The Sandra and Bernard Featherman University Archives

While historical collections currently exist for UNE’s two precursor institutions, St. Francis College and Westbrook College, as well as for its College of Osteopathic Medicine, there has never before been an archives dedicated to the history of UNE as a whole, which was established in 1978 when St. Francis College merged with the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. The creation of the Sandra and Bernard Featherman University Archives will facilitate a seamless continuity of historical documentation of the institution, in all of its forms, from 1830 to the present. The Archives will enrich the UNE community through exhibits and other programming and serve as a resource for understanding UNE’s unique and impactful history.

Aims and Goals

We collect records from across the university which document functions, responsibilities and activities of the university. We consider a record to be any recorded information created or received and retained as part of the normal function of your department or college.

We will collect and preserve records of historic value that are no longer actively used, referenced, or updated. Working files will remain with your department.

Process for Collecting Records

Records Liaison: Each department or office will be asked to designate a records liaison to identify records of value, assist in records transfer to the archives, and serve as a liaison.
Archives Survey: In order to understand what records are created by UNE’s intellectual activity, staff will be asked to conduct a survey identifying the types, formats and storage of records.
Meet with Departments / Offices: We will meet with each records liaison to discuss the survey answers, arrange for transfer of archival records to the archives, and schedule regular transfers of materials.
Transfer of records: We will arrange for the transfer of records to the Archives including boxes, folders, and thumb drives.
Continued Access: We will provide departments and offices with a simple process for identifying and recalling records they need to access for their work.

FAQs

What types of records should we save?

For the most part you will not be asked to save anything different than you save now. A few of the types of records the archives is interested in include but are not limited to:

Final products including, publications, reports, studies, and exhibits.
Correspondence , including email, from or to department heads.
Meeting minutes and supporting documents

Who should be the records liaison?

The records liaison should be someone with knowledge of the records created by the department, and where and how they are stored. This individual may be an office manager or administrator, or any member of the office or department.

How much time will this take?

The time commitment is limited, although the project will require more time to get started in order to identify records, complete the survey and meet with the archives staff. The total amount of time will differ depending on the size of the department, the types of records it creates and total amount of records. Once these first steps are completed the time commitment will be substantially less. UNE Archives staff will offer support throughout the project.

How do we get started?

Each department or office should designate a Records Liaison and complete the survey. Archives staff will be in touch to arrange a meeting in the coming semester.

Questions

For questions regarding the UNE Archives, please contact Archivist Zachary Enright.