Introduction
The University Archives is the official repository for UCI’s records of lasting value and historical importance. The Archives collects inactive university records documenting the university's decision-making processes, culture, policies, events, and people of the Irvine campus. Their retention, preservation, and accessibility supports UCI's commitment to instruction, research, and public service. Records are selected for permanent retention by evaluating their long-term value; those retained in the Archives are those that best document the functions and history of the university. The archives does not acquire records of temporary or short-term value.
Records produced by an employee in the course of University business are the property of the University. The Regents have charged the Records Management Coordinator and the University Archivist with deciding how to dispose of these records when the department is no longer actively using them. To contact the University Archives, please email us at: archives@uci.edu
- Do my department's records belong in the Archives?
- Examples of archival records
- Examples of non-archival records
- How do I transfer my department's archival records?
- Procedures for preparing and transferring records
- How do I access my department's archival records?
Do my department's records belong in the Archives?
The Archives accepts records documenting UCI activities, functions, decisions, and/or policies and programs (both adopted and rejected), in every format, once they are no longer needed for current use.
The University Archives acquires departmental records that are inactive, and designated for archives review by the UC Records Retention Schedule. The University Archives does not collect all university records, but aims instead to acquire only records documenting the university's decisions-making processes, significant events, projects, and individuals, and essential cultural history. Approximately 1-5% of records created and received by UC Irvine should be transferred to the University Archives. One copy of all UCI published materials should come to the University Archives.
Examples of archival records (What to transfer)
Our collecting priorities for core administrative records are shaped by the University of California Archivists Council (UCAC) joint Policies for Administration of University of California Archives. The records we actively collect include:
Administrative Records
- University Administrators, including Chancellor’s Office, Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, and Deans (including correspondence, organization charts, minutes of meetings, annual reports, calendars)
- Facilities and Planning (planning documents; "as-built" drawings)
- Academic Senate (including educational planning committee)
- Contracts and Grants (annual reports)
- Registrar (Note: vital records not necessarily retained in University Archives)
- Accreditation documentation
- Founding and incorporation documents
Non-administrative Records
- Associated Students (bylaws, minutes, founding documents)
- Student organizations with a substantial impact on campus
- Bio-Bibliographies and curriculum vitae of faculty
Publications
- Catalogs
- Directories
- Student newspaper
- Yearbooks
- Personnel manuals
- Faculty and staff handbooks
- Administrative websites
Non-textual materials
- Photographs
- Audiovisual recordings
- Campus maps
Examples of non-archival records (What not to transfer)
- Exact duplicate copies of anything
- Routine correspondence, e.g., requests and acknowledgments
- Records of routine matters, e.g., requests for leave, purchase orders, receipts
- Reference files or research material, including news clippings, publications, and form letters of departments or organizations other than your own
- Rough drafts of publications, articles or reports (in most cases)
- Blank forms, letterhead, or other stationery
- Personnel records
- Student information and other student records
How do I transfer my department's archival records?
A consultation with the University Archivist is essential before transferring records, as you will receive expert guidance on your unique records. Please contact the University Archivist (archives@uci.edu) with the following information:
- The types of records you have for transfer (i.e. subject files, committee records, personnel files, etc.)
- How much material you have to transfer (i.e. number of file drawers, boxes, etc.)
- Format: physical or electronic?
If the University Archivist decides that your records should be transferred to the Archives, she will confirm with you which records should be transferred and coordinate boxing the records or transferring digital files. She will want to know the scope of the records, which office produced them, and the business activities they document. We strongly recommend that you include any inventories or indexes you have made of the records, as these will assist us in providing accurate descriptions of your material.
Procedures for Preparing and Transferring Records
The University Archives only accepts material judged by the University Archivist as having long-term historical value. It is preferred that material be properly boxed by your department prior to pick-up. This will often result in a faster transfer time, too. Transferring a large amount of boxes (typically more than six) will need to be conducted by library facilities and requires advanced notice. Please plan accordingly.
Use the right boxes and folders. Please use boxes measuring 10"x12"x15". Boxes and folders are available for free from the archives, and can be delivered or picked up.
For letter-size files, 2 file drawers will require 3 boxes.
For legal-size files, 1 file drawer will require 2 boxes.
For oversized material, please contact the archivist with measurements
Box the records scheduled for transfer. The records will need to be boxed properly. Do not over-pack or under-pack the boxes. Ensure that the lid will fit properly
A correctly packed box will have enough space to remove and replace a file folder easily, but not so much space that the folders fall or bend.
Maintain the filing arrangement of the records (i.e. alphabetical, numerical, chronological, by subject, by committee).
Keep the records in their original file folders and ensure that the files are clearly labeled; include span dates. (Example: Space Planning, 1983-1990).
Remove materials from ring binders and hanging folders and place in file folders
Maintain the original order of the records.
Transfer information from the ring binders and hanging folders to the file folders. If more than one folder is needed then label as, for example, "folder 1 of 2," "folder 2 of 2," etc.
Fill out a Records Transfer Form (DocuSign).
Clearly label the boxes with your department name and box number.
Do not send material identified above as being non-archival records.
How do I access my department's archival records?
Special Collections staff will provide you with reference assistance when you would like to access the records after the transfer. You will need to come in to the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room during open hours, or make an appointment to come in, and register as a researcher. Requests from your office to borrow material that you transferred may be accommodated in special circumstances.