Office of Admissions series (0.1 linear feet, 1966-1967) covers the testing and improvement of the new computer system AC-PAA (Admissions Computer-Profile Analysis Assist), used to process applications, which was implemented while Thomas Butts was the Assistant Director of Admissions. There are also examples of form letters for acceptance, wait-list for acceptance, and rejection letters.
Office of Orientation series (0.5 linear feet, 1968-1975 and 2000) is mostly composed of papers on the professional organizations that Thomas Butts was a member of, or participated in conferences, during his time as the Director of Student Orientation and after. He was a presenter at many conferences (including ACPA, HEEA, MCPA, MPGA, New Directions, and AACRAO). The 1971 AACRAO speech is on audio cassette. Thomas Butts also served on the ACPA Commission II School-College Relations, Admissions and Orientation from 1970 to 1973. Also of note are evaluations of the program by participants and student leaders in 1968 and 1969, and two publications by Thomas Butts: "Freshman Placement" and "What is Orientation?" from 1969. Thomas Butts stayed in contact with the orientation community even after he left the position, and attended the AACRAO annual meeting in 2000.
Office of Financial Aid (OFA) series (3.4 linear feet, 1971-1978 and 1999-2001) documents the development of his interest in student financial aid and loan issues, and his increased involvement with the financial aid community. The series is divided into six subseries. The first three cover the activities of the University of Michigan financial aid office. The last three cover Thomas Butts' participation in the wider financial aid community.
"Student Loan Programs" (0.5 linear feet) are Thomas Butts' papers as the Director of Financial Aid. The original order and labeling of the folders have been maintained. They cover the major issues facing the office, including programs, privacy, and minority enrollment. A sociology honors thesis includes an interview with Thomas Butts and his notes on the final product.
"Correspondence" (0.3 linear feet) includes alphabetical files of communications between the OFA and parents, which document the daily routine of the OFA, and the University of Michigan response to the budget cuts of 1982. Thomas Butts stayed active in the financial aid community after leaving the position, so there is also a file of correspondence between university financial aid officers from 1999.
"Publications" (0.3 linear feet) contains printed materials from loan providers and evaluations and research on loan programs. Of special note is the report by MSFAA on the Needs Analysis program tested at the University of Michigan in 1973. This section also includes newspaper clippings regarding the University of Michigan's inability to meet minority enrollment standards and a financial aid controversy surrounding the refusal of a scholarship to a 14-year-old genius because he did not demonstrate financial need (1973). Publications by Thomas Butts focus on student services and counseling students.