THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY c A 2fcu. A Aia* \...' ....... .. Ot )H£ »«»»vmiTv or illmmw. THE RULES AND BY-LAWS OP THE Boarb of ©Deraecre of fyatvaxb ^allege TO WHICH IS APPENDED THE COLLEGE CHASTER WITH SUNDRY ACTS AND INSTRUMENTS RELATING TO THE ELECTION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE OVERSEERS CAMBRIDGE, MASS. publfsbefc bs tbe *ani\>erstt£ 1909 In Board of Overseers of Harvard College, February 25, 1869. Resolved, That the Rules and By-Laws of the Board of Overseers as they now stand be printed, and be bound up in the existing books of the Rules, By-Laws, Charter, and other Acts and Instruments relating to the powers and duties of the Overseers, in place of the Rules and By-Laws and their Amendments now in such books, being the first eighteen pages of said books, and the Amendments to the same. Attest : NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, Secretary. In Board of Overseers of Harvard College, November 20, 1889. Voted, That the Secretary be requested to have printed a new edition of the Rules and By-Laws of the Board. Attest : ALEXANDER McKENZIE, Secretary. In Board of Overseers of Harvard College, November 19, 1902. Voted, That the Secretary of the Board be instructed to prepare a new and revised edition of the Rules and By-Laws of the Board, and cause the same to be printed, and a copy sent to each member. Attest : WINTHROP H. WADE, Secretary. In Board of Overseers of Harvard College, January 13, 1909. Voted, That the Secretary of the Board be instructed to prepare a new and revised edition of the Rules and By-Laws of the Board, and cause the same to be printed, and a copy sent to each member. Attest: WINTHROP H. WADE, Secretary. RULES AND BY-LAWS OF THE OVERSEERS OF HARVARD COLLEGE c OFFICERS Section 1. — The officers of the Board shall be a President and Secretary. Sect. 2. — The President shall be elected by ballot, at each annual meeting; and shall hold his office for one year, and until his successor is chosen, if he so long con- tinues a member of the Board. When a vacancy exists at any other time, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term. In the absence of the President, a president ^pro tempore shall be chosen by ballot. Sect. 3. — The Secretary, who may or may not be a /member of the Board, shall be elected by ballot at the ^annual meeting in the year 1868, and every third year V thereafter, and shall hold his office for the term of three -years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. When a vacancy occurs at any other time, it shall be i filled by election for the remainder of the term. In the . absence of the Secretary, a secretary pro tempore shall be 6/3 chosen. 282533 4 RULES AND BY-LAWS MEETINGS Section 4. — The annual meeting of the Overseers shall be held in Boston on the last Wednesday of Sep- tember. The other stated meetings shall be held at Cambridge on Commencement Day, and at Boston on the second Wednesdays of January, April, May, October, December, and on the last Wednesday of February in each year, at some central place to be selected by the Secretary, unless designated by the Board. Special meetings will be convened upon application made to the Secretary, in writing, by the President of the Board, by the President or President and Fellows of the College, or by seven or more Overseers, setting forth the object of the meeting, its time and its place, either in Cambridge or Boston. Meetings may be held by adjournment at such times and places as the Board shall order. Sect. 5. — Notice of all meetings of the Board shall be given by the Secretary, or in case of his absence, inability, or neglect, or of a vacancy in the office, by the President; the notification of the meeting to specify its time and place, and, if a special one, its object; and to be mailed to the address of each member at least seven days before the time of the meeting. Provided, that in the case of a special meeting, alleged in the application therefor to be one of great urgency, notice will be sufficient if mailed four days before the same. And provided further, that when the Board adjourns to a certain day the Secretary, RULES AND BY-LAWS 5 or in case of his inability the President, shall mail a notice of such adjourned meeting to each member of the Board. Sect. 6. — The votes and proceedings of the Overseers, with the names of the members present at each meeting, shall be recorded; and the record shall be produced by the Secretary at the Overseers' meetings. At the open- ing of every meeting the journal of the preceding meeting shall be read by the Secretary, unless otherwise ordered. Sect. 7. — The Secretary shall have a list of the Over- seers ready to be produced at any meeting. He shall also acquaint the presiding officer, in writing, what Committees have not reported, and what business is by assignment to come before the Board. Sect. 8. — A quorum of not less than nine members shall be requisite for the transaction of any business, except adjourning, or obtaining the attendance of members. Sect. 9. — There shall always be presented an attested copy of such votes of the Corporation as are laid before the Overseers for their confirmation; and the Secretary shall, from time to time, and as soon as conveniently may be, deliver to the President of the University an attested copy of the votes of the Overseers, to be by him communi- cated to the Corporation. Sect. 10. — The Overseers will not receive any votes from the Corporation as to giving degrees on Commence- 6 RULES AND BY-LAWS ment Day, except such as shall be presented before ten o'clock in the forenoon of that day; and the grounds and reasons of the Corporation for conferring occasional degrees shall be laid before the Overseers. Sect. 11. — When the consent of the Overseers shall be asked to a vote of the Corporation electing any person to be a member of the Corporation, an officer of instruction or government, or a lecturer in the University, or conferring on any person an honorary degree, the vote shall be taken as it is taken on other questions unless some member shall ask that a ballot be had, in which case the decision shall be by ballot; except in the case of officers of instruction or government appointed for not more than one year. Sect. 12. — Names of candidates for honorary degrees shall be referred to a Committee of the Board appointed by the President, to report recommendation. A name not recommended by this Committee shall not be voted upon by the Board unless a vote is requested by seven members of the Board. Sect. 13. — No nomination of a member of the Corpora- tion or of a permanent Professor shall be ratified by the Board except at a meeting or adjournment held on seven days' notice; nor shall any such nomination be finally acted on at the meeting or adjournment at which it shall have been made. Sect. 14. — All Committees shall be nominated by the presiding officer, excepting in those cases where it may be RULES AND BY-LAWS 7 otherwise determined by the Overseers; and the person first named shall be chairman. Sect. 15. — When any member shall require a ques- tion to be determined by yeas and nays, the President shall take the sense of the Board in that manner, provided that one fourth part of the members present shall be in favor of it. Sect. 16. — Whenever a question shall be taken by yeas and nays, the Secretary shall call the names of all the members, except the President; and no member shall be permitted to vote after the decision is announced from the chair. Sect. 17. — No member shall speak more than once on one question, to the prevention of any other who has not spoken, and is desirous to speak; nor more than twice, without leave of the Board. Sect. 18. — When two or more members rise at once, the President shall name the member who is to speak first. Sect. 19. — Every member, when he speaks, shall stand in his place, and address the presiding officer as "M . President/' and shall confine himself to the question under debate. Sect. 20. — No member speaking shall be interrupted by another, but by rising to call to order. Sect. 21. — After a question is put to vote, no member shall speak to it. 8 RULES AND BY-LAWS Sect. 22. — Every motion shall be reduced to writing if the President direct it; and no member shall be permitted to lay a motion in writing on the table, until he has read it in his place. Sect. 23. — A question containing two or more proposi- tions capable of division shall be divided, whenever desired by any member. Sect. 24. — If any member shall rise to doubt a vote upon its being declared from the chair, the President shall ascertain the number voting in the affirmative and in the negative, without any further debate. He may vote on all questions; but shall not be required to do to, unless the Board shall be equally divided, or unless his