The Chancellor and Senate fonds are among the oldest and most significant records in the University of Alberta Archives. These records document the very inception of the University when through the University of Alberta Act in 1906, the Senate was created as the sole governing body of the University of Alberta. At its first meeting in March 1908, the Senate set the policy for the opening of the University in September 1908. The focus and mandate of the Senate has changed in the ensuing years, but it remains an important component of the University landscape. The Senate represents the public face of the University, and functions with the understanding that "an ongoing relationship with the community is fundamental to the effectiveness of the University." (Senate brochure)

The Chancellor and Senate records deposited with the University Archives span the period from the Senate's establishment as the governing body of the University, to its present functions within the University milieu. These records were received in numerous accessions over the past years, and although physically dispersed, are brought together intellectually in this comprehensive finding-aid to the fonds.

The records have been arranged within three broad series, and further arranged according to sub-series designations as well. Series 1 is the Chancellor and Senate Office administrative records, and include the Executive Officer files; Senate Office files related to Senate membership, correspondence, public relations, and financial matters; and Senate meetings. The meeting files are extensive, and fairly complete in terms of years represented. Early Senate meeting minutes were recorded in bound minute books and are complete from 1903 through 1970. Beginning in 1949, individual meeting files were maintained and contain agendas, minutes, related correspondence, and printed attachments related to specific Senate meetings. The Series 1 records present an excellent overall view of the day-to-day function of the Senate, and document its evolving role within the University of Alberta.

Series 2 records represent the Operational records of the Chancellor and Senate, and include those records related to the research and gathering of information, and the public presentation of this gathered knowledge. Sub-series within this broad series include Reports (usually ones presented to the Senate); Committees; Task Forces; and Hearings/Investigations/Commissions. The records are often quite linked within these sub-series; for example, an Ad Hoc Committee might be struck to consider a specific issue or topic, and this in turn may lead to the establishment of a task force to further develop and explore the topic, as well as prepare a comprehensive report on the findings. The Committee files document activities of the Senate standing committees and ad hoc committees, as well as joint University-wide committees with Senate representation. A particularly significant Senate activity involves the conferring of honorary degrees, and the Honorary Degree Committee files provide a wealth of information about the recipients of these degrees. Their files often contain biographical information about the recipient, nominating papers, photographs, and related correspondence. As the Chancellor is involved with all convocations, the Convocation Committee files also present a variety of information related to honorary degrees specifically, and convocation generally. There are often convocation programs, speeches, invitations, and planning documents. Within the Task Force sub-series, records concerning twenty-five task force investigations are represented, and arranged in their chronological order of establishment within the finding aid. The fourth sub-series of Hearings/Commissions/Investigations is a smaller set of records, and relates to broader University and public wide inquiries.

The final series of records relates to the Chancellors' papers. While information about the role of the Chancellor can be gleaned from all three series of records, this particular series focuses on the role of individual chancellors. Sub-series include Chancellor Installation ceremonies; Chancellor meetings; photographs; and the papers of individual Chancellors. The series is limited in that only nine individual Chancellors are represented (18 Chancellors have served the University between 1908 and 2008), and some of this information is sketchy and limited in scope. However, further information about individual Chancellors can be researched by consulting their private paper donations, or considering the correspondence files in Series 1.

The Chancellor and Senate fonds form a significant contribution to the documentation of the history and ongoing activities of the University of Alberta.

Includes election results (1908, 1927-1929); retirement dinner for President W. H. Johns (sound tape recording, 1969); and correspondance.

The Admissions Committee was the first formal committee responsible for administering student admission at the University of Alberta. The Committee met often although not always with regular frequency. The Registrar chaired the Committee. It was composed of Deans and representatives of a shifting variety of faculties. It originally reported to the Senate holding meetings in the Senate Chamber. The increased volume of admissions and detail of policy required the Committee to report to the General Faculties Council. Until 1969 the Registrar served as Secretary of the General Faculties Council. In this year these duties were relinquished to the newly established Secretariat's Office.

Sub-series consists of material created by the Board of the Directors of Fringe Theatres Adventures in their managment and coordination of annual Fringe festivals.

Sub-series consists of photographs of Peacock's work in theatre during his academic career. Peacock was active in student theatre, particularly through the University Players, and also played small roles in Studio Theatre's early productions.

Title based on contents of file

Sub-series consists of records created in the activities of researching, writing, publishing, and promoting the monograph Mushrooms of Western Canada. Predominantly textual, there is a large number of sketches and paintings of mushrooms in this sub-series. Included in the sub-series is a collection of notecards each containing detailed descriptions of individual types of mushrooms. Records are arranged by descrption of mushroom, otherwise, there is no arrangement schema.

