The Woman's Student Government Association (WSGA) was formed in 1918, and the organization continued when the Woman's College was incorporated on East Campus in 1930. The WSGA was responsible for the "regulat[ion] of all matters pertaining to the life of the women of the Woman's College of Duke University, not under the jurisdiction of the Faculty." This autonomy along with the segregated campus life style of the coordinate college allowed female students to develop leadership skills and confidence that an integrated student government may not have allowed them to gain. Collection contains minutes, correspondence, reports, printed matter, memos, clippings, and other official records of the WSGA and its committees, along with records of several student organizations and documents generated by the administrations of the Woman's College and Duke University. Materials range in date from 1919-1974.
The Men's Student Government Association (MSGA) evolved from student councils in the early 1930s at Duke University's Trinity College. The MSGA was supplanted by the Associated Students of Duke University in 1968. In 1993, the Associated Students of Duke University became known as Student Government Association. Types of material include minutes, committee reports, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, election records (including records of the disputed 1952 election), constitutions, and resolutions. Materials range in date from 1925 to 1969.
The Duke Student Government (DSG) replaced the existing student government, Associated Students of Duke University (ASDU), in 1993. DSG is the governing body of Duke undergraduate students and acts as the principal liaison between them and the University administration. It presents students' views on the affairs of the University community, appoints students to University and Board of Trustees committees, and oversees and allocates funds to student clubs and organizations. The Duke Student Government Records contain materials of both the DSG its organizational predecessor, Associated Students of Duke University (ASDU). Records consist of correspondence, legislation, minutes, reports, printed matter, judicial decisions, charters, memoranda, speeches, receipts, vouchers, and other materials, and document student governance and political activity, organizations, events planning, housing, and interaction with Duke University administration and the Board of Trustees.
The Associated Students of Duke University (ASDU) was the student government at Duke from 1967 to 1993. It originated in March 1967 when the student body voted to merge the Men's Student Government Association and the Women's Student Government Association. ASDU consisted of an executive branch and a legislative branch. A student referendum in April 1993 replaced ASDU with a new organization, Duke Student Government, in which the legislative and executive branches were consolidated. ASDU records consist of minutes, correspondence, legislation, reports, printed matter, judicial decisions, charters, memoranda, speeches, receipts, vouchers, and other records. The ASDU records provide insight into student life during a time when students were becoming more active in university affairs. The records also document student organizations at Duke at this time and demonstrate some of the services provided to students by ASDU.
The Duke University Campus Council is dedicated to providing support and direction for students through active leadership in the community and is the primary governing body of residential life issues. Collection contains organizational materials relating to the daily operations of the Campus Council.
The Divinity Student Council (DSC) is a student organization within the Divinity School that coordinates and assists students and other student organizations within the school by approving the creation or affiliation of groups as official DSC student gourps, assisting in the planning and communication of events and activities, representing the needs and concerns of the student body to the administration of the Divinity School, discovering and responding to the needs of the student body, and collecting dues and other monies for these purposes. The Divinity Student Council Records consist of materials related to the functions of the Divinity School Council, especially in the planning of events and activities, the election of representatives, and its work with affiliated groups.