vote, if given in the minority, would affect the result. Sect. 25. — When a vote has passed, it shall be in order for any member to move a reconsideration on the same day; and, when a motion for reconsideration is decided, that decision shall not be reconsidered. Sect. 26. — The rules of parliamentary proceeding, as received and practised in the Legislature of this Common- wealth, shall govern the Board in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these Rules and By-Laws. RULES AND BY-LAWS 9 COMMITTEES Section 27. — There shall be the following Committees, — the first to consist wholly of ex-officio members; the others to be appointed at the annual meeting, or at some subsequent meeting, in such manner as the Board may determine : — 1. A Committee to visit the University, to consist of the President and Secretary of this Board, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Board of Education, and the Chairman of each of the several committees appointed to visit the departments of the University. This Committee shall be invited to attend the annual Commencement and other public exercises of the University, or any of its departments, and to represent this Board and the Commonwealth thereat; the President of the College, or some other officer charged with the duty, giving the members of said Committee due notice of such occasions. 2. The following Standing Committees of the Board of Overseers : — (a) Committee on Elections. (b) Committee on Reports and Resolutions. The Committee on Elections shall consist of five members and the Committee on Reports and Resolutions of seven members, all of whom shall be elective members of this Board. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Reports and Resolutions to receive the annual reports of the several committees after they have been read before this Board, and consider and report whether any, and, if any, what action is called for by the same; and also to attend to any 10 RULES AND BY-LAWS other business that may be referred to them from time to time by this Board, and report thereon. 3. A Committee to visit the Divinity School. 4. A Committee to visit the Law School. 5. A Committee to visit the Medical and Dental Schools, 6. A Committee to visit the Bussey Institution. 7. A Committee to visit the Library. 8. A Committee to visit the Observatory. 9. A Committee to visit the Botanic Garden and Botan- ical Museum. 10. A Committee to visit the Gray Herbarium. 11. A Committee to visit the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 12. A Committee to visit the Peabody Museum. 13. A Committee to visit the Germanic Museum. 14. A Committee to visit the Arnold Arboretum. 15. A Committee to visit the Semitic Museum and Divi- sion of Semitic Languages and History. 16. A Committee to visit the Fogg Museum and the Department of Fine Arts. 17. A Committee to visit the Lawrence Scientific School and the Graduate School of Applied Science. 18. A Committee to visit the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 19. A Committee to visit the Jefferson Physical Labora- tory and Department of Physics. 20. A Committee to visit the Chemical Laboratory. 21. A Committee to visit the Stillman Infirmary. 22. A Committee to visit the Graduate School of Business Administration. 23. A Committee on Physical Training and Athletic Sports. 24. A Committee on the Administration of the University Chapel. 25. A Committee to examine the Treasurer's Accounts. RULES AND BY-LAWS 11 Each of the foregoing committees to visit schools or departments shall consist of six or more members, of whom at least one shall be an elective member of this Board, except in the case of the Committee on Treasurer's Accounts, of which Committee not less than three shall be elective members of this Board. Persons not members of the Board of Overseers may be appointed to serve on any of the visiting committees. 26. A Committee to visit the College, to consist of at least six members, of whom not less than four shall be elective members of this Board. The duty of this Com- mittee shall be to learn what are the methods of govern- ment and instruction in the College, and to take such measures as in their judgment will best enable them to report in full on the conditions, wants, and prospects of the institution. 27. A Committee on the relation of the University to Secondary Schools, to consist of nine members, of whom three shall be members of the Board of Overseers, three members of the Committee on Admission of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and three shall be elected from among the heads or instructors of Secondary Schools. In addition to the foregoing committees, there shall each year be such other committees to visit and examine into the Courses of Instruction as the Board shall appoint at the annual meeting or at some subsequent meeting. Such committees shall consist of not less than three members, and persons not Overseers may be appointed to serve upon them. The members of all committees shall be notified of their appointment, with a request that they serve, by the Secre- tary of the Board, unless otherwise ordered. When a vacancy occurs in a committee, the chairman shall imme- diately notify the Secretary of the Board. 12 RULES AND BY-LAWS Sect. 28. — The several Visiting Committees of the Departments of the University and those appointed to visit and examine into the Courses of Instruction, may employ paid experts or specialists to aid them in the per- formance of their duties when authorized so to do by a vote of the Board of Overseers. Any Committee desiring such expert assistance shall first submit for approval a written application to the Board, setting forth the nature and estimated cost thereof. Sect. 29. — The several Visiting Committees shall re- port in writing at least once in three years, and their reports when presented shall at once be referred to the Committee on Reports and Resolutions, unless the member presenting any report shall desire to read the same before the Board, in which case the report after such reading and any discus- sion shall be. referred as above, unless otherwise ordered. Each Committee shall hold early in the academic year at least one meeting with all the Professors and Assistant Professors in the Department or Course of Instruction such Committee is appointed to visit, in order to receive sugges- tions, inquire into defects and needs, hear complaints, and give encouragement and counsel. Sect. 30. — The apparatus, libraries, and scientific collections belonging to the several departments of the University shall be examined and reported on by the Com- mittees appointed to visit said departments respectively. RULES AND BY-LAWS 13 Sect. 31. — After the report of the Committee on Reports and Resolutions is received and acted upon by this Board, the reports of the Visiting Committees shall annually be printed in a volume for the use of this Board and of the officers of instruction of the University. A certified copy of the record of the action of the Committee on Reports and Resolutions, with the printed volume of Reports on which it is founded, shall be referred to the Corporation. ELECTIONS Section 32. — The election of Overseers on Commence- ment Day in each year shall be held in some suitable room within the College Yard, in Cambridge; notice of the time and place of which, and of the hours during which the polls will be kept open, and of the number of Overseers to be elected, shall be given by the President and Secretary, by publication in two newspapers printed in the city of Boston, the first publication to be two weeks before the day of election. Sect. 33. — At some meeting before each election, there shall be appointed by the Board, upon nomination by the President, one principal and two or more assistant inspectors of polls, who, before entering upon their duties, shall be sworn to the faithful discharge thereof. Sect. 34. — The President and Secretary shall issue a warrant under their hands to the persons appointed inspec- tors of polls; specifying the number of Overseers to be elected, and the terms for which they are to be chosen, and 14 RULES AND BY-LAWS directing said inspectors to conduct the election in manner and form as the law provides, with such other instructions as to their duties as may be deemed proper; and shall fur- nish said inspectors with a record book and a complete list of the persons qualified to vote, to be used as a check-list. Sect. 35. — The inspectors shall carefully preserve all the ballots cast, and after making their record thereof, shall cause the same to be sealed up in an envelope, which shall be indorsed with a certificate, under their hands, that the same contains all the ballots cast at the election for the officers therein specified, and none other. Immediately after the election, they shall deliver such