Access to Special Collections is limited at this time due to construction. Please contact us with questions.

• Explore digital resources
• Ask a research question
• Make appointments

Records Authority Statement

The University Archives at Special Collections and University Archives, Wichita State University Libraries, is established in recognition of the need to preserve official University records, files, and documents of permanent value.

Administrative officers of the University, and members of the teaching faculty whose performance of administrative duties, committee responsibilities, or chairs of academic departments, put them in possession of files, records, or documents concerning their official duties, are expected to observe the following guidelines:

• The records of the official activities of University officers and offices, including papers and correspondence, official printed material, minutes, committee files, financial, and associated records in any format, are the property of Wichita State University and constitute archival material.

• Archival material in University offices may not be destroyed or placed in storage without the approval of (a) the officer supervising the department where the records accumulate, and (b) the University Archivist.

• The officer in charge of the department where the records accumulate, or the officer in charge of the records of official committees, in consultation with the University Archivist, and in compliance with state and federal laws, will be responsible for deciding how long inactive papers are to be retained in and under direct control of the office, prior to disposition (i.e., destruction or transfer to the Archives).

• Material selected for preservation shall be sent to the University Archives in accordance with a records schedule developed by the University Archivist, in consultation with the officer in charge of the department where the records accumulate.

• The University Archivist shall consult with appropriate administrative officers regarding any special conditions of access which may be placed on any category of records. It is understood that in the absence of specific restrictions, all materials transferred to the Archives will be open to researchers on a non-discriminatory basis.

• The University Archives welcomes the offer of privately owned material bearing on the history of the University.