Faculty Meeting Records

Finding Aid

Download Finding Aid and Container List

Collection Summary

Identifier

UA 50.3

Title

Faculty Meeting Records

Creator

Faculty Meeting, South Dakota State University

Dates

1885-1981

Extent

2.73 linear feet (2 boxes)

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item. Faculty Meeting Records. UA 50.3. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

Faculty Meetings was an informational meeting held by the university president to inform faculty of happenings both on campus and off. The collection is composed of the minutes from faculty meetings held at South Dakota State University from its inception up through the 1980’s.

Historical Note

Faculty meetings were held fairly regularly at South Dakota State University for the vast majority of its history. The president called together faculty, and proceeded to inform them of happenings both on campus and off. In the early years, these meetings were more than mere informational sessions. Faculty made decisions about policies and procedures, in addition to learning about things of import. As the college grew, however, meetings such as these became impossible to hold, and decision-making bodies like the Council of Deans evolved. Meetings were still held for informational needs however.

By the late 1940's, faculty seemed no longer satisfied with mere faculty meetings. Although they continued to attend the meetings, other campus organizations such as Faculty Association evolved to become advocates for the faculty. By the mid 1960's, even this group was not enough, and the Academic Senate began to form. According to President Emeritus H. M. Briggs, by this point in time the regular faculty meeting was more like a town meeting than anything else, with anyone who wanted to, showing up and eventually speaking. Attendance was not required, and the meetings were purely informational. By the early 1970's, meetings ceased to be held monthly, and were instead held each semester and as needed.

Contents Note

This collection is composed of the minutes from faculty meetings held at South Dakota State University from its inception up through the 1980's. These files are fairly complete; with large gaps being noted from fall 1898-Spring 1903 and June 1907-March 1918. Very few other minutes are missing, however. Included with some of the files are materials related to topics being discussed at the meetings, such as a petition by a student group, or a brochure from a campus event. For the most part, the contents of the minutes are fairly dry and businesslike, although some gems might be discovered with careful attention.

Related Resources

South Dakota State University, Minutes, faculty meeting, 1942-1982
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 A2115

Key Words

South Dakota State University -- Faculty Meeting

Container List

View container list on Open Prairie

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Elizabeth B. Scott, 1998 July 15.