envelope, so sealed and indorsed, with said record book, upon which they shall have entered their records, and said check-list, to the Secre- tary of the Board. Sect. 36. — The Secretary shall forthwith notify the persons who appear by the records of the inspectors to be elected; and such persons shall be entitled to their seats as members, except as provided in the following section, and subject to the decision of the Board upon their right to hold the same. Sect. 37. — When a person is elected to fill a vacancy, he shall not be entitled to hold his seat until the Board shall have decided his right thereto, if the person in whose place he was elected appears and claims the same. Sect. 38. — The records and papers of the inspectors of polls shall be laid before the Board at the next assembling RULES AND BY-LAWS 15 thereof after the election, and the same shall be referred to the Committee on Elections for their examination and report; but they need not examine the ballots returned, unless specially directed so to do by the Board. ALTERATION AND SUSPENSION OF RULES Section 39. — Any rule or by-law may be altered or repealed by a vote of two thirds of the members present and voting, at a meeting held at least seven days after a meeting at which the alteration or repeal is proposed; and the notice for such meeting shall state that it is proposed to change the rules and by-laws. Any rule or by-law may be suspended by a vote of two thirds of the members present and voting, except any rule requiring a decision to be by ballot, which shall only be suspended by the unanimous consent of the members present; and except the rule in relation to the meeting and time at which the nomination of a member of the Corporation, or of a permanent pro- fessor, may be ratified or finally acted upon by the Board, which shall never be suspended. RULES OF THE BOAED OF OVERSEERS ADOPTED DECEMBER 2, 1891 UPON REQUEST OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE ALUMNI, ESTABLISHING THE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT AND PRESCRIBING THE FORM THEREOF, AND THE METHOD OF MAKING NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF OVERSEERS NOMINATION OF OVERSEERS — AUSTRALIAN BALLOT Nominations of candidates for election as Overseers, to a number double the number of vacancies to be filled, may be made by the Association of the Alumni in such manner as the Association shall prescribe. Nominations of one or more candidates may also be made by the alumni of the College of five years' standing, by certificate signed by not less than one hundred of such alumni. All nominations shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Over- seers and filed at the office of the Board ten days at least prior to Commencement Day. In case there shall be a failure so to file nominations to a number double the number of Overseers to be elected, the committee hereinafter provided for may cause to be made such number of nominations as they shall deem expedient. The names of all the candidates so nominated, who are eligible for election, shall be printed on an official ballot. There shall be added, upon the ballot, to the name of each candidate, his residence, the year of his graduation at Harvard College, if he is a graduate of the College, or if a graduate of one of the professional schools of Harvard University and not of the College, the name of the School and the year of his graduation; or, if a graduate of another 20 AUSTRALIAN BALLOT college, the name of such college and the year of his gradu- ation ; and there shall also be added the years of his previous service, if any, on the Board of Overseers. Names of Overseers eligible for re-election shall, accord- ing to seniority of service upon the Board, and, when of equal previous service upon the Board, according to years of graduation in the College, be placed at the head of the list of candidates upon the ballot. Names of other candi- dates who are graduates of the College or of the profes- sional schools shall follow in the order of their graduation. When two or more candidates are of the same year, their names shall be put in alphabetical order. Names of candi- dates who are not graduates of Harvard College or of its professional schools shall be placed after those of Harvard graduates in alphabetical order. There shall be left at the end of the list of candidates as many blank spaces as there are Overseers to be elected, in which spaces the voter may write or insert the name of any person, not printed on the ballot, for whom he desires to vote. A square of sufficient size to contain a cross mark [X] shall be printed on the right of the line containing the name of each candidate, and at the right of each blank space provided for the writing or insertion of other names to be voted for. There shall be a statement upon the face of the ballot of the number of Overseers to be elected, and for what terms they are to be elected; and such further information or instruction to the voter as may be judged AUSTRALIAN BALLOT 21 necessary; as, for instance, the words "vote for not more than six/' "mark a cross [X] in the square at the right of the name of each candidate for whom you intend to vote." If a candidate is nominated, not by the Association of Alumni, but by a certificate signed by alumni, a statement of such fact shall be added to his name upon the ballot. Upon the back of the ballot shall be printed the words "Official Ballot for Overseers of Harvard College," and the date of the election, with a fac-simile of the signature of the Secretary of the Board of Overseers. The names of all the Overseers in service with their respective terms of ser- vice shall also be printed upon the back of the ballot. Each elector qualified to vote for Overseers shall, on application to the inspectors of polls at the voting place, receive an official ballot. He shall prepare his ballot for the purpose of voting by marking, in the square provided therefor, a cross [X] at the right of the name of each candi- date of his choice, or by writing or inserting the name of any candidate not printed in the official ballot, in the blank space provided for the purpose, and by marking a cross [X] in the square at the right of the name so written or inserted. In offering his ballot for deposit in the ballot box, he shall present it for the inspection of the inspectors of polls with the official endorsement hereinbefore required uppermost. None but official ballots shall be received or counted. Ballots shall be counted as cast only for those candidates against whose names crosses have been marked as above 22 AUSTRALIAN BALLOT required, and no regard shall be given to marks made out- side of the squares printed upon the ballots. If more names are duly marked in the manner required than there are Overseers to be elected, the entire ballot shall be set aside and not counted. The inspectors of polls may furnish an official ballot to an elector who has already received one or more ballots, in place of a ballot which has been spoiled or defaced. The official ballots shall be furnished by the Board of Overseers, and shall be prepared under the supervision of a committee of the Overseers to be appointed for the pur- pose, who shall, subject to the provisions of law, also have general supervision of the election. The committee shall, as early as possible after the expiration of the time for filing nominations, cause the list of nominations received to be printed in two or more newspapers in Boston, substantially in the manner in which they are to appear upon the official ballot; and they shall cause sample ballots, without the fac-simile endorsement, together with information as to the manner of making nominations and of voting, to be prepared and to be posted and placed in the polling room in such numbers as they shall deem expedient. CHARTER AND LAWS CHARTER AND LAWS The Act establishing the Overseers of Harvard College. At a General Court held at Boston, on the 8th of September, in the year 16 42. Whereas, through the good hand of God upon us, there is a College founded in Cambridge, in the County of Middlesex, called Harvard College, for the encour- agement whereof this Court has given the sum of four hundred pounds, and also the revenue of the ferry betwixt Charlestown and Boston, and that the well ordering and managing of the said College is of great concernment, — It is therefore ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that the Governor and Deputy-Governor for the time being, and all the magistrates of this jurisdiction, together with the teaching elders of the six next adjoin- ing towns, — viz., Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester, — and the President of the said College for the time being, shall, from time to time, have full power and authority to make and establish all such orders, statutes, and