In this section

• Mission Statement
• Authorization Policy: College Archival Records
• Authorization Policy: Manuscripts and Special Collections

Simmons College Archives

Archives/Records Management Mission Statement and Authorization Policy

Mission Statement

The mission of the Simmons College Archives is to identify, collect, organize, preserve, and make available records and other materials that reflect the history and development of Simmons College, including its graduate schools and programs. Materials collected by the College Archives include, although not exclusively: official college records; college and student publications; photographs and slides; student theses and dissertations; faculty committee records; student club committee records; selected alumni papers; the papers of former members of the faculty and administration; and memorabilia.

The Simmons College Archives also oversees a records management program for the College. This program supports the operations of the College and ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and other legal requirements.

Authorization Policy: College Archival Records

All administrative officers of the college, including members of the teaching faculty whose performance of administrative duties puts them in possession of publications, files, records, or documents (including electronically stored or generated materials) pertaining to their official duties, are required to observe the following policies:

1. The records of the official activities of the college officers and offices are the property of Simmons College.

2. Such property is not to be destroyed, or disposed of, or placed in storage without the approval of: (a) the officer in charge of the department where the papers accumulate; and (b) the College Archivist or Records Manager.

3. The officer in charge of each administrative or academic office is required to send three copies of every college publication created by that office to the College Archives.

4. The officer in charge of each administrative or academic office determines, in consultation with the College Archivist or Records Manager, when records cease to have current administrative value. The College Archivist or Records Manager will, in consultation with the appropriate College authorities where necessary, determine which of these records have permanent fiscal, legal, historical and other research value to Simmons College. Further, the College Archivist or Records Manager will arrange for the systematic transfer of records to either the College Archives, an appropriate record storage area, or disposal.

5. The College Archivist or Records Manager will consult with administrative officers to determine the type of restrictions to be placed upon the use of confidential records.

6. The President may add such further policies and directives as may be necessary or appropriate.

Authorization Policy: Manuscripts and Special Collections

The Simmons College Archives is authorized to obtain and house the records and other materials of individuals, institutions and organizations whose work or purpose reflects or is connected to the various disciplines taught by the college, its graduate schools, and programs. In most cases, the College Archivist will request that ownership of the materials be transferred to Simmons College, but, in some cases, will administer and act as a depository for the materials (e.g., Special Libraries Association). The College Archives reserves the right to charge storage and processing fees for any materials housed and/or administered by the College Archives that have not been transferred to the ownership of the college.

Please Note: The images and text on the Simmons College Archives web site are made available for study purposes only. They may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Simmons College Archives. For further information, please call 617-521-2440.

Page updated: September 13, 2005