Inventory of the ECOS Records, 1969 - 2001

Abstract

ECOS (Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students) is a Duke University and Durham, N.C. environmental activist group founded in 1969. ECOS is also known as the Environmental Alliance. The records of ECOS include articles of incorporation, event reports, member lists, ECOS constitutions, bylaws, minutes, correspondence, printed e-mail correspondence, a webpage printout, financial materials, clippings, flyers, meeting announcements, and newsletters. Major subjects include Duke University students, ECOS, Duke Environmental Center, Durham (N.C.) history, New Hope Dam, Eno River State Park, environmental protection, public interest groups, political activity, and student groups. Materials range in date from 1969 to 1990 (bulk 1970-1973).

Descriptive Summary

Title: ECOS Records, 1969 - 2001.
Creator: Duke ECOS.
Extent: 1.5 Linear Feet, , 1,000 Items
Repository: University Archives, Duke University
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Language: English.

Series Quick Links

Container List:

Collection Overview

The ECOS records include correspondence, establishment and governance documents, meeting minutes, events information, financial materials, a statement of purpose, and materials relating to ECOS projects and causes. The most significant ECOS projects within these records include the Eno River Park project, the New Hope Dam project, and Carolina Power and Light Company's proposed power plant in Wake County. The records also include publicity, clippings, and other printed material related to ECOS, the Duke Environmental Center, and the Environmental Coordinating Council at Duke.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.

In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

Collapse All expand

Expand All

Container List:

Articles of Incorporation, 1970

Box 1 Folder 1

Bike-a-Thon events, 1972-1976

Box 1 Folder 2

Minutes, Board of Directors, 1971-1972

Box 1 Folder 3

Chapter establishment and tax status, 1970, undated

Box 1 Folder 4

ECOS constitution and bylaws, undated

Box 1 Folder 5

Correspondence, 1970-1973

Box 1 Folder 6

Duke Environmental Center, 1973

Box 1 Folder 7

Eno River Park project, 1970-1971

Box 1 Folder 8

Environmental Coordinating Council, 1970-1971

Box 1 Folder 9

Environmental studies proposal, ca. 1970

Box 1 Folder 10

Environmental teach-in, ca. 1970

Box 1 Folder 11

Financial materials, ca. 1970

Box 1 Folder 12

Pamphlets and artwork, undated

Box 1 Folder 13

New Hope Dam project, 1970-1971

Box 1 Folder 14

Operations and Funding Committee correspondence, 1970-1972

Box 1 Folder 15

General publicity, undated

Box 1 Folder 16

Clippings, 1970-1979

Box 1 Folder 17

ECOS statement of purpose, undated

Box 1 Folder 18

The Duke Green Guide, 1990

Box 1 Folder 19

ECOS newsletter, ca. 1970, 1973, 1974

Box 1 Folder 20

Position paper, Carolina Power and Light Company's Proposed Power Plant in Wake County, 1973

Box 1 Folder 21

Printed webpage, 2001

Box 1 Folder 22

Printed e-mail correspondence, 2001

Box 1 Folder 23

Historical Note

ECOS (Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students) was formed at Duke University in 1969. ECOS grew to include members of the Durham, N.C. community in their efforts to educate people on environmental concerns. Other environmental groups active around the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area in the early 1970s were: Chapel Hill ECOS, Organization for Environmental Quality (Raleigh), and the Conservation Council of North Carolina.

ECOS members were advocates of University-wide recycling, conservative population growth, and responsible consumption. At Duke University, members proposed an environmental studies program and organized a teach-in. ECOS came to be known for their recycling efforts, employing a small staff to collect newspapers, aluminum, and glass for resale to local companies.

Some of ECOS' awareness-raising activities included a Bike-a-Thon between Raleigh and Durham, protesting the development of the Eno River area, protesting construction of the New Hope Dam, and lobbying for environmentally sound work spaces. The Eno River Park project was particularly important to the Durham, N.C. region. In the early 1970s, ECOS and supporters led a campaign to save the Eno River area from commercial development. Due to ECOS' protest efforts, the city of Durham withdrew its efforts to construct a reservoir. The Eno River State Park was established in 1972.

As of 2003, ECOS is known as the Environmental Alliance and is active at Duke University.

Subject Headings

Related Material

NCPIRG records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
Office of the Chancellor. Environmental Concerns Committee records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
Environmental Center [Small Collections]. (University Archives, Duke University.)