constitutions as they shall see necessary for the instituting, guiding, and furthering of the said College, and the several members thereof, from time 26 ACT ESTABLISHING BOARD OF OVERSEERS to time, in piety, morality, and learning; as also to dispose, order, and manage, to the use and behoof of the said College and the members thereof, all gifts, legacies, bequeaths, revenues, lands, and donations, as either have been, are, or shall be conferred, bestowed, or in any ways shall fall or come to the said College. And whereas it may come to pass that many of the said magistrates and elders may be absent, or otherwise employed in other weighty affairs, when the College may need their present help and counsel, — It is therefore ordered, that the greater number of magistrates and elders which shall be present, with the President, shall have the power of the whole. Provided, that if any constitution, order, or orders, by them made, shall be found hurtful unto the said College, or the members thereof, or to the weal public, then, upon appeal of the party or parties grieved unto the company of Overseers first mentioned, they shall repeal the said order or orders, if they shall see cause, at their next meeting, or stand accountable thereof to the next General Court. [This act is copied from "The General Laws of the Massachusetts Colony, revised and published by order of the General Court in October, 1658"; which was the second edition of the Laws of the Colony, and was printed in 1660. It varies slightly in phraseology from the Act contained in the Records of the General Court, vol. ii, page 24.] CHARTER 27 II The Charter of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, under the seal of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, and bearing date May 31, a.d. 1650. Whereas, through the good hand of God, many well- devoted persons have been, and daily are, moved and stirred up to give and bestow sundry gifts, legacies, lands, and revenues, for the advancement of all good literature, arts, and sciences, in Harvard College, in Cambridge, in the County of Middlesex, and to the maintenance of the President and Fellows, and for all accommodations of buildings, and all other necessary provisions that may conduce to the education of the English and Indian youth of this country in knowledge and godliness, — It is therefore ordered and enacted by this Court and the authority thereof, that for the furthering of so good a work, and for the purposes aforesaid, from henceforth that the said College in Cambridge, in Middlesex, in New England, shall be a Corporation, consisting of seven per- sons, to wit: a President, five Fellows and a Treasurer or Bursar; and that Henry Dunster shall be the first Presi- dent, Samuel Mather, Samuel Danforth, Masters of Art, Jonathan Mitchell, Comfort Starr, and Samuel Eaton, Bachelors of Art, shall be the five Fellows, and Thomas Danforth to be present Treasurer, all of them being inhabitants in the Bay, and shall be the first seven persons of which the said Corporation shall consist; and 28 CHARTER that the said seven persons, or the greater number of them, procuring the presence of the Overseers of the College, and by their counsel and consent, shall have power, and are hereby authorized, at any time or times, to elect a new President, Fellows, or Treasurer, so oft, and from time to time, as any of the said person or persons shall die or be removed; which said President and Fellows for the time being shall forever hereafter, in name and fact, be one body politic and corporate in law, to all intents and pur- poses, and shall have perpetual succession, and shall be called by the name of President and Fellows of Harvard College, and shall from time to time be eligible as aforesaid; and, by that name, they and their successors shall and may purchase and acquire to themselves, or take and receive upon free gift and donation, any lands, tenements, or here- ditaments, within this jurisdiction of the Massachusetts, not exceeding the value of five hundred pounds per annum, and any goods and sums of money whatsoever to the use and behoof of the said President, Fellows, and scholars of the said College; and also may sue and plead, or be sued and impleaded, by the name aforesaid, in all courts and places of judicature within the jurisdiction aforesaid. And that the said President, with any three of the Fellows, shall have power, and are hereby authorized, when they shall think fit, to make and appoint a common seal for the use of the said Corporation. And the President and Fellows, or the major part of them, from time to time, may meet and choose such officers and servants for the CHARTER 29 College, and make such allowance to them, and them also to remove, and, after death or removal, to choose such others, and to make from time to time such orders and by- laws, for the better ordering and carrying on the work of the College, as they shall think fit; 'provided the said orders be allowed by the Overseers. And also that the President and Fellows, or major part of them, with the Treasurer, shall have power to make conclusive bargains for lands and tenements, to be purchased by the said Corporation for valuable considerations. And, for the better ordering of the government of the said College and Corporation, — Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the President and three more of the Fellows shall and may from time to time, upon due warning or notice given by the President to the rest, hold a meeting for the debating and concluding of affairs con- cerning the profits and revenues of any lands, and dispos- ing of their goods (provided that all the said disposings be according to the will of the donors), and for direction in all emergent occasions, execution of all orders and by-laws, and for the procuring of a general meeting of all the Over- seers and Society in great and difficult cases, and in cases of non-agreement; in all which cases aforesaid, the con- clusion shall be made by the major part, the said President having a casting voice, the Overseers consenting thereunto. And that all the aforesaid transactions shall tend to and for the use and behoof of the President, Fellows, scholars, and officers of the said College, and for all accommodations CHARTER of buildings, books, and all other necessary provisions and furnitures as may be for the advancement and education of youth in all manner of good literature, arts, and sciences. And, further, be it ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that all the lands, tenements, or here- ditaments, houses, or revenues, within this jurisdiction, to the aforesaid President or College appertaining, not exceeding the value of five hundred pounds per annum, shall from henceforth be freed from all civil impositions, taxes, and rates; all goods to the said Corporation, or to any scholars thereof, appertaining, shall be exempt from all manner of toll, customs, and excise, whatsoever; and that the said President, Fellows, and scholars, together with the servants, and other necessary officers to the said President or College appertaining, not exceeding ten, — viz., three to the President and seven to the College belong- ing, — shall be exempted from all personal civil offices, military exercises or services, watchings and wardings; and such of their estates, not exceeding one hundred pounds a man, shall be free from all country taxes or rates whatso- ever, and none others. In witness whereof, the Court hath caused the seal of the Colony to be hereunto affixed. Dated the one and thirtieth day of the third month, called May, anno 1650. [l. s.] Tho: Dudley, Governor. [The above is a copy of the original Charter engrossed on parch- ment, signed by Gov. Dudley, with the Colony seal appendant, in the custody of the President and Fellows of Harvard College. The Charter, varying slightly in phraseology, is also contained in the Records of the General Court, vol. iv, page 10.] APPENDIX 31 III An Appendix to the College Charter, granted by an Act of the General Court of the Colony, passed a.d. 1657. At a General Court held at Boston, the 14th of October, 1657. In answer to certain proposals presented to this Court by the Overseers of Harvard College, as an appendix to the College Charter, it is ordered, — The Corporation shall have power, from time to time, to make such orders and by-laws, for the better ordering and carrying-on of the work of the College, as they shall see cause, without dependence upon the consent of the Overseers foregoing. Provided always, that the Corpora- tion shall be responsible unto, and those orders and by-laws shall be alterable by, the Overseers, according to their discretion. And when the Corporation shall hold a meeting, and agreeing with College servants, for making of orders and by-laws, for debating and concluding of affairs