Correspondence and other Papers, 1879-1930
18.5 linear feet
The correspondence is arranged in strict chronological order according to the date of the letter received and the date of the reply to it. This means that the letter and its response are sometimes widely separated. However, the date of the reply was often noted on the incoming letter in blue pencil. Two indexes have been created to provide some access points to the chronological correspondence files.
A name index lists many of the most significant authors or recipients of letters. The alphabetical listing cites letters by the author by date. A second index provides access by broad topics and subjects. In the index notations, dates for original letters and responses are given. If the reply is in the same folder as the incoming letter, the dates in the index appear in order, separated by a comma. If the reply is in another folder, its notation is preceded by an R and the box, folder number, and date are given. Starting in 1913, copies of replies are sometimes on the back of the incoming letter itself so the researcher should check there also
President Hutchins continued the operation of the university as it had been under previous presidents, although with increasing expansion of course offerings and student numbers university management was beginning to become unwieldy. There was no organizational structure demarking administrative functions. This lack meant that a wide range of inquiries were addressed to the president -- including those regarding appointments, admissions, student financial aid, and medical care in the university hospitals. These were referred to the heads of the various departments and schools, to the secretary of the university, who oversaw financial affairs, or to the Student Christian Association, which arranged for student jobs.
An indication of how highly regarded the university was across the country may be found in the large number of inquiries from university or government officials in recently admitted states in the west where state systems of higher education were being developed. The range of topics on which they sought advice may be seen in the index listings under "Inquiries from other Educational Institutions".