Student Life, Diverse Institutional Histories, and Archival Policy: Inclusion of Student Life Archival Material in University Archives’ Collecting Statements

Abstract

Current literature outlines the importance of—and strategies for—collecting student life material in institutional archives but does not address the inclusion of this material within collecting statements. This study examines publicly available collecting statements from Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions’ university archives, seeking mentions of student life archival material, diversity, and proactive approaches for collecting said material. Findings suggest that while many ARL institutions mention student life in these policies, most do not make the connection to how this material relates to diversity within the university archives, nor do they provide a proactive approach for collecting this material.