 1860: 1 st Annual Trustees Report declares intention of formation and list of initial invitees 1861: 2 nd Annual Trustees Report drafts Rules and Regulations 1868: Annual Report suggests creation of Associates would help in fundraising for polytechnical school 1897: Annual Report calls for creation to help diffuse knowledge and bridge gap between wage earners and employers. 1972: Despite never having been formed, all the language in the original charter and deed of trust concerning the establishment of the Society of Associates and its Council have been retained in the amended Charter : Call to Establish the Associates of Cooper Union

What could the Establishment of the Associates do for Cooper Union today? Broaden Cooper Union’s engagement with and impact on the wider community, Aid in fundraising and expand donor base outside Cooper Community Enhance the governance by providing a mechanism for dialogue between Community and BoT and provide check & balance on the activities of the BoT. Complete an unfulfilled mandate in the Cooper Union’s Charter.

For more info: Charter of Cooper Union and Early Annual Reports: Summary of The Associates of Cooper Union:

Student Trustee Workgroup Forms Workgroup explores and recommends formation of Associates by 12/1/13 BoT votes to Establish Associates Associates create Rules of Governance and elect 24 member Council Discussion and Next Steps Motion to draft a proposal to Alumni Trustees Alumni Trustees present Proposal to BoT BoT votes to Establishes Society of Associates as called for in the Charter Associates create Rules for Governance and elect 24 member Council