Correspondence, memoranda, articles, and notes concerning the attempted merger of Mannes with Manhattan School of Music in 1978, the firing of Mannes faculty by acting president Jack M. Watson, and the subsequent protests by students and faculty resulting in the removal of the Mannes board of trustees by the New York State Board of Regents. The folder title is retained from the original file compiled by Elizabeth Aaron.

Kaufman joined the Mannes faculty in 1974 to teach the history and theory of music. After 1979, Kaufman became one of the primary leaders of Mannes, serving as its president and dean. This file contains photographs focused specifically on Kaufman, although he appears in many other photographs in other series, sections, and folders throughout this collection.

A single large format color photo of Pablo Casals, label found on matting noted that Leopold Mannes most likely took this photo at the 1950 Prades Festival.

Includes drafts of merger plan, and handwritten notes by Mannes Acting President Jack Watson. An additional folder includes a letter draft of unknown origin addressed to Dean Allen Austill of The New School