Board of Trustees Records

Collection

Identifier: LU-RG02-002

Staff Only

This collection consists of records of the Board of Trustees at Lawrence University, dating from 1847 to the present. Records include directories and information about members of the board; correspondence; agendas, minutes, and other materials accompanying meetings of the full board, Executive Committee, and other committees of the board.

Dates

1847-2023

Creator

Lawrence University (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Records of the Board of Trustees are closed 50 years from the date of records creation. During this period, members of the Board of Trustees retain the right to access these records. Researchers may only use materials with the written approval of the Secretary of the Board. After 50 years have elapsed, the records are open, subject to such restrictions as the Secretary of the Board or the Archives shall deem necessary. All meeting minutes and related materials of the Board and its committees fall under this Category, except for records of deliberations of the Board in "Executive Session," which shall be presumed to be closed.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights and copyright reside with Lawrence University. For uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.), please contact the University Archivist.

Extent

37.75 Linear Feet (43 boxes, 34 volumes)

121 Megabytes

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

The Board of Trustees was established following the granting of the charter to Lawrence Institute of Wisconsin in 1847. Until 1933, the Board included twelve ministers elected by the Wisconsin Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, known as the Board of Visitors. Today, the Board consists of approximately thirty members and meets three times annually. According to the University's by-laws, the Board of Trustees is "responsible for the direction and welfare of the University. Among the Board's purposes shall be to assist the Administration in enabling the University to function effectively and efficiently by regularly reviewing the University's financial and strategic plans and priorities and offering guidance to the President in that regard; and identifying particular strategic issues that may merit the attention of the University and recommending to the President priorities for consideration of those issues by the Administration."

Arrangement Note

Materials are arranged in 6 series: 1. General information, 1921-2015 2. Correspondence, 1910-1981 3. Meeting materials, 1847-2016 4. Executive Committee meeting materials, 1848-2010 5. Committee files, 1849-2013 6. Reports to the trustees, 1849-2001

Method of Acquisition

Committee and meeting materials, 1995-2008 transferred from the Office of the President, December, 2007. Committee materials, 1987-1998 transferred from the Office of the President, May, 2008. Committee and meeting materials, 1999-2009 transferred from the Office of the President, August, 2011. Audit (2005-2013), Finance (2004-2013), and Investment (2006-2013) committees meeting materials transferred from the Office of Financial Services, 2015-03-20. Additional committee materials (Boxes 39-43) transferred from the Office of the President, summer 2021. Other materials aquired prior to 2005.