A Guide to the Records of University President Abraham S. Fischler

Correspondence, legal documents, financial records, memos, reports, subject files, and clippings comprise the bulk of the records of Abraham S. Fischler, second president of Nova University and span the years 1965(1968-1992)1994. The records are divided into four main series: academic affairs, administrative affairs, student affairs, and personal affairs. This arrangement illustrates the main units of the university as well as any records that were of a personal nature to Fischler. There are over ten sub-series within the administrative affairs series. The small size of the university in its first two decades meant that practically all activities and decisions had to pass through the Office of the President. The first degree programs offered by Nova University after it opened its doors in the fall of 1968 were doctoral degrees in oceanography, physical sciences, and science education. Overcoming early financial struggles was paramount in the dealings of the University until the 1970 federation agreement with New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). The agreement included: $1.2 million for Nova to pay off outstanding debts; appointed NYIT President Alexander Schure as Chancellor of Nova University; and required a new Board of Trustees with representatives from both schools. NYIT expanded Nova’s offerings with an MBA program and undergraduate courses. The federation lasted until November 1985. One educational innovation that attributed to Nova’s success was its move into distance education, which included clusters of students at remote locations, both within and outside of the state of Florida. The early struggles with state governments and universities over Nova’s legitimacy are evident in the records. The majority of distance students were enrolled in the National Ed.D. for Educational Leaders program from the Center for the Advancement of Education, established in 1980. Nova University’s launch of distance education sites in international locations, particularly in Panama, and to a lesser extent, Colombia, and Jamaica, is extensively documented. As Nova University added programs, centers, and institutes, it also absorbed smaller local schools with faculty and specialized programs (e.g. psychology in the late 1970’s). There is significant is coverage of the Law Center’s founding in 1974 and growth into new facilities. There are also records on the founding and expansion of the University School. Originally a laboratory school, it became a private K-12 institution. The school was founded by Marilyn Segal, an early Nova graduate, faculty member, and supporter of the university. There were many affiliated entities on Nova University’s campus such as the Family Center and Leo Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research. There are records of development efforts to acquire major gifts and establish scholarships since the university’s inception. Records of early attempts to establish a traditional campus with dormitories and student life are also included. Fischler did not restrict his energies to Nova University, but was an active member of many community organizations, like United Way of Broward County, and represented Nova’s interests at local and state-level associations (e.g. Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF)).

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