Collection Policy

Archives Collection Policy

The Archives is responsible for acquisition and maintenance of the following materials:

Materials generated by the College

  • All publications of the college.
  • Records of administrative offices and academic departments.
  • Records of faculty, student, and other college-related organizations.
  • Histories of the college.

These records may come in any medium or form: paper (published or unpublished); photographs, discs, architectural or landscape drawings; audio and videotapes; newspapers clippings; or memorabilia.

The following is a list of records and publications which should be collected for the College Archives:

  • All publications, newsletters, brochures, and programs distributed in the name of the college. The Archivist will determine the permanence of these items.
  • Records of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee of the Board.
  • Records of the President’s Office.
  • Records of the Provost’s Office.
  • Records and reports of other college administrative offices.
  • Records of all official, permanent or ad hoc academic and administrative committees.
  • Records of academic and athletic departments.
  • Faculty publications, including speeches and papers delivered at meetings.
  • Reports of faculty research projects.
  • Records of student and college organizations.
  • Audiovisual materials, such as photographs, paintings, films, and audio and video tapes, which document the college history.
  • Maps and blueprints which document the growth of the campus.
  • Selected artifacts relating to the history of Kalamazoo College.
  • Reports relating to the college which were generated by external agencies.

Materials generated by individuals connected with the college

Donations from alumni that help to document the history of Kalamazoo College, particularly student life at the college, are sought by the Archives. Photographs, correspondence, publications, reminiscences, scrapbooks, and small memorabilia from an individual’s college career all add to the understanding of the college.

The Archives is also interested in material generated from an individual’s post-graduation connection with the college. An example of this would be information about alumni who return to speak at Commencement or to receive an award.