Dominican University’s Archives and Special Collections is committed to fostering transparency, open dialogue, and equity through free and open access to its archival collections. Thus our collections are open to faculty, staff, students, and external researchers without regards to academic or institutional affiliations.
Restrictions imposed on Archival materials are included in each collection’s finding aid as well as noted at the time of the request. Additionally, the Archives does not provide access to student records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1223g; 34 CFR Part 99).
Dominican University’s Archives’ access policy adheres to the International Council of Archives Principles of Access to Archives. Dominican University’s Special Collections, meanwhile, are open to the public in full without restriction, though access to some materials might be limited owing to the materials’ physical condition. Availability of manuscripts, documents and records is guided by both University policies and by relevant State and Federal laws.
All institutional records of Dominican University, excepting specific classes of documents as noted below, are made available following a 25 year period after the records’ date of creation (the date as noted upon the document itself) unless the records’ creator has designated a shorter period of time guiding availability, or unless written permission is granted to researcher by the appropriate representative of the department, board or individual in question.
During restricted periods, records are made available only to the office or origin, the staff of the University Archives and authorized record handlers of the University. The Archivist may impose whatever conditions on the use of the records he or she deems necessary to preserve the confidentiality of the information contained in such records. Several record groups are closed for longer periods:
Anonymous studies which request the use of materials otherwise restricted but which can be anonymized through the redaction of protected information, will be considered on a case-by-case basis; no guarantee for the provision of any requested documents prior to the date of general availability is granted. For the protection of its holdings, the University Archives also reserves the right to restrict the use of materials which are not arranged or are in the process of being arranged, materials of exceptional value, and fragile materials.
These policies do not affect or restrict normal administrative uses of a department’s own records.
Special arrangements for the use of Archives materials are made on a case-by-case basis. If you need an appointment we can accommodate other hours. Faculty members who wish to book time for their classes to use archival materials or who had an assignment using primary source materials available in our collection should first contact the Archivist to determine if special arrangement for use will be required. Please provide the Archivist with the text of the assignment at least two weeks prior to any class session. Archives and Special Collections also offers individual or group archival orientation sessions as well.
For further information on the Dominican University Archives contact Steven Szegedi, Archivist: sszegedi@dom.edu or (708) 524-5929; or, contact Jingfeng Xia, University Librarian: jxia@dom.edu or (708) 524-6873.