concern- ing the profits and revenues of any lands or gifts, and the disposing thereof (provided that all the said disposals be according to the will of the donors), for managing of all emergent occasions, for the procuring of a general meeting of the Overseers and Society in great and difficult cases, and in cases of non-agreement, and for all other College affairs to them pertaining, — in all these cases the conclu- sion shall be valid, being made by the major part of the 32 APPENDIX Corporation, the President having a casting vote. Provided always, that, in these things also, they be responsible to the Overseers as aforesaid. And in case the Corporation shall see cause to call a meeting of the Overseers, or the Overseers shall think good to meet of themselves, it shall be sufficient unto the validity of College acts, that notice be given to the Over- seers in the six towns mentioned in the printed law, anno 1642, when the rest of the Overseers, by reason of the remoteness of their habitations, cannot conveniently be acquainted therewith. [This Act is taken from the Records of the General Court, vol. iv, page 265.] CONFIRMATION OF CHARTER 33 IV Extract from a Resolve of the Provincial General Court, passed a.d. 1707, declaring the College Charter of 1650 not repealed, and directing the President and Fellows of the College to exercise the Power granted by it. At a Great and General Court for her Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, begun and held at Boston upon the 28th of May, 1707, and continued by several prorogations unto the 29th of October following, being the third session. IN COUNCIL Thursday, Dec. 4, 1707. And inasmuch as the first foundation and establishment of that House [Harvard College, in Cambridge], and the government thereof, had its original from an act of the General Court, made and passed in the year 1650, which has not been repealed or nulled, — the President and Fellows of the said College are directed, from time to time, to regulate themselves according to the rules of the Constitution by the said Act prescribed, and to exercise the powers and authorities thereby granted for the government of that House, and the support thereof. Saturday, Dec. 6, 1707. The Representatives returned the Vote passed in Coun- cil, the 4th current, referring to the College, with their concurrence thereunto. By his Excellency the Governor, consented to, Joseph Dudley. [This Resolve is taken from the Records of the General Court, vol. viii, page 344.] 34 PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION V The Articles of the Constitution of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, confirming and securing to Harvard College the perpetual Possession and Enjoyment of all its Estates, Rights, Powers, and Privileges. CHAPTER V Sect. I. — The University Article 1. — Whereas our wise and pious ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six hundred and thirty- six, laid the foundation of Harvard College, in which University many persons of great eminence have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those arts and sciences which qualified them for public employments both in Church and State; and whereas the encouragement of arts and sciences and all good literature tends to the honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of this and the other United States of America, — It is declared that the President and Fellows of Harvard College in their corporate capacity, and their successors in that capacity, their officers and servants, shall have, hold, use, exercise, and enjoy all the powers, authorities, rights, liberties, privileges, im- munities, and franchises which they now have, or are entitled to have, hold, use, exercise, and enjoy; and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed unto them, the said President and Fellows of Harvard College, and to PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION 35 their successors, and to their officers and servants respec- tively, forever. Art. 2. — And whereas there have been at sundry times, by divers persons, gifts, grants, devises of houses, lands, tenements, goods, chattels, legacies, and conveyances, heretofore made either to Harvard College, in Cambridge, in New England, or to the President and Fellows of Harvard College, or to the said College by some other description, under several charters successively, — It is declared that all the said gifts, grants, devises, legacies, and conveyances are hereby forever confirmed unto the President and Fellows of Harvard College, and to their successors in the capacity aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of the donor or donors, grantor or grantors, devisor or devisors. Art. 3. — And whereas, by an Act of the General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, passed in the year one thousand six hundred and forty-two, the Governor and Deputy-Governor for the time being, and all the magis- trates of that jurisdiction, were with the President, and a number of the clergy in the said Act described, constituted the Overseers of Harvard College; and it being necessary, in this new constitution of government, to ascertain who shall be deemed successors to the said Governor, Deputy Governor, and magistrates, — It is declared that the Gov- ernor, Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Senate of this Commonwealth are and shall be deemed their successors; who with the President of Harvard College for the time 36 PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION being, together with the ministers of the Congregational churches in the towns of Cambridge, Watertown, Charles- town, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester, mentioned in the said Act, shall be, and hereby are, vested with all the powers and authority belonging or in any way appertaining to the Overseers of Harvard College. Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Legislature of this Commonwealth from making such alterations in the government of the said University as shall be conducive to its advantage, and the interest of the republic of letters, in as full a manner as might have been done by the Legis- lature of the late Province of the Massachusetts Bay. BOARD OF OVERSEERS 37 VI An Act to alter and amend the Constitution of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College. Whereas the members of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, as heretofore constituted, cannot con- veniently nor constantly attend to the diligent discharge of the duties enjoined on it : — Section 1. — The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Counsellors, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth, and the President of Harvard College for the time being, with fifteen ministers of Congregational churches and fifteen laymen all inhabitants within the State, to be elected as is hereafter mentioned, shall forever hereafter constitute the Board of Overseers of Harvard College; they, or the major part of them present at any legal meeting, to exercise and enjoy all the rights, powers, and privileges, and to be subject to all the duties, of the existing Board of Overseers of Harvard College. Provided, however, that all the minis- ters of Congregational churches who are members of that Board shall remain members of the Board of Overseers established by this Act, so long as they shall continue minis- ters respectively of their Congregational churches, and no longer. 38 BOARD OF OVERSEERS [Sect. 2. — As soon as conveniently may be after this Act shall be in force, the present Secretary of the Board of Overseers, or, if that office be vacant, the President or a major part of the Fellows of Harvard College, shall cal a meeting of the Overseers of Harvard College, to be holden at some suitable time and place, for electing fifteen laymen, inhabitants of the State, to be members of the Board of Overseers; the said meeting to be notified by publishing the time and place of holding the same, in each of the public news- papers printed in Boston, ten days at the least before the time of holding the same; and the said elections to be made by ballot, by the major part of the Overseers present; and all persons who then, if this Act had not been in force, would have been members of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, shall have right to meet and vote in the said elections.] Sect. 3. — The Board of Overseers, as constituted by this Act, may, at any legal meeting, choose by a majority of votes a Secretary, when that office shall be vacant, who shall be under oath truly to record all the votes and pro- ceedings of the Board, and faithfully to discharge all the duties of his office; and the said Board may at any legal meeting, by a majority of votes, determine from time to time when and in what manner its meetings shall be held, called