Texas Tech University Archives
We actively collect, preserve and makes available for research collections documenting the history of student, staff and faculty organizations. Social and honor organizations are an integral part of the Red Raider scene. These groups are part of the diversity of campus life and it is important to save their histories for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions on the
Acquisition of Organizational Papers
What types of materials are accepted for the University Archives?
Certain types of materials have historical value that deem them worthy of long term preservation more than others. Please note that only 1 copy is generally needed of each type:
Examples to items accepted by the University Archives:
- Administrative reports such as treasurer's reports and the organization's annual report
- Correspondence [official] with colleagues
- Meeting minutes and agendas (preferably final drafts)
- Membership rosters
- Memorabilia such as pennants, shirts, paddles, etc.
- News clippings on the organization and its membership's activities
- Printed material such as banquet programs, newsletters, and official publications produced by the organization itself
- Recordings of interviews and other forms of visual and audio recordings pertaining to the organization
- Scrapbooks and photographs
- Speeches given by members
Examples to items not accepted by the University Archives:
- Cancelled checks and bank statements
- Junk mail - including general emails
- Medical records
- Membership applications that include grades, social security numbers and other personal information that should not be made public
- Miscellaneous reference materials such as popular magazines and newspapers - unless there is an article on or written by the organization
- Travel vouchers and receipts
- Trophies and plaques which have very little research value [exceptions may exist for ones that document very rare events and would be the call of the archivist whether it (they) are worth keeping]
- Student grades of any form
Are materials permanently transferred to the University Archives?
Yes. When the organization donates the materials to the TTU University Archives, it becomes a permanent collection. The materials will become state property due to the fact that Texas Tech is a state entity and as such the materials cannot be given back once donated. Once the collection is processed - that is to say the materials have been reviewed, organized and placed into acid-free folders, housed in acid-free boxes and a finding aid produced - the collection will be available for access by researchers during the regular reading room hours.
Do the materials in the University Archives circulate?
No. Materials in the University Archives may only be viewed in the reading room. This ensures that these unique materials remain available to researchers and do not become lost or damaged. Researchers may get copies and scans of most of the materials, depending on the condition of the material and if there are any restrictions on the materials, such as copyright.
Currently, there are several social and honor organizational collections residing in the University Archives. A small sampling of these groups are listed below. To view the finding aids to these collections go to the Social and Honor Organizations page.
Is your organization among those whose historical papers reside in the Texas Tech University Archives? If not, please consider contacting the University Archivist to arrange a donation of your organization's papers.
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