Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1885-1981 (Creation)
Extent
2.73 linear feet (1 record box, 1 oversize box)
Name of creator
Administrative history
Faculty meetings were a longstanding tradition at South Dakota State University, regularly convened by the university president to share information on campus and external developments. In the institution’s early years, these meetings also served as forums for faculty decision-making on policies and procedures. As the university expanded, it became increasingly difficult to conduct such comprehensive meetings, prompting the creation of more formal administrative bodies such as the Council of Deans. Faculty meetings continued but shifted toward a primarily informational function.
By the late 1940s, faculty expressed a need for more structured representation beyond informational meetings. The Faculty Association emerged to serve as an advocacy group for faculty interests. In the mid-1960s, the formation of the Academic Senate further formalized faculty governance. President Emeritus H.M. Briggs characterized later faculty meetings as resembling town hall gatherings—open to all faculty, optional in attendance, and informal in structure. By the early 1970s, these meetings transitioned from a monthly schedule to being held once per semester or on an as-needed basis.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection contains the official minutes of faculty meetings held at South Dakota State University from the institution’s early years through the 1980s. The records are largely complete, with notable gaps between Fall 1898–Spring 1903 and June 1907–March 1918. The minutes document the administrative, academic, and policy-related discussions and decisions made by the faculty. In addition to the meeting notes, some files include supplemental materials relevant to agenda topics, such as student petitions or brochures from campus events. While the tone of the records is generally formal and procedural, the documentation provides insight into the evolving structure of faculty governance, campus concerns, and institutional development over time.
These records serve as a primary source for understanding the historical governance of South Dakota State University, the role of faculty in institutional decision-making, and the administrative evolution of the university. They are particularly valuable for tracing faculty engagement, responses to student concerns, and the shifting format and purpose of faculty meetings across decades.
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
Publication notes
South Dakota State University, Minutes, faculty meeting, 1942-1982
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 A2115
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.