and notified: [and, at any legal meeting of the said Board, the Governor, if present, shall preside; if not, the Lieu- tenant-Governor, if present, shall preside; in their absence, the oldest member of the Council present shall preside: if they also be absent, the President of the Senate shall preside, if present; but in his absence also, the Speaker of the House of Representa- tives shall preside; and if neither of them be present, the greater part of the Overseers present at such meeting shall chose a presi- dent pro tempore, and until one of the officers aforesaid shall be present.] Provided, nevertheless, that the Secretary of the Overseers shall have power to call a meeting of the said BOARD OF OVERSEERS 39 Board, at such times as he shall be thereto requested by the President and Fellows of Harvard College; such meeting to be notified as the said Board shall direct. Sect. 4. — [When any minister of any Congregational church, being a member of the said Board, shall cease to have the ministerial relation he now has, or may have had at the time of his election, or,] when any member of the elective part of the said Board shall remove out of the State, the place of such [minister or] member shall thereupon become vacant. And the said Board may at any legal meeting, by a vote of the greater number present, remove from his place any member of the elective part of the said Board who shall neglect to attend the meetings thereof, without reasonable excuse, when duly notified, or who by his immoral conduct shall have rendered himself unworthy of holding his place; but, before any vote shall pass to remove any member, he shall have reasonable notice, and a fit opportunity to be heard in his defence. [Sect. 5. — For establishing a perpetual succession in the elective part of the said Board, whenever a vacancy shall happen therein, by death, resignation, or otherwise, the Overseers may, at a legal meeting, by a majority of the votes present, fill up such vacancy by electing therefor some suitable person, who shall be an inhabitant of the State. Provided, however, that no minister of any Congregational church shall be so elected when there are fifteen ministers of Congregational churches members of the elective part of the said Board, nor shall any laymen be so elected when there are fifteen laymen members of the elective part of the said Board; but, in all cases when there are fifteen ministers and fifteen laymen members of the elective part of the said Board, there shall not be deemed to be any vacancy therein.] 40 BOARD OF OVERSEERS Sect. 6. — This Act shall be in force when the Over- seers of Harvard College, as heretofore constituted, and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, shall agree to accept the provisions in this Act contained. [March 6, 1810.] [The provisions of this Act were accepted by the President and Fellows on the 16th of March, 1810; and by the Overseers, on the 12th of April in the same year.] BOARD OF OVERSEERS 41 VII An Act to repeal an Act entitled "An Act to alter and amend the constitution of the overseers of Harvard College/' and to regulate certain Meetings of that Board. [Section 1. — An Act made and passed the seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten, entitled "An Act to alter and amend the Constitution of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College," be, and the same is hereby, repealed; and the Board of Overseers, from and after the passing of this Act, shall be constituted in the same way and manner, and be composed of the same persons, and no others, that it would have been had the same Act never been made or passed. [Sect. 2. — There shall be a meeting of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, as the same will be constituted after the pass- ing of this Act, on the second Wednesday of the first session of the General Court annually, in the Senate Chamber, at three o'clock in the afternoon (unless otherwise ordered by the said Board of Overseers), if the General Court shall remain so long in session, and at such other times and places as the said Board shall order; at which annual meeting it shall be the duty of the Secretary of said Board, at the first meeting thereof, to lay before them the records and proceedings of the Corporation of Harvard College, and of the said Board of Overseers, which have been had since the passing of the Act aforesaid, which is hereby repealed; and, in like manner, all the proceedings which may have been had by said Corporation, and Board of Overseers, shall be laid before them at their next succeeding meeting, to be held agree- ably to the provisions of this Act.] [Feb. 29, 1812.] [This Act was not assented to by the Overseers, or by the President and Fellows; but its validity was denied by both Boards, and it was repealed by the Act on the next page.] 42 BOARD OF OVERSEERS VIII An Act to restore the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, and to make an addition thereto. Section 1. — An Act made and passed on the twenty- eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve, entitled "An Act to repeal an Act entitled 'An Act to alter and amend the Constitution of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College/ and to regulate certain meetings of the Board," be, and the same is hereby, repealed. [Sect. 2. — The Senate of this Commonwealth shall be, and they hereby are, added to the Board of Overseers constituted by an Act made and passed on the fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten, entitled "An Act to alter and amend the Constitution of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College," and shall, together with the persons men- tioned in the said last-mentioned Act, hereafter constitute the Board of Overseers of Harvard College; they, or the major part of them present at any legal meeting, to exercise and enjoy all the rights, powers, and privileges, and to be subject to all the duties, of the Board of Overseers constituted under the said last-mentioned Act.] Sect. 3. — This Act shall be in force when the Over- seers of Harvard College, constituted by the last-mentioned Act, and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, shall agree to accept the provisions of this Act. [Feb. 28, 1814.] [The provisions of this Act were accepted by the President and Fellows on the 10th of March, 1814; and by the Overseers, on the 17th of the same month.] BOARD OF OVERSEERS 43 IX An Act in addition to "An Act to alter and amend the Constitution op the Board of Overseers of Harvard College." [Section 1. — Whenever any vacancy exists in the clerical part of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, the Board, in filling such vacancy, agreeably to the provisions of the statute of one thousand eight hundred and nine, chapter one hundred and fourteenth, may elect any stated minister of a church of Christ, ordained agreeably to the usages of the order to which he may belong. Provided, that when any minister so elected shall cease to have the ministerial relation he had at the time of his election, or shall remove out of the Commonwealth, the place of such minister at said Board shall thereupon become vacant. [Sect. 2. — This Act shall be in force when the Overseers of Harvard College, and the President and Fellows of Harvard Col- lege shall accept the provisions of the same.] [March 28th, 1834.] [The provisions of this Act were accepted by the Overseers on the 16th of February, 1843; and by the President and Fellows, on the 25th of the same month.] X An Act to change the Organization of the Board of Overseers of the University at Cambridge. [Section 1. — The Board of Overseers of Harvard College, as constituted by existing laws, shall continue until the day of the next annual meeting of the General Court, and no longer.] Sect. 2. — [The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of the Board of Education, and] the 44 BOARD OF OVERSEERS President and Treasurer of Harvard College, for the time being, together with thirty other persons, as hereinafter defined and described, and no others, shall [on and after the day of the next annual meeting of the General Court] constitute the Board of Overseers of Harvard College; they, or the major part of them present at any legal meeting, to exercise and enjoy all the rights, powers, and privileges, and to be subject to all the duties, of the existing Board of Overseers. [Sect. 3. — The thirty persons, who, in addition to the ex-officio members thereof, now constitute the Board of Overseers, shall be divided into three classes of ten each, by lot or otherwise, as they themselves may determine; and the persons of the first class shall go out of office on the day of the next annual meeting of the General Court, and their places be supplied by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives of the