MenuInventory of the Men's Student Government Association Records, 1925-1969
Abstract
The Men's Student Government Association (MSGA) evolved from student councils in the early 1930s at Duke University's Trinity College. The MSGA was supplanted by the Associated Students of Duke University in 1968. In 1993, the Associated Students of Duke University became known as Student Government Association.
Types of material include minutes, committee reports, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, election records (including records of the disputed 1952 election), constitutions, and resolutions. Materials range in date from 1925 to 1969.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- University Archives, Duke University
- Creator
- Duke University. Men's Student Government Association.
- Title
- Men's Student Government Association Records, 1925-1969
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 2.5 Linear Feet, 2500 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The collection cinludes the minutes, reports and other records of the Student-Faculty-Advisory Committee (SFAC). The SFAC was a subcommittee of the MSGA, created to discuss matters of mutual concern to students, faculty, and the administration (circa 1961-1969). It also includes MSGA minutes, committee reports, correspondence, financial records, newsletters, election records (including records of the disputed 1952 election), constitutions, and resolutions. Major subjects include Duke University, student government, the Men's Student Government Association, history of the Associated Students of Duke University, history of the Student Government Association, policy revision, administration and student relations, alcohol use on campus, segregation, illegal drug use, political activity, origins of the football game Victory Bell, campus traditions, college freshmen, and cheating. Contains restricted materials. Materials range in date from 1925 to 1969.
Administrative Information
A majority of collections are stored off site and must be requested at least 24 business hours in advance for retrieval. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Portions of these materials are restricted by donor request.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllContains correspondence of the Men's Student Government Association from other Duke University departments, student groups, and community organizations. Minutes and correspondence are grouped together in many files. Contains restricted materials.
Includes proposals and recommendations aimed at solving problems on campus faced by students. Proposals usually include background information, research, surveys, and plans for action. Some MSGA proposals concerned long lines in the bookstore, increasing the frequency of the Duke Chronicle so that it could cover more events, establishing a central "ride board," employing housekeepers on Saturdays, and updating the honor code. Ordered by date.
Includes materials pertaining to the 1952 and 1960 elections. The 1952 election was widely disputed due to party pressure and some allegedly underhanded tactics. Accounts of bystanders and participants are included. Ordered by date.
Contains the constitutions and bylaws of the Men's Student Government Association, financial materials and an operating manual. The varying dates of constitutions reflect the MSGA's duties and influence on campus. Student groups wishing to be formally recognized at Duke University, and apply for funding from the student government, submitted charters to the MSGA for approval. Ordered by date.
Contains correspondence, short writings, and drafts of policies regarding certain issues on campus during the 1960s. The memorabilia file contains a handmade invitation to an Alumni Affairs Luncheon. Ordered by date. Some items came from general oversize collection box 3 and were transferred to a legal Hollinger box (box 2) on April 18, 2007.
Contains materials relating to the Student-Faculty-Advisory Committee. The general issue files contain materials on the honor system, segregation, dormitory room privacy, recruiting policies of the University, alcohol use, illegal drugs on campus, and firearms on campus. Correspondence contains an undated flier to a Red Friars event. Materials were transferred to separate legal-sized Hollinger box on April 18, 2007.
Historical Note
The Men's Student Government Association (MSGA) evolved from student councils in the early 1930s at Duke University's Trinity College. In April 1945, the Engineer's Student Government Association merged with the Trinity College Student Government Association to form the Men's Student Government Association. The MSGA created policies governing students, reviewed student group charters, and represented student interests to faculty and administration.
The Men's Student Government Association debated over the administration of the Duke University traditions test to freshmen (and required freshmen caps called dinks), the organization of the Committee on Freshmen Rules and Traditions, and measures taken when students failed the traditions exam. Meetings from the 1940s through the late 1960s included discussions about parking registration, aid for Hungarian students, alcohol use on campus, the issue of segregated seating in Wallace Wade Stadium, integration, and disciplinary actions. Meetings of the 1960s especially reflected student involvement in social issues like the Vietnam War, segregation in the Wallace Wade Stadium, and co-educational housing.
The Student-Faculty Advisory Committee (SFAC), a subcommittee of the MSGA, was composed of presidents of student groups, faculty, and administration. Meetings of the elite SFAC were closed to non-SFAC members, much to the protest of other students. Issues discussed at SFAC meetings significantly impacted policies at Duke University. The committee focused on regulation of illegal drugs, campus political organizations, campus traditions, cheating, the coordinate college system, and the Pickets and Protests Policy. The SFAC was most likely associated with the Order of Red Friars, a secret society of administrators, faculty, and students at Duke University.
The MSGA was supplanted by the Associated Students of Duke University in 1968. In 1993, the Associated Students of Duke University became known as Student Government Association.
Subject Headings
- Duke University. Men's Student Government Association.
- Duke University--History--20th century.
- Duke University. Associated Students of Duke University.
- Duke University. Men's Student Government Association. Student Faculty Advisory Committee.
- Duke University--Students--Political activity.
- Duke University--Students--Attitudes.
- Cheating (Education).
- College freshmen--North Carolina--Durham.
- College students--Alcohol use.
- College students--Drug use.
Related Material
- Associated Students of Duke University Records (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library/University Archives, Duke University)
- Women's Student Government Association Records (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library/University Archives, Duke University)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Men's Student Government Association Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Men's Student Government Association Records were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1973 and 1986.
Processing Information
Processed by Emily Glenn, February 2003
Encoded by Kimberly Sims, July 2007
Accessions A73-19, A86-99 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.