Academic Affairs Records

35.84 linear feet (34 records boxes, 2 document cases)

The Academic Affairs Records document the historical development of curriculum, faculty governance, institutional planning, and administrative decision-making at South Dakota State University from 1902 to 2018. The collection includes materials from the Office of the President, the Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs, and various university committees. Topics covered include curricular changes, accreditation, faculty and departmental standards, budget planning, student organizations, and institutional milestones.

The bulk of the collection consists of administrative records—correspondence, budgets, strategic planning files, and committee minutes—reflecting academic policies and decisions. Notable topics include Resolution 21 and the Governor’s 5% budget reduction plan, which document financial restructuring and resource allocation. Materials also cover major events such as campus development projects, anniversaries, and faculty recognition.

Program review files form a substantial portion of the collection, detailing internal and external evaluations of academic departments submitted to the Board of Regents. These reviews are closely tied to accreditation efforts and strategic planning. Specialized accreditation reports from 1998 to 2017 assess institutional compliance with academic standards.

Records on curriculum development highlight the role of the Provost’s office in shaping academic offerings, including new course proposals, program modifications, general education revisions, and course standardization through the Common Course Numbering system. Faculty governance is represented through committee minutes, departmental reviews, and performance evaluations, including documentation from the Bush Faculty Development Project.

The collection also preserves the history of commencement at SDSU, with programs, scripts, honorary degree documentation, faculty awards, photographs, baccalaureate invitations, and diplomas dating back to 1902.

Additional subject files address topics such as Division I Athletics, the Resource Allocation Model (RAM), and the Student Project Implementation initiative, which aimed to enhance academic and student support services.

Overall, this collection offers a comprehensive view of SDSU’s academic evolution and institutional governance, serving as a valuable resource for researchers, administrators, and historians studying the university’s history and its role in higher education.

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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.

If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

• Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
• Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
• Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
• Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.

• Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.

  For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.

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Copyright and Use Statement

In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.