Includes correspondence, speeches, photographs; search committees and installation ceremonies; photographs predate inauguration of the Senate.

Sub-series consists of records documenting the activities of the A.P.E.L. These include liaison and orientation, access, admissions of international students, and admission and transfer.

Includes committees on The War Memorial (Memorial Organ, 1919-1953), Centennial Plans (1963-1968) University Act Review (1966-1974), Role of the Senate (1971), and Withholding Degree Certificates (1977).

Sub-series consists of records of the Fringe Theatre Adventures financial activities.

Includes minutes of the Committee on Convocation (1925-1953, 1976-1984).

Sub-series consists of record documenting the Fringe Theatre Adventures fundraising activities.

Includes awards, lectures, conferences.

University affiliation with provincial colleges began in the University of Alberta’s first year of operation. Early affiliated colleges included Westminster Ladies College (formerly Alberta Ladies' College), Alberta College North, Concordia College, and Llanarthney School for Girls, Edmonton. The earliest recorded documentation of affiliation for these colleges covers the years January 3, 1912 - September 1, 1927. Other early documented relationships include the Senate Committee on Affiliation of Jesuit College (February 14, 1916 - November 21, 1919); Mount Royal College (November 8, 1911 - February 25, 1925); Robertson College (October 6, 1911 - September a, 1925); St. Aidan's College (April 3, 1913 - September, 1919); St. Joseph's College (August 13, 1921 - March 16, 1928); St. Stephen's College (September 15, 1908 - January 19, 1926); and Western Canada College ( August 20, 1908 - August 21, 1926). Records of the first committee on affiliated colleges consist of the minutes of the Committee on Affiliated Colleges. The committee’s existence predates the archival records that begin in 1931. Records of this committee's successor, the Affiliated Colleges Committee, continue until 1974. Like most university admissions responsibilities, the University administered college affiliation through distributed authority across faculties, the Board of Governors, the Universities Coordinating Committee and the G.F.C.

By the 1970s several pieces of provincial legislation articulated the affiliation of colleges with universities in Alberta. The Universities Act and the Colleges Act remain the principal legislation. The role of the Universities Coordinating Council in affiliating a college with universities is described in the Universities Act, Section 60, subsection (4) and in the Colleges Act, Section 25. The role of a University with respect to affiliation of other institutions is expressed in the Universities Act, Section 34, Subsection (1). The role of the Alberta Colleges Commission with respect to coordination of post-secondary institutions is described in the Colleges Act, Section 8, and subsection (i).

The records of this sub-series consist primarily of committee minutes, interdepartmental and extra-university correspondence
concerning college affiliation, studies, tables, and published material examining the concept of affiliation between colleges and the University of Alberta.

Includes Roll(1915-1970), parchments, committee and recipients' files; photographs; ceremonies for Georges Bugnet, 1978 (on videotape), and the Prince of Wales, 1919 and 1983.

The General Faculties Council set up the terms of reference for the Articulation Committee: to consider the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee regarding application for affiliation, renewal of affiliation, and review of existing affiliations. Over time the terms became more general: to formulate and recommend University policy concerning transfer and credit arrangements with the colleges and to ensure smooth transfer and to assist colleges in meeting university program requirements. The committee was composed of six academic memberss elected by G.F.C., the Chair of Admission Requirements, the Chair of the S.S. and Evening Credit Program Committee, two members of the student community, and an executive secretary from the Registrar's Office. The Chair was elected from members of the Committee.

Includes Executive; agendas, minutes, hearings (part on sound tape recordings), reports (1928-1943).

The sub-series consists of records of training of C.O.T.C. students.

Studies include the statues of women at the University; the futures of CKUA and the Faculty of Extension; Native, mature and foreign / visa students; quotas; and second languages.

