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Development Information Systems records

 Collection
Identifier: A037

Overview

The Information Systems section of Northeastern's Office of Development is responsible for maintaining and processing data relevant to the University's alumni. It is also responsible for processing monetary gifts to the University. Throughout its history, and based on its varying responsibilities, Information Systems has been known as Alumni Records, Research, and Gift Information; Alumni Records; and Alumni Records & Directory.

Northeastern's first Alumni Department opened in 1927, headed by Engineering alumnus William C. White. Its mission was to inform alumni of university affairs, organize alumni events, and gather information on alumni's whereabouts and employment. From at least 1929, the office prepared alumni directories including names, class years, addresses, and present employment information for all Northeastern graduates (and “non-graduates” who wished to remain in contact with the Alumni Association). In the 1960s, the alumni department split into Alumni Relations and Alumni Records, with Records being responsible for managing alumni information and coordinating an annual alumni fund. In 1977-1978, alumni affairs further split into Alumni Records, Alumni Development, and Alumni Relations; Records handled personal information, and development managed gifts. In 1982, Alumni Records became Alumni Records and Gift Information Systems, and gift processing became once again the responsibility of the Records department. In 2001, as the department took on responsibility for all university gifts processing, its name changed to Office of Development Information Systems. Although Information Systems maintains a database of alumni names, addresses, and employment information, it no longer maintains the alumni directory, and is not involved in the actual solicitation of gifts to the university.



Dates

  • Creation: 1992-2015

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is entirely in English.

Conditions Governing Access:

Records are closed for 25 years from their date of creation, unless researchers have written permission from the creating office. Donor information is restricted for 75 years.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Extent

8.0 cubic feet (8 containers)

System of Arrangement:

The collection is organized alphabetically.

Physical Location

42/4

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

These records were transferred from the Office of Development Information Systems.

Bibliography

  • Circa 1998, 1993-1995 (88/2)
  • Northeastern Alumni Bulletin, 1927 (87/3)
  • N.U. Administrative Manual, 1959-2007 (87/2)
  • N.U. Alumni Directories, 1902-2005 (87/1)
  • N.U. Telephone Directories, 1959- (87/2)
Title
Finding aid for the Development Information Systems Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Maria R. Estorino; updated by Jillian M. Price
Date
November 1999, March 2015
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Snell Library
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US