Dr. Bailey Finding Aid - Administrative History

Administrative History of UNB during Dr. Bailey's Tenure

The University of New Brunswick experienced rapid growth during Dr. Bailey's affiliation with the institution from 1938- 1970, and he played a pivotal role in many of these developments. The end of the Second World War spurred a period of growth in 1945- 46 with the influx of veterans into UNB. UNB President Milton F. Gregg converted the training centre located on what is now the Fredericton Exhibition grounds into Alexander College to accommodate the increase in student enrolment at UNB. The federal and provincial governments also increased their support for higher education following the war, which precipitated unprecedented growth during the nineteen fifties. New buildings were added to the campus and academic programs were expanded through the strengthening of existing departments and the establishment of new faculties and departments.

Further developments within the university were made possible through the generosity of UNB's Chancellor and chief benefactor, Lord Beaverbrook. He financed the construction of several new buildings, including the gymnasium, the Lady Beaverbrook Residence, and an addition to the Bonar Law-Bennett Library in 1951. Together with Dr. Bailey, he built up the research collection in the library and thus provided a key impetus for the expansion of graduate studies at the university.

UNB experienced further growth under the direction of Colin B. Mackay, President of the university from 1953-1969. To accommodate the financial needs generated by a period of rapid expansionism, Mackay orchestrated successful fund-raising campaigns with the assistance of K.C. Irving and Lord Beaverbrook. During the nineteen sixties, several studies on Canadian universities were written which recognized the need to democratize the governing structures of universities and to expand faculty and student participation in the decision-making process. Dr. Bailey became actively involved in the restructuring of the university as head of the Commission on the Future of the University during the mid-sixties. UNB did not remain immune to the growing radical student democracy movements active in the United States during the Vietnam War, and Dr. Bailey served as Vice-President (Academic) during the "Strax Affair" student demonstrations of 1968-1969.