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Established in 1956, the Department of Human Genetics traces its origins to the Laboratory of the Vertebrate Biology, created in 1941, and reorganized in 1950 as the Institute of Human Biology. Following the retirement of Lee Raymond Dice, the Institute was reconfigured as a department under the direction of James V. Neel. Records consist of the correspondence and administrative files of Lee Raymond Dice and James V. Neel relating to the development of genetic research and study at Michigan. Also included are articles and reprints by Dice, Neel, and other faculty associated with genetic and heredity research at Michigan. Three photographs are also included.

The records of the Department of Human Genetics consist of 4.75 linear feet spanning the period from 1937 to 1977 and include material from the predecessor unit, Institute of Human Biology (1941-1956). The records have been arranged in three series: Institute of Human Biology, 1941-1956; Department of Human Genetics, 1956-1977; and Reprints and Publications, 1937-1966.

The records arrived as largely unarranged departmental correspondence files of professors Lee R. Dice and James V. Neel. To make these records more accessible, they have been divided chronologically into two series at the date at which the Department of Human Genetics was officially formed, with a third series consisting of reprints and publications from all stages of the department's evolution.

Established in 1980 as part of the Center for Continuing Education of Women (now CEW+), the Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE) has sought to increase the number of women who major in and seek advanced degrees in mathematics, science and technical fields. WISE has offered internships, resource guides, programming, and the Warner-Lambert lecture series towards this goal. In addition to supporting women at the collegiate level, WISE offers a variety of K-12 programs for students of any gender identity, although they are primarily aimed at women and girls. Records include correspondence and reports; physical and digital materials related to programming efforts, including the Warner-Lambert lecture series and Girls in Science and Engineering summer camp; funding proposals; research papers and talks by WISE staff members; and clippings and documents related to the establishment of WISE. Planning files for the Girls and Science and Technology (GASAT) IV Conference 1987, digital transcripts and recordings from an oral history project that sought to preserve the history of University of Michigan alumnae in the sciences and engineering, and material related to Smartgirl.com as well as the Women in Engineering Office are also included.

The WISE records (11.3 linear feet and digital files (online)) reflect the changing approaches that WISE took to encourage and support women in the sciences and engineering, as well as the changing organizational structure of the program. Specific formats include correspondence, digital photographs and videos, grant applications and program proposals, oral histories, research studies and talks, publications, reports, web archives, and background material on women and sciences at the University of Michigan. Prominently represented in the collection are WISE's various programming efforts, the Women's History in Michigan Science and Engineering Oral History Project, and the Women in Engineering Office (WIE).