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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".

Mainly typewritten letters, with some handwritten letters, postcards, and telegrams. Correspondence has been arranged chronologically and not divided by author or recipient.

There is sparse correspondence from Van Valkenburgh to Goldman from 1918 (when Goldman was in prison) and between the two in the 1930s, but the bulk of the correspondence dates from the 1920s. In this period, most letters from Goldman were written in Canada, France (including St. Tropez), or London.

The correspondence covers a range of personal topics, including Goldman's experiences living in exile from the United States, her writing process (especially of writing Living My Life), the pair's financial struggles, and their opinions on popular literature. Relationships with other prominent anarchists are the subject of frequent discussion, and the two occasionally detail ideological and personal disputes with each other or with their comrades. The correspondence also covers personal and professional tasks that Van Valkenburgh undertook on Goldman's behalf, including connecting her with publishers, visiting and writing to her friends, mailing books, raising money for her living expenses, and helping her promote her speaking events.

Political topics covered in the letters include ideological disputes among anarchists and between anarchists and communists, the Spanish Revolution, Bolshevism and the USSR, and the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy. They also frequently discuss the legal issues of other anarchists including Alexander Berkman, Carlo Tresca, Armando Borghi, and Sacco and Vanzetti. Goldman and Van Valkenburgh also debate topics including the future of anarchism in the Untied States and the role of political violence in the movement.

The CORRESPONDENCE series (11 linear feet, 1900-1903, 1929-1959) is arranged in four subseries: Correspondence, 1900-1903, 1929-1943; Director's Correspondence, 1946-1951; Editor's Correspondence, 1946-1951; and Director of University Relations Correspondence, 1950-1959. Most correspondence is with newspapers, magazine publishers, other universities, and radio and television broadcasting firms and associations.

The earliest correspondence, 1900-1903, includes letters written to Ralph Ellsworth relating to inquiries asking other universities about their information dissemination activities. Correspondence from 1929 to 1943 is chronologically arranged material sent and received by Roger Morrisey and Wilfred B. Shaw and reflects some of the alumni information activities once handled by the office as well as contact with press agencies and newspapers throughout Michigan and the nation

Director's Correspondence, 1946-1951, and Editor's Correspondence, 1946-1951, are similar in content. These two alphabetically arranged subseries comprise the correspondence of Arthur L. Brandon and Cleland B. Wyllie along with some other staff members. Wyllie served as editor but also handled other responsibilities within the office.

The most substantial subseries is the Director of University Relations Correspondence, 1950-1959, arranged alphabetically by topic. It is primarily the correspondence of Arthur L. Brandon. Topics include academic freedom and anti-communism activities (filed under "subversive activities"), the 250th anniversary of Detroit's founding, Harlan Hatcher's inauguration as president, controversy surrounding the renaming of Michigan State University, atomic research sponsored by the Phoenix Project, the 1955 Salk Polio vaccine testing and announcement, and radio and television broadcasting. General information on university activities and programs appears throughout the files, which also include scattered press releases, articles, and clippings in addition to the correspondence. Newspapers and magazines doing stories on the university, such as Life, are well represented within this subseries.

The Van Tyne correspondence files were received in two separate accessions. The first includes material from 1885 to 1930 while the second spans the years 1901-1931.