Associated Students of the University of San Diego records, 1957, 1969-2015

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
Associated Students of the University of San Diego records
Dates:
1957, 1969-2015
Creators:
Associated Students of the University of San Diego
Abstract:
The Associated Students of the University of San Diego records document the administrative workings of the Associated Students from 1970 to 2006. Records include budget history, constitution and by-laws, event planning materials, meeting minutes, and transition documents. Photographs, scrapbooks, and videos give a glimpse into student life and Associated Students leadership between 1990 and 2008.
Extent:
20 total boxes, 4 oversize (19.5 linear feet) 21 GB (~18,500 digital files)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, University of San Diego Associated Students records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Background

Scope and content:

The Associated Students records cover the administrative workings of the Associated Students of the University of San Diego (AS). AS serves as the governing body of the undergraduate population of USD and represents the student body. Their records, therefore, identify the regular function of the larger organization as well as the committees and branches working within the organization. AS consists of elected and appointed members who sit in on meetings, organize programs, administer funds to student organizations, and assist students with concerns. Given the turnover of elected and appointed members every year, administrative records for each academic year consist of similar types records that document the work of the AS organization. These include changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, job descriptions, meeting minutes, event planning materials, budget materials, and transition documents.

Work for AS is largely completed through the work of a variety of student committees. A student from AS is additionally able to sit in on University administration committees as a representative of the student body. AS administered committees include the Elections Board, Finance Committee, Honor Council, Student Issues Board, and Student Senate. University administration committees include the Student Affairs Committee, University Senate, Academic Affairs Committee, and the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Minutes for these committee meetings are included.

Also included in these records are the administrative records of the Multicultural Relations Board which is a subset of AS. These records include budget files, event planning records, meeting minutes, and publications.

Key topics that are represented within these records include implementation of, and changes to, the Academic Integrity Policy for the University, the 1992 Presidential Debate between George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton that was slated to be held at USD but cancelled, a values survey report on campus ethics, discussion of non-discrimination policies, the variety of student organizations and community events held each year, and changes to the administration of AS throughout the period between 1970 to 2005. Also included is information regarding AS representation on University Administration committee meetings.

In addition to administrative and budgetary records, scrapbooks are also included. The scrapbooks feature the Associated Students Leadership Team, Orientation Week, the Student Alumni Association, as well as general Associated Students scrapbooks which include photographs of the various AS sponsored events that occurred throughout the year.

Biographical / historical:

Prior to the merger of the College for Men and College for Women into a unified University of San Diego, there were separate Associated Student Body organizations for each college. In October of 1968, the ASB presidents of each college, Eric Johnson and Terry Graves, arranged for the first joint meeting to discuss the merger of the two organizations. With the support of faculty, students and administrators, and the approval of the Board of Trustees, a Provisional Constitution was set in place to assess how it fit the workings of the new unified student body. The two student body organizations officially became a united AS government effective in the 1970-1971 academic year.

All undergraduate students at the University of San Diego are part of the Associated Students of San Diego. The governing body of the Associated Students serves as a voice for USD students, supports student organizations, and coordinates programs for the community. As a liaison between the University administration and the students, a member of AS sits on various University decision-making meetings including the University Senate, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and the Academic Affairs Committee. The Associated Students are also advised by members of the USD administration who act as liaisons between the Associated Students, the faculty and the administration.

The structure of AS has altered throughout the years to accommodate student needs. In an effort to address student concerns, the Student Issues Board was created in 1988. It is comprised of class senators, the Secretary of Academics, the Election Chair, the Associate Dean of Students, the AS President and the Secretary of Student Services who work to improve the student experience. An audit of the AS in 1991 prompted the establishment of a Vice President for Multicultural Relations position. This position served to create a more inclusive space for student organizations and served as a liaison for multicultural groups and organizations. Additionally, the Multicultural Relations Board worked to advance issues, support programming, and provide resources to promote diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.

The various committees that assist with administering AS, as well as organizational structure have varied somewhat since the 1970s. By 2016, AS leadership included the President, Vice President, Speaker of the Senate, Communication Chair and Finance Chair. It also included directors appointed by the Vice President and the Chairs. The Legislative Branch includes senators and liaison members from the Residence Hall Association, the United Front Leadership Council, Intrafraternity Council, and Panhellenic. Standing committees are Academics, Inclusion and Diversity, Student Life and Student Organizations.

Processing information:

This collection was processed by Tessie Camina in 2008-2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2016. It is presumed that these materials were retained in original order.

Photographs and digital records were processed and added to the finding aid in 2019. Digital records are found in Series: Administrative Records, Photographs, and Videos.

Arrangement:

The bulk of the Associated Students records are arranged in their original order by academic calendar year.

This collection is arranged into seven series:

Series I. Administrative Records

Series II. Budget History

Series III. Multicultural Relations Board records

Series IV. Scrapbooks

Series V. Awards

Series VI. Photographs

Series VII. Videos

The Budget History and Multicultural Relations series' represent an accrual and therefore do not follow the academic calendar order followed by the administrative records.

Accruals:

Accruals are expected. Addition of Associated Students Plaques, digital files, and photographs added in 2019.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
Date Prepared:
© 2016
Date Encoded:

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, University of San Diego Associated Students records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Location of this collection:
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
Contact:
(619) 260-2730
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Website