St. Mary's Seminary and University Archives

Collection Description
This collection is comprised of the non-current records of St. Mary's Seminary and University that have permanent historical, legal, fiscal or administrative value. When the Associated Archives at St. Mary's Seminary and University was established, the decision was made to create a separate archives program for the seminary. Up to that time, the records for St. Mary's had been part of the Archives of the U.S. Province of the Society of St. Sulpice. The year 1968 was designated as the starting point for a separate archives program, because it was in 1968 that the position of President of St. Mary's Seminary and University was separated from the responsibilities of the Sulpician Provincial. The Archives of St. Mary's Seminary and University, then, is made up principally of documents dated 1968 and after. Photographs, publications, artifacts, artwork, and blueprints of St. Mary's have also been placed with the Archives of St. Mary's Seminary and University. The documentary records for St. Mary's prior to 1968 remain with the Archives of the U.S. Province of the Society of St. Sulpice because they are so closely intertwined with the Provincials' papers.

Researchers are able to access the open records for both collections through the existing card catalog system. Please see the collection description for the Archives of the U.S. Society of St. Sulpice for more information on these records. (For more information on St. Mary's Seminary and University, please visit their website at: www.stmarys.edu.)

Access Policies
Authorized personnel from Seminary and University offices may request records that their office created at any time with an office of origin request form. To arrange for the transfer of records to the Associated Archives, please fill out a records transfer form and contact the staff to arrange for pick up.

Every effort is made to open Seminary and University records for research as expeditiously as possible. Federal, state, and Seminary and University policies require that some of these records be closed to researchers for varying lengths of time.
Placing restrictions on the research use of records for specified lengths of time is a standard archival procedure that is part of the policy of most archival repositories. While the Associated Archives at St. Mary's Seminary and University is responsible for administering the records restriction policy, the policy itself is determined by the administrators of the Seminary and University who produce and use the records in the course of their activities. Restrictions are placed on the use of records in order to protect the rights of privacy of individuals and institutions. Restrictions of reasonable length facilitate research by ensuring the survival and completeness of the historical record.

Photographs
Comprised of color and B&W prints, slides, and negatives that reflect different aspects of St. Mary's Seminary and University history and student life. They include photos of buildings and grounds, persons connected to the university, sports events, student theatrical productions, and other photos of scenes in student life.

Publications
Comprised of course catalogs for St. Mary's Seminary and University, 1894-, St. Mary's Seminary College, 1969-1977, and the Ecumenical Institute of Theology, 1969-, and the institutional publications the Voice of St. Mary's Seminary, 1924-1970, Alumni Bulletin, 1970-, Annual Reports, 1974-, and Class Notes, 1999-.