| Description | Minutes of the committee formed by Senate at the invitation of University Council to recommend what celebrations should take place for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the granting of the University Charter, in 1900, and the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of Mason Science College in 1875. Membership of the committee consisted of the Vice-Principal as chair; Professor R. H. C. Davis; Professor J. H. Fremlin; Professor B. W. Harvey; Professor Ivor Keys; Professor H. A. Milne; Professor J. H. Samuels; The Librarian; and Barbara Knapp. The minutes indicate that there was also a Council Appeal committee which focused on fund-raising, and that some members of the Centenary Celebrations committee should establish links between the two committees. Minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 1973 mention that the Vice-Chancellor was now in chairman of the Centenary Celebrations committee
At the first meeting of the committee, on 20 March 1973, it was agreed that representatives of the Guild of Students and the Guild of Graduates should be co-opted to the committee.
Minutes contain discussion of initial proposals for events to mark the centenary, including some which were later rejected; and the timing and form of the celebrations. Events discussed included dramatic and musical performances and concerts; exhibitions; an Open Day incorporating sporting events; an Open Lectures programme; a University Ball; a continuation of the History of the University in the form of a record of the University's achievements and contributions to science and learning [which became Mirror to a Mermaid]; a scientific symposium; and an athletics match with USA team [Birmingham Athletic Club v combined Harvard/Yale team]. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 1973 contain comments by Professor Stacey giving his opinions about the proposed centenary celebrations; minutes of a sub-committee meeting held to discuss proposals for a University ball; proposals by the Department of Physical Education for a week of Inter-Departmental Sport; and estimates for musical events planned for the celebrations. The minutes contain progress reports and estimates of expenditure for individual events.
No meetings were held between November 1973 and June 1974.
Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 1974 include a copy of programme of events and progress reports for individual events which would take place over the course of the 1974-1975 academic session and until the end of 1975. They also mention the cancellation of the planned University ball. Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 1975 mention the Queen's visit on 27 June 1975.
There are no surviving minutes for the period after January 1975 and it is not clear whether the committee continued to meet |