The Unit Publications series contains printed and digital material published specifically by the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. These publications are defined as being widely distributed and may be published at regular intervals. They are arranged by genre of the publication.
The Unit Publications series (8.4 linear feet and 1.48GB (online)) includes addresses, annual reports, bibliographies, brochures, bulletins (course catalogs), by-laws, calendars, catalogs, directories, manuals, newsletters, proceedings, programs, regulations, reports, and related material.
The annual reports cover the period from 1933 to 1998, with the bulk documenting the period from 1977 to 1998. They briefly describe the activities of the college and list donors to the college's programs. For earlier annual reports, the researcher should consult the President's Report (call no. Fimu, B3), published from 1853 to 1984. The brochures describe some of the special offerings of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, including collegiate seminars, first year seminars, special foreign language offerings, general studies, and various theme semesters.
The bulletins or college catalogs (2.4 linear feet) describe the admissions requirements, course offerings (but not descriptions), degree requirements, facilities, and history of the college. The print version of the bulletin, from 1871 to 2012, is the authoritative source of admissions information, course offerings, and degree requirements. Under the heading "catalogs," the researcher will find about 1 linear foot of course descriptions under the titles LSA Course Guide documenting the period from 1976 to 1998, and the LS&A Brief Course Guide covering the period from 2001 to 2002. These titles also contain information about prerequisites.
In the manuals subseries there are handbooks for first year students. These volumes include an alphabetical listing, by department, of detailed course descriptions, even noting differences between the various sections offered. Distribution information (Social Sciences, Humanities, etc.), prerequisites, credits, and instructors are also identified. These handbooks also contain information about LS&A degree requirements, a directory of academic advising and counseling services, advice on distribution requirements, selecting an advisor, concentration course information, in addition to book costs and special fees associated with the course. They are found under various titles such as the:
Freshman Course Guide, 1988
First Year Handbook and Freshman Fall Course Guide, 1988-1994
First Year Handbook, 1994 to 2007
In 1997, the course information was broken out of the First Year Handbook into a separate publication entitled the First Year Course Guide.
In this subseries, researchers will also find handbooks for the faculty, international students, parents, and transfer students. The Handbook for LSA Instructional Staff was compiled in 1981 from the Faculty Code, the governing document created by the LS&A faculty. The Information and Regulations Governing the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses, published in 1962 and 1967, was to provide the teaching staff with a readily accessible list of the policies and procedures governing the conduct of LS&A courses. The International Student Handbook contains information to help ease the transition for incoming, non-American students. There is information on LS&A advising resources, academic resources, learning communities, academic conduct, international student associations, and helpful hints for living far from home for the first time. The Parent Handbook includes similar information with hints for how parents can help their student succeed at the University of Michigan. The library holds this publication from 1997 to 2002 and 2004 to 2006. In later years this publication became the LSA Guide for Parents and is available as well in the sub series. The Transfer Student Handbook discusses LS&A advising, but concentrates on the transfer of credits from other academic institutions and planning for the students' academic career at Michigan.
The LSA Distribution Book, in conjunction with the Bulletin, is designed to help students select courses outside of their concentration area in the categories of Humanities, Natural Science, and Social Sciences. By selecting courses not in their concentration or cognate fields, they are broadening their intellectual horizons and interests, which is a goal of a University of Michigan education. The LSA Distribution Book lists various courses, arranged alphabetically by department, with brief descriptions and explains how these courses can be used to fulfill distribution requirements. The library holds this publication from 1989 to 1992.
The newsletters subseries contains several titles, including Diagonalia, LSA Checkpoint, LSA Magazine, and the LSA Student Academic Affairs Newsletter. The Diagonalia, published from 1971 to 1975, provides much information about what was going on in the dean's office and the various departments in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. It describes new courses being offered, programs being developed, and long-range planning. There are also articles by faculty members on topics such as creativity or liberal arts education. The LSA Checkpoint published from 1974 to 1996, and its successor LSA Student Academic Affairs Newsletter issued from 1996 to 1998, were originally published monthly during the academic year and later three to four times a year. These newsletters discuss summer orientation, registration, new courses, mini-courses, and graduation and counseling information. The library does not hold a complete run of these publications. The LSA Magazine, documents the activities of the various administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the college. Published twice a year as of 2021, the Bentley Historical Library holds a nearly complete run of this publication. The library also provides access to digital copies of most of the LSA Magazine issues published between 2007 and 2017.
There are three small commencement programs, from 1992 through 1994, included in this series. A better source for commencement information, including lists of graduates, will be found in the University of Michigan. Chief Marshall records (call no. 8753 Bimu E3 2), documenting the period from 1914 to the present.
