Men's Student Government Association records, 1925-1969

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Summary

Creator:
Duke University. Men's Student Government Association
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.
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
UA.31.02.0001
University Archives Record Group:
31 -- Student/Campus Life
31 -- Student/Campus Life > 02 -- Student Organizations-Government

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
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.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Portions of these materials are restricted by donor request.

Terms of access:

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Men's Student Government Association Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.