Commonwealth, assembled in one room; and the persons of the second class shall go out of office on the day of the annual meeting of the General Court, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, and their places be supplied in like manner by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives; and the persons of the third class shall go out of office on the day of the annual meeting of the General Court, which will be in the year one thousand eight hun- dred and fifty-four, and their places be supplied in like manner by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives. Provided, that the persons of each of the said outgoing classes shall con- tinue in office for two months after the day of the said annual meeting of the General Court, unless their successors shall have been sooner chosen by the Senators and Representatives.] Sect. 4. — [When the Board of Overseers shall have been wholly renewed in the manner prescribed in the foregoing section,] the members thereof shall be divided into six equal classes [by subdivision of the previous classes into two each, according to lot or otherwise, as the Board may determine, and having regard BOARD OF OVERSEERS 45 to seniority of service among the said previous classes in arranging the order of precedence of the new series] ; and the said six classes shall [thereafter] go out of office in rotation, and in order of precedence as thus defined, one at each successive annual [meeting of the General Court, and their places be supplied by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives]. (Commence- ment.*) [Sect. 5. — Any vacancy occurring in the said Board of Over- seers, whether by death, resignation, removal from the Common- wealth, or otherwise, shall be filled by joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives, as hereinbefore provided; and if the General Court shall omit to fill, within three months from the day of its annual meeting as aforesaid, any existing vacancy, then such vacancy may be filled by the remaining Overseers; but the person so elected to fill any vacancy, whether by Senators and Represen- tatives or by the Overseers, shall be deemed a member of, and go out of office with, the class to which his predecessor belonged.] [Sect. 6. — The Governor, if present, shall preside at any legal meeting of said Board of Overseers; if not, the Lieutenant- Governor; in their absence, the President of the Senate; in his absence, the Speaker of the House of Representatives; but if neither of the persons named be present, then the meeting shall elect a president pro tempore;] and the said Board may choose by majority of votes a Secretary, when that office shall be vacant, who shall be under oath truly to record the votes and proceedings of the Board, and faithfully to discharge all the duties of his office, and the said Board may make, establish, and alter such rules of proceeding, and other by- laws, as they shall deem meet, provided that the same be not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the Com- monwealth. * By Act of 1865, see page 48. 46 BOARD OF OVERSEERS Sect. 7. — [No member of the General Court which elects shall be eligible to a place in the said Board of Overseers ; and] no per- son shall be re-eligible for more than one term immediately succeeding that for which he shall have been first elected. Sect. 8. — This Act shall be in force when the Board of Overseers as heretofore constituted, and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, respectively, at meetings held for that purpose during the present session of the General Court, shall by vote have assented to the same; 'provided, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prejudice any constitutional powers which may be pos- sessed by the General Court. Sect. 9. — All Acts, or parts of Acts, inconsistent herewith are repealed. [May 22, 1851.] [This Act was assented to by the President and Fellows on the 22d of May, 1851 ; and by the Overseers on the same day.] BOARD OF OVERSEERS 47 XI An Act explanatory of the Acts relating to the organization of the board of overseers of the University at Cambridge. Section 1 . — The several Acts relating to the organi- zation of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College shall be so construed as to empower the Board to order and provide, by rule or by-law, what number of the members thereof, not less than nine, shall constitute a quorum or legal meeting of the same. Sect. 2. — This Act shall take effect from and after its passage. [March 3, 1852.] XII An Act in addition to the Act to change the Organi- zation of the Board of Overseers of the University at Cambridge. [Section 1. — All elections to fill vacancies in the Board of Overseers of Harvard College shall hereafter be by concurrent vote of the two branches of the General Court. Sect. 2. — The members of said Board of each of the outgoing classes shall continue in office for two months after the day of the annual meeting of the General Court, notwithstanding that their successors may have been sooner chosen. Sect. 3. — This Act shall be in force when the Board of Overseers and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, respectively, at meetings held for that purpose, prior to the first day of February next, shall by vote have assented to the same; 48 BOARD OF OVERSEERS provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to preju- dice any constitutional powers which may be possessed by the General Court.] [April 6, 1859.] [This Act was assented to by the Overseers on the 26th of January, 1860; and by" the President and Fellows on the 28th of the same month.] XIII An Act in relation to the Board of Overseers of Harvard College. Section 1. — The places of the successive classes in the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, and the vacancies in such classes, shall hereafter be annually supplied by ballot of such persons as have received from the College a degree of bachelor of arts, or master of arts, or any honorary degree, voting on Commencement Day in the city of Cambridge; such election to be first held in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-six; provided, however, that no member of the Corporation, and no officer of government or instruction in said College, shall be eligible as an Over- seer, or entitled to vote in the election of Overseers; and provided, further, that no person who has received from said College the degree of bachelor of arts shall be entitled to vote for Overseers before the fifth annual election after the graduation of his class. Sect. 2. — The Board of Overseers shall annually appoint one principal and two or more assistant inspectors of polls, who shall, on Commencement Day, from the hour of ten in the forenoon to the hour of four in the BOARD OF OVERSEERS 49 afternoon, at some place in said city of Cambridge, fixed by said Board, receive the votes for Overseers, and they shall sort and count such votes, and make public declara- tion thereof, after the closing of the polls; and said inspectors shall be provided with a complete list of the persons qualified to vote at such election, and no person shall vote until the inspectors find and check his name upon such list. The names of the persons voted for, the number of votes received for each person, and the vacancy or place in said Board for which he is proposed, shall be entered in words at length, by said inspectors, upon a record kept by them for that purpose, which shall, after such election, be forthwith made up, signed, and delivered by them to the Board of Overseers. The persons who shall receive the highest number of votes for the places or vacancies in said Board shall, to the number of Overseers to be elected, be deemed and shall be declared by said Board, elected to be members thereof. Sect. 3. — The Board of Overseers shall give notice of the place of the polls, the hours during which they are open, and the number of Overseers to be elected, by publishing the same at least ten days before Commencement Day in some newspaper printed in the city of Boston. Sect. 4. — The terms of office of the existing classes of Overseers are extended to the close of Commencement Day of the year in which such terms severally expire; the terms of office of the classes hereafter elected shall successively 50 BOARD OF OVERSEERS expire at the close of Commencement Day each year in their order; and the persons elected Overseers on any Commencement Day shall supply the places of the class of Overseers which goes out of office at the close of that day, and the vacancies then existing in said Board. Sect. 5. — Whenever there shall be a failure on Com- mencement Day to supply any places or vacancies in the Board of Overseers, the same may be filled by vote of the remaining Overseers; and any persons elected to fill a vacancy shall be deemed to be a