Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Administrative Files series consists of two sub-series, 1980-1993 and 1993-1996 (both of which include earlier background materials), and each is further divided into "General Files" and "Issue Files." In both sub-series, the General Files deal with the administration of the council and include miscellaneous correspondence and papers relating to member and non-member organizations as well as government bodies. The 1993-1996 General Files also contains annual reports, recruiting practices, strategic planning, and material related to various MEC programs and wider initiatives (such as the Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems group and Urban Core Mayors coalition). Likewise, the Issue Files in each sub-series contain background information (clippings, state government documents, publications, etc.), correspondence, testimony, and other content relating to issues addressed by the council and, to a lesser extent, its individual members.

(includes earlier background materials)

The series Administrative Files, 1972-1982 (8.5 linear feet) documents the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the project. Major sub-series include the Background and Historical Files, Carnegie Foundation Sponsored Studies, Enrollment Studies, Phase I Administration, and Phase II Administration. The Background and Historical Files (four folders) include a partial chronology of the project, documents on the planning process at Michigan and other universities, and the monograph Implementation of Formal Planning: Strategies for the Large University, by Donald C. Lelong and Martha Hinman, which summarizes and evaluates the project. The Carnegie Foundation Sponsored Studies sub-series includes grant proposals, 1975 and 1976; Correspondence, 1975-1978; Reports to Carnegie Foundation, 1976-1980; and materials relating to two of the case studies sponsored by Carnegie. Academic Planning Case Studies, 1976-1978, documents Nick L. Poulton's study of the planning process at five major universities. The study provided essential background and comparative information for the Evaluation and Planning Project.

The Administrative Files consist of annual reports, board minutes, records of annual meetings, planning files, notebooks from staff meetings, and the Ecology Center Handbook, by-laws, and articles of incorporation. There is significant overlap between the Administrative Files series and the Printed Materials and Publicity series. Researchers are encouraged to review both series when looking for materials by and about Ecology Center initiative and activities.

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 (1947-1991, 2.5 linear feet) consists of minutes of the center's executive committee meetings, staff meeting notes, and meetings and reports evaluating the center's programs. The executive committee minutes cover a wide variety of topics, including funding, appointments, and research. The staff meeting files often concern future plans for the center.

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, 1983-1996, arranged alphabetically by subject, comprise the bulk of the material in this record group. Researchers should note the four proposals and eight annual reports submitted to the Hewlett Foundation, which provide an overview of the program's history and development. The file containing the first Hewlett proposal, in 1985, also contains correspondence among faculty members regarding the decision to found PCMA and seek funding for it. Many of PCMA's ongoing functions are documented in this series. PCMA kept files regarding consultations with non-profit groups, pedagogical efforts (one course and one theme semester), and the publication of two books. Approximately once every year, the program put out a newsletter PCMA News. The working papers put out by the unit are contained within the records of the Center for Research on Social Organizations. Also included are proposals and correspondence related to the distribution of mini-grants, and correspondence regarding Hewlett Consortium activities and events. Evidence of efforts to facilitate communication among practitioners and researchers include the file entitled "Practitioner's Network," and two reports: Planning and Dispute Resolution at the University of Michigan, and Multiple Levels of Conflict: A Guide to Faculty Resources at the University of Michigan. Several folders of administrative minutes, memos and correspondence covering the years from 1985 to 1995 document all aspects of PCMA, especially colloquia and visits by guest speakers. In these memos and minutes, core faculty frequently discuss the state of PCMA and its development. In addition, administrative matters were frequently discussed at faculty seminars. Any gaps in the administrative minutes should be checked against the seminar minutes, within the series Seminars and Conferences.

Administrative Material series documents Casa de Unidad's history, organizational structure, expenses and contributions. The series contains written accounts of the organization's history, its mission statement, and its by-laws and constitution. The series also contains the organization's financial statements and budgets, board minutes, grant proposals and reports, as well as multiple volumes from Casa de Unidad's bilingual newsletter "El Barrio."

The Administrative Records document the beginnings of the Migrant Health Promotion and the formation of its various programs. It has been divided into three subseries, records from 1982-1989, 1990-1996, and records after 1997. The largest and most substantive portion of the first subseries is a set of "Administrative and Policy Notebooks." These are of two sorts: (1) three volumes cover the years 1983-1984 and include the MMHIO statement of purpose and philosophy, study of the migrant "stream" north and maps listing location of migrant health care facilities, and notes of MMHIO personnel who visited the various camps; (2) 4 volumes probably intended as the executive director's ready reference files and consisting of quarterly reports, financial reports, grant proposals, and related information. Another significant set of materials is a set of volumes labeled "Grant Proposals" and consisting of the various proposals made by MMHIO to state and federal agencies to fund its program of migrant health services directories and more especially its program of migrant camp health aides. The later subseries also contains grants proposals, as well as other fundraising strategies and the organization's strategic planning materials.