Mission
The mission of the University Archives is to facilitate an understanding of the history of the University of Dubuque by collecting and preserving records that have enduring value to the University. As such, it serves as the official repository for the permanent records of the University. The Archives make these resources available to the university community and other interested persons or groups.
Criteria
The University Archives seeks to document the significant activities of the University of Dubuque community, which includes the administration, faculty, students, alumni, and staff. In assessing records appropriate for permanent retention, the Archives attempts to collect the documentation produced from the conduct of University business.
Record Types and Formats
The Archives will collect records which give evidence about the functions, policies, and decisions of the University. These records include correspondence, reports, minutes, directives, announcements, publications, architectural and building plans, and any other materials produced by the University in pursuance of its fuctions.
Faculty and staff personnel records are not retained by the Archives.
Records containing student information may be restricted due to University policies and state and federal laws.
The Archives also collects all publications, newsletters, or booklets distributed by the University including catalogs, yearbooks, student newspapers, directories and faculty/staff rosters, faculty and administrative newletters and publications, and alumni publications.
The Archives also collects the following:
- Audiovisual records documenting the development of the University such as photographic prints and negatives, slides, motion picture film, oral history interviews, audio and video tape, discs, and recordings
- University of Dubuque dissertations and theses
- Maps, prints and drawings documenting the physical growth and development of the University
- Selected artifacts relating to the history of the University
- Selected faculty papers
Special Collections includes:
- Synod of the West
- William J. Peterson Collection
- Walter F. Peterson Collection
- Papers of William Vandever
- Rare Book Collection
- American Sheet Music
- Rivers of America
- Other selected material
Reproduction of Materials
The Archives offers scanning services provided the requested reproduction does not damage the materials, violate donor stipulations, is in adherence to the fair use clause of the U.S. copyright law, and is within the capability of the Archives staff. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to copyright, literary property rights, and libel laws.
The University of Dubuque Archives adheres to the Fair Use clause (Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976). All materials, including images, documents, and artifacts, are owned by the University of Dubuque and may not be reproduced for publication or public consumption in any format without permission. By reproducing materials, Archives is not granting permission to publish. For University of Dubuque faculty, staff, or student requesting permission to publish, quote, broadcast, perform, or exhibit, contact the University Archivist or University Library Director. In 2018, per retiring Library Director Mary Anne Knefel, any final sign-offs for publication rights using archives materials for non-UD members should go through University Relations - the library director wouldn't have the authority to sign-off on non-UD people publishing items using UD materials. Please contact Thomas Hogan, Associate Vice President for University Relations.
Procedures to Access Materials:
We welcome reference requests via mail or you may email (Archives@dbq.edu). Include your name, complete contact information and question; please be as specific as possible. In-person access is generally limited to in-house use and by appointment only.
Queries that require an exceptional amount of time may be denied or delayed. In some situations, researchers may come in person to conduct archival research.