The Answers to Your University-Related Questions May Be in the UMD Archives

 

Q: The information you are looking for may now be available in your own office files, but often it can be quickly and conveniently accessed through the Archives at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

A: Administrative and academic offices on the UMD campus are often confronted with the need for background information or historic detail about the University. Departmental self-studies, accreditation reports, grant proposals, budget requests and proposals for new programs frequently call for historical documentation and statistical data. Lawyers, auditors, and government officials often ask for specific facts, dates and historic financial data. And, occasionally, members of the local media have background questions that need replies. Many of the questions can be answered through the Archives.

Q: What are the Archives and what kinds of information are stored there?

A: In general, university archives are offices that have been given the task of centrally collecting, organizing, maintaining, and preserving the non- current official documentation of their respective universities.

Q: Why does the University of Minnesota maintain an Archives? Why do we preserve our old office files and official publications?

A: Historical data can be vital to satisfying the University's administrative, legal and public relations information needs. By centrally locating non-current records, the UMD Archives is in an excellent position to eliminate duplication in sorted records, apply standardized policies for record retention and provide administrators with access to information that would be difficult to access under a decentralized system. Properly designed archival operations are efficient, save space, provide unique services, and are cost effective.

A service of the UMD Library since 1951, the UMD Archives has been collecting information about the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and its predecessor, the Duluth State Teachers College. The Archives has a wealth of information in its publications, office records, and subject files.

The Archives has comprehensive collections of UMD related bulletins, newsletters, and student publications. It also has a computerized database of office files inventories dating back to 1902 that can provide rich detail about UMD's students, faculty, staff, academic programs, the development of campus buildings and grounds, the history of student life, as well as a multitude of campus concerns and issues over the past ninety years.

The Archives contains official correspondence and files from major UMD administrative offices. Board of Regents Minutes and Dockets, University Budgets, Budget requests, Legislative requests, and a wide variety of other official publications are kept on file within the Archives. It maintains papers and research files of a number of faculty as well as the working files of numerous campus committees. It also has direct access to very comprehensive photographic print and negative files, and has complete runs of the UMD Statesman, the old college year books, and major University and UMD newsletters. If you would like a bibliography of our more significant reference titles, go to "Facts About the University of Minnesota in the UMD Archives."

Q: How does my department or office get accurate information -- without lengthy delays?

A: If you have questions about UMD or the University of Minnesota in general, call Tom Ambrosi at 726-7861. We can discuss your questions over the telephone. Extensive research on University topics may require an in-person visit to the UMD Archives.

Q: How can the UMD Archives help my department or office maintain its office files and publications?

A: By statute, files created by offices of the University of Minnesota remain the property of the University, and the University itself is responsible for their judicious maintenance. In view of this responsibility, the UMD Campus Assembly has issued a policy statement declaring that UMD offices should cooperate with the UMD Archives in their responsibility for the management and preservation of office records and official University publications.

The UMD Archives also provides free advice on records management guidelines and procedures, and can recommend which of your files would be good candidates for deposit in the Archives. The Archives routinely accepts office files of permanent historical value and donation of University-related printed publications, photographs, campus blueprints, and scrapbooks. Contact us if you have University publications or files that you no longer can or wish to retain in your offices. University offices have unlimited access to materials they have deposited in the Archives. All campus offices can benefit by the services the UMD Archives has to offer.

 

If you have questions about depositing materials in the UMD Archives, call our office at 726-7861.

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To Remember is to Honor

UMD has played a key role in the social, economic, cultural and educational development of Northeastern Minnesota. It is one of the largest employers in the area, and the largest academic institution in the area. Our research and community outreach programs have benefitted countless numbers of Minnesota citizens. Our graduates have improved and invigorated the work force, and out campus has been an important source of hope and inspiration for the area. UMD is, and always has been, a vital institution. It has a record to be proud of, and a history worth remembering.

 

For more information, contact:

Thomas J. Ambrosi, UMD Archivist
University of Minnesota Duluth
416 Library Drive
L270
Duluth, Minnesota 55812-3001
(218) 726-7861
e-mail:tambrosi@d.umn.edu