member of, and to go out of office with, the class to which his predecessor belonged. Sect. 6. — The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Pres- ident of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, and Secretary of the Board of Education, shall not be ex-officio members of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College after this Act shall be in force. Sect. 7. — This Act shall be in force when the Board of Overseers and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, respectively, at meetings held for that purpose, shall by vote have assented to the same. Sect. 8. — This Act shall not be construed as in the nature of a contract or a charter, but may at any time be repealed at the pleasure of the Legislature. [April 28, 1865.] [This Act was assented to by the Overseers on the 21st of Sep- tember, 1865; and by the President and Fellows, on the 15th of December of the same year.] BOARD OF OVERSEERS 51 XIV An Act to provide for the Eligibility of Persons not Inhabitants of this Commonwealth as Over- seers of Harvard College. Section 1. — Persons not inhabitants of this Common- wealth and otherwise qualified shall be eligible as Over- seers of Harvard College. Sect. 2. — This Act shall take effect on its acceptance by the President and Fellows and by the Board of Over- seers of Harvard College, respectively, at meetings held for that purpose. [March 5, 1880.] [This Act was accepted by the President and Fellows on May 31, 1880; and by the Overseers on June 2, 1880.] XV An Act to amend chapter one hundred and seventy- three of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-five in relation to the board of over- SEERS of Harvard College. Be it enacted, etc., as follows: Section 1 . — Section two of chapter one hundred and seventy-three of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-five is amended by striking out all of said section after the word "list" in the eleventh line thereof, and by inserting in place thereof the following: The names of the persons voted for, and the number of votes received for 52 BOARD OF OVERSEERS each person, shall be entered in words at length by said inspectors upon a record kept by them for that purpose, which shall, after such election, be forthwith made up, signed and delivered by them to the Board of Overseers. The persons who shall receive the highest number of votes for the places in said Board, shall to the number of Overseers to be elected, be deemed and declared by said Board to be elected members thereof for the following terms, to wit: the five persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected to the class having the longest term, and in case any vacancy or vacancies exist in any other class or classes, the persons voted for shall be declared elected to such vacancy or vacancies according to the num- ber of votes received by them, the person or persons receiv- ing the next highest number of votes being declared elected to the class having the next longest term to run, and so on in order for other vacancies. In case by reason of a tie it shall be uncertain to which class any persons should be declared elected, the Board of Overseers shall by vote determine to which classes the persons receiving the same number of votes shall be assigned. Sect. 2. — This Act shall take effect upon its passage. [Approved March 19, 1889.] board of overseers 53 An Act relative to the Board op Overseers op Harvard College. Be it enacted, etc., as follows: Section 1. — The President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Board of Overseers of said College, act- ing separately at meetings called for that purpose, may, after the expiration of three years from the date of the acceptance of this act, as provided for in section two, deter- mine from time to time by concurrent vote whether any, and, if any, what degrees issued by said College other than those mentioned in the first section of chapter one hundred and seventy-three of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-five, shall entitle the recipients thereof to vote for Overseers to the same extent and under the same restric- tions to and under which recipients of the degree of bachelor of arts from said College may now so vote. Sect. 2. — This Act shall take effect when the Board of Overseers and the President and Fellows of Harvard College, respectively, at meetings held for that purpose, shall by vote assent to the same. [Approved March 27, 1902.] [This Act was assented to by the President and Fellows on September 23, 1902, and by the Overseers on October 15, 1902.] 54 board of overseers Extension of the Right to Vote for Overseers. Acting under the authority conferred by the Act of 1902, the Board of Overseers on April 10, 1907, and the President and Fellows on April 29, 1907, adopted the following vote: — That this Board hereby determines that the degrees conferred by the Governing Boards of the University, upon the recommendation of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, upon the graduates of the Lawrence Scientific School, of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and of the Graduate School of Applied Science, and the degree of Bachelor of Science conferred after residence in Harvard College, shall entitle the recipients thereof to vote for Over- seers to the same extent and under the same restrictions to and under which recipients of the degree of Bachelor of Arts of said College may now so vote. INDEX INDEX ({ It PAGE Adjourned Meetings 4 Amendments to Rules and By-Laws 15 Annual Meeting 4 Australian Ballot for Election of Overseers ......... 19-22 Ballot, use of, at Meetings 6 Chairman of Committees, Person first named to be 7 College Charter (May 31, 1650) 27-30 Appendix to (Oct. 14, 1657) 31, 32 Confirmation of (Dec. 4 and 6, 1707) 33 Committees, Composition and Duties of 9-13 Nomination of 6, 7 " Visiting 9-13 Consent of Overseers to Votes of Corporation Conferring honorary degrees 6 Electing Lecturer in University 6 Member of Corporation 6 Officer of Instruction or Government 6 Permanent Professor 6 Seven days' notice, when required 6 Constitution of Massachusetts, Provisions relating to Harvard College 34-36 Degrees, Committee on Honorary 6 Grounds and Reasons for occasional, to be laid before Overseers by Corporation 6 Honorary, Conferring of 6 When to be received from Corporation 5, 6 Division of Question when desired by Member 8 Doubting of Vote 8 58 INDEX PAGE Election of Overseers Advertisement of, in newspapers 13 " Official ballot in newspapers 22 Australian ballot prescribed for 19-22 Committee on Elections to examine records of 14, 15 Extension of right to vote for 54 Inspectors of Polls, appointment and duties of 13, 14 Overseers to be notified of their Election 14 Overseers elected, when entitled to seat 14 Statutes of Massachusetts governing and relating to . . . 48-54 When and where held 13 Elections, Committee on 9 Establishment of Board of Overseers. (Act of General Court, Sept. 8, 1642) 25, 26 Extension of Right to vote for Overseers . . . . 54 Honorary Degrees (see Degrees) Inspector of Polls (see Election) Meetings, when and where held 4 Motions, when to be reduced to writing 8 Nominations of Overseers by Association of Alumni 19 " Certificate of 100 Alumni ... 19 Notice of Amendments to Rules and By-laws 15 " " Meetings 4,5 " " Elections 13 " to Persons elected Overseers 14 " " Members of Committees 11 Officers 3 Official Ballot (see Election of Overseers) Parliamentary Procedure of Legislature of Massachusetts, when to govern Overseers 8 President, Election of 3 " pro tempore, Election of 3 " Right of, to vote 8 Term of Office . 3 " Committees, when to be nominated by 6, 7 INDEX 59 Quorum, Nine Members to constitute Reconsideration of Votes Reports and Resolutions, Committee on .... Secretary, Election of pro tempore, Election of Term of Office Speaking by Members regulated Special Meetings Stated Meetings Statutes of Massachusetts relating to Overseers Sept. 8, 1642, establishing Board March 6, 1810, amending Constitution of Board Feb. 29, 1812, u u It a a u a a Feb. 28, 1814, Mar. 28, 1834, May 21, 1851, March 3, 1852, April 6, 1859, April 28, 1865, establishing present organization of Board, and Elections by Alumni March 5, 1880, making eligible as Overseers persons not inhabitants of Massachusetts Mar. 19, 1889, amending Statute of April 28, 1865 . . . Mar. 27, 1902, Conferring on Corporation and Overseers power to extend the right to vote for Overseers . Suspension of Rules and By-laws Visiting Committees, List and Duties of Votes of Corporation to be presented by Attested Copies . . . Votes of Overseers to be transmitted to Corporation by Attested Copies Yeas and Nays, When and how Questions shall be determined by PAGE 5,47 8 9,10 3 3 3 7 4 4 25,26 37-40 41 42 43 43-46 47 47,48 48-50 51 51,52 53 15 9-13 5 5 7