Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Administrative series (1994-2004, 5 linear feet) includes materials relating to the operation and functioning of the Detroit Observatory since 1994. This series includes an extensive inventory of photographs and descriptive records of the over three-hundred Detroit Observatory holdings; these are scientific instruments, historical photographs, publications, logbooks, and other miscellaneous artifacts and materials. The administrative series also includes correspondence, budget and fundraising documentation, meeting minutes, and materials documenting the day-to-day operation of the Observatory. A substantial portion of this series concerns the planning and implementation of the extensive restoration of the Observatory. For administrative materials prior to 1994, researchers should consult other Bentley collections, including the University of Michigan Observatory record group. The Observatory record group contains administrative material on the Detroit Observatory, including inventories, budgets, personnel, and account books from approximately 1908 to 1948.

The Administrative series, 1994-2006 (1.25 linear ft.), contains general administrative notes and correspondence regarding productions and staffing, advertising plans, and copies of the Dance Gallery Studio's quarterly newsletter.

The Administrative and Financial series documents the management of the organization, and includes board of directors' minutes, planning materials, financial statements, annual reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence. The bulk of the correspondence in this series consists of letters sent by Executive Director LeRoy Harvey and a smaller number sent by his successor Patrick Hudson. There are some incoming letters as well, but the majority of incoming correspondence is filed by the program or activity to which it pertains.

Administrative Files (boxes 1-53; 55-67; 124-125; 131; 157; and 168) includes correspondence (boxes 1-67; and 168) spans the period from 1897-1999 when the various alumni and professional societies were combined into the Alumni Association. The basic arrangement of the correspondence is in chronological periods and thereunder in a basic alphabetical sequence. The bulk of the correspondence is that of the Alumni Association General Secretary (later Executive Director) although correspondence of field secretaries and other alumni officers is also present. Subject access to the correspondence is largely non-existent. In order to make use of these records some familiarity with key individuals or events in the history of the university is required. Much of the correspondence is routine in nature, pertaining to more mundane matters like payment of dues, subscriptions to the Michigan Alumnus and requests for football tickets. Interspersed among the mundane letters, however, are news items and reminiscences from alumni, information on various class memorials and responses to various Alumni Association requests such as names of alumni who fought in the Civil War, Spanish American War and later wars. Information on films and recordings detailing the work of the university which were made available to alumni groups is also interspersed among the correspondence.

Of particular note is correspondence surrounding the building of Alumni Memorial Hall (now the Art Museum). Built during 1908-1910, the planning, design, and intended use of the building was frequently discussed during the years from 1903 to 1912. Much of this discussion and fundraising took place at the same time a similar campaign was underway for the Michigan Union. Conflict between the two proposals as well as confusion among alumni solicited for funds by both campaigns is evident in the correspondence covering this period. Issues of the Michigan Alumnus during this period also help to frame the issues surrounding this controversy. Additional documentation on building projects is available in the Special Projects and Subjects series. Other key eras such as World War II are reflected in extensive correspondence with alumni in the armed services. Other materials within this series include alumni directories (including Black, Hispanic, Mexican, and Puerto Rican alumni), a list of directors and officers of the Alumni Association, meeting minutes, and retreat documemtation.

The Administrative Files series documents the decisions of high level administrators and committees regarding the planning and management of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. A large portion of the series consists of material from the Board of Directors, including a complete run of minutes from the mid to late 1980s, as well as minutes from their retreats and special meetings. Also included are annual, financial, and strategic planning meeting reports.

An area of note within the series includes records of past presidents and organization officers. Material related to Chad Audi can be found in the Chad Audi series.

Material from COO Barbara Willis document the DRMMs work with external organizations and development efforts. The series includes one file of material noting the recognition recieved by Donald DeVos for his work with the organization during the 1990s.

The Administrative Files (18.5 linear feet) has a heavy emphasis on documenting the annual conventions, executive committee meetings, and the activities of organization presidents. Other administrative functions are documented as well. Note: while most of the years have their own folders or dividers, some have been left in binders with the year clearly visible and were not placed in folders.

The Administrative Files, 1929-2001 is a scattering of topical files including information on departmental governance, departmental reviews, and material on the Interdisciplinary Program in Classical Art and Archaeology (IPCAA).

The Administrative File series contains materials related to the history, organization, and administration of the Michigan Natural Areas Council.

The series has been divided into six subseries: the Background/Historical subseries, the Chronological subseries, the Committees subseries, the Executive Committees subseries, the Organizational Affiliations subseries and the Website subseries.

The Administrative Files (0.75 linear feet) series is comprised of papers related to the establishment and continued development of the program. It includes accreditation reports, correspondence, department development plans, executive committee meeting minutes, papers of the committees on residency and research programs, and department review reports from 1983.

The Administrative Files series, 1984-2007 (1.25 linear ft.), includes meeting minutes and notes from Latina/o Studies Advisory Committee and Faculty meetings, proposals and planning materials for the undergraduate concentration program, files from Latina/o Studies Program Directors, funding proposals, budget materials, departmental brochures, and program planning materials and proposals that document the evolution of the Program from its origins in 1984.