Duke University Union records, 1954-2023
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Summary
- Creator:
- Duke University. Union
- Abstract:
- Collection contains records of the Duke University Union (est. 1954), a student-run organization at Duke University, concerning all manner of operations and events sponsored by the Union. Within the collection are records related to student life at Duke, symposia put on by the Union, and social and academic events sponsored by the Union. The collection also contains numerous scrapbooks documenting Union events, members, and history from the 1950s through the mid-2000s.
- Extent:
- 117.25 Linear Feet
52 Megabytes - Language:
- Material in English
- Collection ID:
- UA.09.13.0001
- University Archives Record Group:
- 09 -- Student Affairs
09 -- Student Affairs > 13 -- Student Union
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The earliest records in the collection date to the early 1950s, before the Duke University Union was officially founded. The bulk of the records date from the 1960s through the 1990s, and deal with general Union operations, as well as Union-sponsored events.
Among the events represented in the collection are numerous concerts and symposia. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Union sponsored an annual symposium that dealt with contemporary issues and problems. These events frequently drew notable speakers, ranging from Allen Dulles to Ralph Ellison. Concerts were also regularly scheduled and sponsored by the Union. Some of the bands represented in the collection include the Grateful Dead, the Dave Matthews Band, Gordon Lightfoot, and R.E.M. Among the recurring events that the Union sponsored and are represented in the collection are Joe College, Oktoberfest, an annual tree lighting in December, and Springfest (now the Last Day of Classes celebration).
Finally, performing and visual arts are both well-represented in the collection. The Union sponsored frequent performances of plays and musicals, as well as shows by local, national, and international artists. The Broadway at Duke series was also sponsored by the Union and is represented in the collection.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Duke University Union was founded in 1954 as part of the Office of Student Affairs. Eventually, it morphed into a wholly student-run organization, which it remains today.
- Acquisition information:
- The Duke University Union Records were received by the University Archives as a series of transfers from 1970-2019; and as a gift from Michael Croal in 2023.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Maureen McCormick Harlow, August 2013
Encoded by Maureen McCormick Harlow, August 2013
Accession UA2015-0044 added by Tracy M. Jackson, September 2016.
Accession UA2019-0111 added by Leah M. Kerr, June 2021.
Accession UA2023-0059 added by Leah Tams, January 2024.
Accessions described in this guide: 73--65, 74--94, 74--142, 75--75, 76--132, 77--28, 77-98, 79--41, 80--15, 82--32, 82--35, 82--39, 82--76, 82--98, 83--93, 84--17, 84--88, 84--89, 85--107, 85--120, 88--0046, 89--0074, A90-59, A90-93, A96-12, A96-89, A97-23, A97-55, A97-84, A97-95, A99-38, A99-42, A2000-62, A2001-30, A2004-66 A2004-69, A2004-79, UA2005-0067, UA2007-0001, UA2007-0008, UA2007-0012, UA2007-0045, UA2008-0010, UA2015-0044, UA2019-0111, UA2023-0059.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged into seven series: General Records; Visual Material and Photographs; Policy and Manuals; Scrapbooks; Audiovisual Materials; Publicity/Printed Material; Electronic (Born-Digital) Material. Materials within series are organized in a loose chronological fashion. There are instances wherein it made more intellectual sense to deviate from strict chronological order at both the folder and box level, and this is represented in the arrangement.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
Contents
Using These Materials
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Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Some materials in this collection are electronic records that may need to be reformatted. Access copies of electronic records require special equipment. Contact Research Services for access.
Access note. Collection contains fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Duke University Union Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1vh9m