The purpose of the RMU Archives is to collect, organize, preserve, and make available for research official University records and those ancillary records of the University community of sufficient historical, legal, and/or administrative value to warrant permanent preservation. Archival collections do not circulate except at the discretion of the Archivist and/or the Director of the Library.    

Administration

Administered by the University Archivist with the Library Director having ultimate responsibility for determining policy and practice. Items may be requested or solicited by the archivist in accordance with selection guidelines or may be donated by members of the RMU community. All donations are subject to a Deed of Gift (.doc; .pdf) declaration and become the property of the Archives/Library.  All donations are evaluated for acquisition and preservation by the Archivist against the selection guidelines. Donations will be accepted at the discretion of the Archivist and Director of the Library.

General Selection Guidelines

Comprised of materials created through the administration, departments, programs, services, functions, faculty, and staff activities involved the ongoing processes of the University. The collection itself is not comprehensive, but selective.

Collection includes: 

• Official records and publications emanating from any administrative unit or department of the University
• Records of individual faculty, staff, and administration created in their official capacities at the University
• Records and publications of student organizations and groups and the Alumni Association
• Selective news items published by other entities, specifically dealing with University events, functions, and/or people

Selection Restrictions

RMU Archives does not collect digital records, or collections of digital records in non-paper formats. Any non-paper items, photographs, and/or artwork collected by the University in the course of its operation may be added to the Archives on a case-by-case basis, provided the Archives can properly support the collection’s preservation and subject to final approval by the Archivist and/or the Director of the Library.

Realia are not collected outside of special circumstances determined by the Archivist in consultation with the Library Director. The Archives does not include Special Collections.