Collection Policy for Faculty Papers
Tufts Archival Research Center (TARC) collects faculty collections that support the teaching and research mission of the institution. TARC will evaluate each collection on a case-by-case basis to determine its appropriateness for accessioning into TARC’s permanent collection. This policy describes the types of faculty materials TARC generally accepts.
Faculty collections generally contain the following types of records:
- Teaching materials
- Research materials
- Records of professional activities
- Personal papers
Teaching Materials
Audio/visual materials, lectures, exams, etc.
Teaching materials relating to courses taught at Tufts are considered university records and as such are part of the record of the particular department or program at Tufts for which the faculty member teaches. More information on retention and disposition of these materials is contained in the university records schedules.
Research Materials
Datasets, field notes, oral histories/recordings, publications, presentations/papers delivered, substantive correspondence, etc.
Research materials include all types of materials generated and utilized in the scope of scholarly research. For many types of research that result in publication, the publication is considered the final result of the research project and as such is the primary record of research activity. In addition to these publications, TARC collects datasets, field notes, oral histories, recordings of events or performances not otherwise documented, or other unique materials that can be considered the product of scholarly research. In general, TARC does not collect materials that are otherwise available, such as photocopies of journal articles, news stories, material from other archival repositories, or other published materials. It generally does not collect drafts or galley proofs of published items. For materials that do not fit TARC’s collecting criteria, it will work with faculty to investigate the appropriateness of transferring materials to the special collections holdings of the university library system.
Professional Activities
At Tufts: Faculty professional activities at Tufts include participation in committees, task forces, or other administrative activities, including tenure review. Materials generated in the course of these types of activities are considered university records. More information on the retention and disposition of these materials is contained in the records schedules.
Non-Tufts: This type of professional activity could include participation in international, national, or regional professional organizations or serving on boards, commissions, or committees outside Tufts. In general, materials generated in the course of this type of activity are considered the records of the particular organization and as such should be transferred to that organization’s archives. Generally, TARC does not collect these materials.
Professional correspondence: Substantive correspondence with others in the field related to research activities falls within the scope of the research materials described above. Correspondence written as a member of a particular organization or committee is part of that group’s records and should be transferred accordingly.
Personal Papers
Personal papers include personal correspondence, family materials, snapshots, mementos, and other memorabilia. Such collections will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with preference given to collections that fall within TARC’s overall collection scope.