Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1971-2018 (Creation)
Extent
5.84 linear feet (5 record boxes, 2 document cases) photographs
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Office of International Affairs at South Dakota State University was established in 1988 as the Office of International Programs to coordinate and promote international engagement across the institution. The unit was first directed by Dr. David Hilderbrand, during whose tenure the university signed its initial international exchange agreements with institutions in China, South Korea, and England. In November 1993, Harriet Swedlund became Acting Director and was appointed Director in May 1994, serving until fall 2003. Under her leadership, the office expanded international student and faculty exchanges and developed partnerships with multiple institutions as well as participation in the College Consortium for International Studies and the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad. In September 2005, the office was renamed the Office of International Affairs to reflect its expanded scope.
The office serves as the administrative unit responsible for initiating, coordinating, and managing international programs. Its responsibilities include international undergraduate admissions, services for international students and scholars, immigration advising, study abroad planning, and the management of international agreements. The office also fosters campus and community engagement related to global initiatives and maintains administrative records documenting its activities.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The International Affairs Office Records document the development and management of international initiatives at South Dakota State University (SDSU). These include administrative materials, international agreements, student and faculty exchanges, faculty development seminars, study abroad programs, and collaborative projects with institutions worldwide. The collection is especially rich in documentation concerning three primary university partners: Manchester Metropolitan University (England), Chungnam National University (South Korea), and Yunnan Normal University (China). Additionally, it includes extensive material on global collaborations spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.
The records consist of administrative records and documentation of SDSU’s international activities from the late 1980s onward. The collection is organized into several series, with a significant focus on SDSU’s partnerships with three international institutions: Manchester Metropolitan University, Chungnam National University, and Yunnan Normal University.
Administrative records include reports, newsletters, correspondence, clippings, and documents related to strategic planning, program funding, internationalization initiatives, and internal committees. This series reflects the university's evolving efforts to globalize curricula, foster faculty engagement in international education, and support international students and visiting scholars.
The collection’s core consists of records related to study abroad and faculty exchange programs. These include agreements, planning documents, photographs, correspondence, reports, and faculty reflections. Files relating to Manchester Metropolitan University document health and pharmacy exchange programs, official visits, and collaborative seminars. Material from Chungnam and Yunnan includes detailed accounts of exchange experiences, seminar documentation, and memorabilia.
A final component comprises materials from SDSU's international engagement with over 30 countries and regions, including agreements, institutional visits, travel itineraries, student and faculty reports, and special programs. Subjects covered range from agricultural development and educational reform to language immersion and cultural exchange.
This collection is a vital resource for understanding SDSU’s internationalization efforts over several decades. It offers a comprehensive view of how academic institutions build global partnerships, support cultural exchange, and integrate international perspectives into higher education. The depth and breadth of documentation highlight SDSU’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and cross-cultural collaboration. The collection is also historically significant in illustrating changing global academic trends, regional partnerships, and U.S. international education policy at the institutional level.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
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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
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
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.
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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.
Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
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.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- South Dakota State University. Office of International Affairs (Subject)
- Manchester Metropolitan University (Subject)
- Ch'ungnam Taehakkyo (Subject)
- Yunnan Normal University (Subject)