Central Upper Peninsula and University Archives Policy - NMU Policies and Requirements

Central Upper Peninsula and University Archives Policy

Purpose:
To provide for the Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives, as well as appropriate mechanisms for the preservation, retention, and disposal of official University records and for materials which have enduring historical and research value.

Applicability:
This policy applies to all employees and students, University offices and organizations. This policy applies to University Records that have reached the end of the records retention perod, as defined by the Records Management, Retention and Disposal Policy. In addition, this policy applies to historical materials which are not official University records, but document the history of the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

Policy:

Northern Michigan University has a responsibility to preserve records containing evidence and information regarding its origins, history, and development, and the achievements of its officers, employees, and students.  The Central Upper Peninsula and NMU Archives serves as a repository to ensure the preservation of these accumulated inactive and/or non-current records of the University and the papers of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others which have continuing value.  Thus, the Archives serve as the University’s institutional memory, preserving the many individual contributions that have shaped its growth.

The primary purpose of the Archives is to preserve certain records of the University that are of enduring historical and research value. Records generated or received by University officials and other University personnel in the conduct of their work are public records.  At the end of their University Records Retention period, these records of official activities are scheduled for either destruction or transfer to University Archives. Historical records are not to be destroyed without the review and approval of the University Archivist.  Because records created by the officers and offices of the University are public property and proper management is a public trust, the University is committed to providing the resources required to enable the Archives to fulfill its mission.

In addition to preserving University records, the Archives will collect historical materials which are not official University records but which document the history of the Central Upper Peninsula.  Such archives are subject to space and staff limitations while taking into consideration the potential danger of the destruction of such materials if they are not collected by the Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives.

The University Archivist bears primary responsibility for selecting records of historical and research value.  

Related Policies and References
● Transfer of University Historical Records to Archives Policy
● Records Management, Retention, and Disposal Policy
● Library and Instructional Support Bylaws