Students to Save Robinson Forest records 1981-1984
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Students to Save Robinson Forest records 1981-1984
- Creator
- Students to Save Robinson Forest
- Extent
- 1.35 cubic feet (5 boxes)
- Subjects
- Phillippi, Ann, 1952-.
- Zimmerman, Rich.
- University of Kentucky.
- Robinson Forest (Ky.)
- Green movement -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Land use -- Kentucky.
- Student organizations -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Student movements -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
- Arrangement
- This collection is arranged by subject in six series:
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- In the early 1980s, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees began considering a proposal to mine in Robinson Forest in order to generate revenue for the university. Students to Save Robinson Forest was formed as a response to this plan. The forest, which is comprised of over 14,000 acres in Eastern Kentucky, was deeded to the university in 1923 by E. O. Robinson; in 1930, he gave the university the coal and mineral rights. In both cases, it was noted that the land was to be used for research and education.
- Students to Save Robinson Forest was organized in January/February of 1982 with Ann Phillippi and Rich Zimmerman acting as co-presidents. The group's constitution states that it will "call attention to the legal, financial, ethical and moral conflicts associated with the proposed mining of Robinson Forest." The group held its first public meeting on February 25, 1982 and soon became the largest student group on campus. The group achieved a measure of success in 1983, when the Board of Trustees decided against the mining project in Robinson Forest. However, the language of their decision left the door open for other mining projects to be discussed in the future. On February 15, 1984, a permanent Robinson Forest display was dedicated on UK's campus with the purpose of informing future generations about the value of the forest and the struggles to preserve it.
- On several occasions since its 1983 decision, the Board of Trustees has considered mining proposals within the forest, and each time Students to Save Robinson Forest has regrouped in order to protest.
- Scope and Content
- The Students to Save Robinson Forest records include newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, membership and financial records, and publicity materials related to the group's activities during the early 1980s.
Contents of the Collection
I. Newspaper Clippings
The Newspaper Clippings series contains items regarding the debate and controversy surrounding Robinson Forest and the actions taken by Students to Save Robinson Forest during the early 1980s. The clippings come primarily from the Kentucky Kernel and Lexington Herald newspapers. There is also an issue of the Kentucky Coal Journal that contains material on the Robinson Forest issue.
Newspaper clippings, circa 1981-1984
Newspaper clippings, circa 1981-1983
Kentucky Coal Journal, May 1982
II. Meetings and Events
The Meetings and Events series contains materials related to Students to Save Robinson Forest gatherings. Included are meeting minutes and agendas, speech transcripts, planning notes and organizational materials, and posters publicizing these events.
First Public Meeting, February 25, 1982
Hank Graddy Speech, March 25, 1982
Rally for Robinson Forest, April 20, 1982
Ann Phillippi Presentation to Trustee Committee, August 19, 1982
Wendell Berry Speech, September 14, 1982
General Student Assembly, September 21, 1982
Dedication Ceremony for Robinson Forest Display, February 15, 1984
Informational Slide Show, circa 1982
Meeting Minutes, January 1982-July 1982
III. Publicity Materials
The Publicity Materials series contains items used to represent and publicize the activities of Students to Save Robinson Forest. The bumper stickers, buttons, and t-shirts could be purchased by individuals in order to support the organization.
Stationary, circa 1982
Envelopes, circa 1982
Information flyers, circa 1982
Fact Sheet flyers, circa 1982
Bumper stickers, circa 1982
Button and T-shirt, circa 1982
IV. Written Materials
The Written Materials series contains letters, notes, memos, and mailings both to and from members of Students to Save Robinson Forest as well as other individuals and organizations who were in some way related to the group or its cause. The series also contains signed petitions indicating opposition to mining in Robinson Forest. Also included in this series are photocopies of the deed to the Robinson Forest land.
i. Correspondence
ii. Reports
Legal Opinion of Jesse Dukeminier, June 21, 1982
Annual Report on Robinson Forest to Board of Trustees, 1982
Deeds and related materials
Information on lands unsuitable for mining
Miscellaneous reports
V. Administrative
The Administrative series contains materials related to the operation of the Students to Save Robinson Forest organization. Points of interest include the extensive membership lists and applications, financial records, and the organization's constitution.
i. Financial Materials
ii. Additional Administrative Materials
Constitution; Organization registration
Computer printout of membership lists and related materials
Handwritten and photocopied membership lists
Completed application forms, circa 1982
Complete application forms for sixth graders, 1982
Membership applications
VI. Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous series contains additional materials belonging to Students to Save Robinson Forest. This includes proof sheet versions of some of the printed materials found in the previous series. Folder 10 holds, in its original order, the contents of a file labeled 'Names, notes, etc.' by Ann Phillippi.
Proof sheets of petitions, membership applications, stationary, and flyers
Media and advocacy information
Letter writing information
Additional miscellaneous materials
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.