Board of Trustees Records 1746-2012

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

This collection provides the most basic source of information about Princeton University's governing body. In addition to minutes of the Trustees' meetings, the collection contains related papers and reports, organized according to purpose.

Description

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Description

The minutes document the Board of Trustees' concerns with overall policy and administration of the University. The other records provide context to the minutes, in the form of background material, especially correspondence and reports. They also provide information on Trustee actions taken through their appointed committees but not necessarily recorded in the minutes.

Collection Creator History

Since its incorporation in 1746, the College of New Jersey (renamed Princeton University in 1896) has been governed by a Board of Trustees, headed ex officio by the Governor of New Jersey and the president of the college. The Trustees are responsible for the overarching policies that guide the trajectory of the university. Traditionally, committees of Trustees have concerned themselves with the major aspects of maintaining and running a university: finance, infrastructure, staff, curriculum, and student life.

Collection History

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Acquisition

Board of Trustee records are periodically transferred to the University Archives from the Office of the Vice President and Secretary.

Processing Information

Arranged and rehoused by Jennifer Bajorek '92 in 1990-91. Inventoried by Carl Esche in 1994. Finding aid written by Sara Bush in 1996. Additions integrated by Christie Peterson in May 2012.

Sponsorship

The University Archives appreciates the generous support of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey who underwrote preservation efforts on the University Charter.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

All Trustee minutes and records are closed for 40 years from the date of their creation. Access to the original Second Charter of the College of New Jersey is not permitted under normal circumstances, given the availability of digital surrogates and printed text.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Copyright is held by the Trustees of Princeton University.

Preferred Citation

Board of Trustees Records; 1746-2012, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• Princeton University

Subject Terms

• Administration
• Education, Higher
• Princeton University
• Princeton University. Trustees

Genre Terms

• Bylaws
• Meetings
• Minutes
• Records

Other Finding Aids

A computer index is available for the minutes spanning 1748-1868. Indexes for volumes covering 1868-1898 are found in the individual volumes.

Also, Volume 44A of Series 1, Minutes, consists of photocopies of old index cards spanning 1898-1976.

Alternative Form Available

Digital images of the Volumes I and II of the Trustees minutes and of the second charter of the College of New Jersey are available via the Princeton University Library Digital Collections website.

Contents and Arrangement

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Series 1: Minutes, 1748-Present

Series 2: Trustees Charters and Bylaws, and other College Rules, 1746-2006

Series 3: Executive Committee Minutes, 1919-1968

Series 4: Meeting Records and other Subject Files, 1746-1952

Series 5: Committee Records, 1746-1987

• Subseries 5A: Curriculum Committee Records, 1916-1969
• Subseries 5B: Finance Committee Records, 1869-1969
• Subseries 5C: Committee on the Graduate School, 1898-1959
• Subseries 5D: Committee on Grounds and Buildings, 1896-1946
• Subseries 5E: Committee on Honorary Degrees, 1746-1964
• Subseries 5F: Library Committee Reports, 1916-1945
• Subseries 5G: Committee to Nominate Committees, 1939-1987
• Subseries 5H: Committee on University Affairs, 1897-1898
• Subseries 5I: Miscellaneous Committees, 1902-2000

Series 6, Clerk's Records, 1881-1951

Series 7, Trustee Resolutions, 1953-2006

Series 8, Trustee Oath Books, 2010-2012