First-Year Committee sub-series.
Since its inception this committee focused on three overlapping functions: the liaison, orientation, and transition of first-year students into the University of Alberta academic milieu. In the first meeting of the committee on September 29, 1920, President Tory served as Executive of the committee. He articulated the committee’s mandate: “to watch the transition of the student from high school to the University, to observe his capacity and to keep him at work; … to see that he chooses the correct options prerequisite to his senior work and to refer him to the right authorities if he wishes advice in the choosing of a profession” (Freshman Committee Minutes, Book 1, 127-1-7-1-1970091-88, p. 1). The original Committee, with the official title of “Freshman Committee,” reported to the Senate. Within the first year of its existence, the Freshman Committee incorporated the General Faculty Council (GFC) into its functional matrix. Staff teaching first-year students were asked to join the Freshman Committee through the GFC and report to the Freshman Executive Committee on student progress. In October 1944 the Committee changed its name from Freshman to First-Year Committee. In addition to commenting on curriculum in all faculties the committee expanded its mandate. It was also responsible to enforce academic probation and began to liaise with high schools and assist in the orientation of new students. Over time the responsibilities of the First-Year Committee were dispersed across a variety of office located predominantly under the administration of the Office of the Registrar. Principle amongst these was is the office of Admissions Policy, Evaluation, and Liaison Division.
Currently the Post-Secondary Learning Act of Alberta gives General Faculties Council (GFC) responsibility, subject to the authority of the Board of Governors, over "academic affairs" (section 26(1)) and over "standards and policies respecting the admission of persons to the university as students" (section 26(1)(n)). Further, the Post-Secondary Learning Act gives the Board of Governors authority over "admission requirements" (sections 60(1)(c) and (d)). The Board has delegated its authority over admission requirements to GFC.
The Post-Secondary Learning Act of Alberta gives Faculty Councils power to “provide for the admission of students to the faculty” (29(1)(c))

Correspondence and reports related to native students on the University of Alberta campus; included is a statement on racism on the campus, the interim report of the task force on native students and a proposal for a School of Native Studies put forth by the GFC Committee on Native Students.

Includes election results (1908, 1927-1929); retirement dinner for President W. H. Johns (sound tape recording, 1969); and correspondance.

Correspondence and reports related to native students on the University of Alberta campus; included is a statement on racism on the campus, the interim report of the task force on native students and a proposal for a School of Native Studies put forth by the GFC Committee on Native Students.

Correspondence and a report sent to the Chancellor and Senate office regarding Native Student Services on the University of Alberta campus; the report, written by Dr. Carl Urion of the Office of Native Student Services, outlines incidences of racism reported on campus.

Correspondence and a report sent to the Chancellor and Senate office regarding Native Student Services on the University of Alberta campus; the report, written by Dr. Carl Urion of the Office of Native Student Services, outlines incidences of racism reported on campus.

Senate meeting files

Audio recordings of meetings

Index to Senate Actions (1966-1971), Senate and Executive Committee minutes (1964-1977, with gaps), University of Calgary Senate and Executive Committee minutes (1971-1975), Draft minutes (1974-1976), miscellaneous correspondence received (1974) and photographs of Campus Plans

Joint Search Committee ofr a Chancellor: Report and minutes

Verbatim minutes of Senate meetings (September 24, 1976 - April 29, 1977)

Correspondence: Robert Clark - Ron Dalby regarding Management Advisory Institute

Senate meeting transcripts (November 25, 1977-February 24, 1978)

Accession consists of a report titled "Sabbatical Leave: A report to the Board of Governors", by Jean Forest.

Materials include: Chancellor's files (1973-1978), Honorary Degree files (1974-1979), Senate meeting audio recordings (1977-1980) and G. Bugnet Convocation (Legal, 1978)

Audio recording of Senate meetings (September 25/80, November 21/80, January 1981 and May 8/81) and "Street Talk - Are there too many Colleges and Universities?"

Senate Task Force on Dental Service to Rural Areas - reference materials

Colour photographs of November convocation including: Chancellor Jean Forest and Pres. Myer Horowitz with John Schlosser, Prof. Von Weizsacker, Florence Sissons, G. Marahrens and Alf McGhan

Bound convocation programs

Minutes and reports of the Search Committee for Chancellor with names redacted

Files of Chancellor Jean Forest

Office files and audio tapes

Office files (1972-1981) and Commission on University Purpose (1980-1982)

Materials include: Task force on Second Languages (1979-1981), Commission on University Purpose (1975-1983) and Task force on Mature Students (1983)

Commission on University Purpose Report and a Letter of Correction from Dr. Herbert Armstrong

Minutes, Task Forces, Committees and office files

Correspondence (1977-1982), meeting materials (1970-1983) and Honorary Degree Recipients (1982-1983)

Senate minutes and meeting materials (September 21, 9184 Grande Prairie and November 16, 1984)

Senate office files (1975-1985) and Task Force follow-up files (1979-1985)

Office files

Honorary Degree Recipients' files

Executive Committee and Honourary Degree files

Senate meeting records and materials relating to Honorary Degree Recipients

Materials include Chancellors, office and honorary degree files

Office files including honorary degrees, committees and Senate meetings

Task Force on the University and the North

Response to University Planning Documents and Task Force on University Delivery

Task Force on University Delivery - Responses - Deans and Chairmen

Office files including files on Honorary Degree recipients

Materials include: Senate Task Force on Student Finance (1980-1992), Task Force on the University of the North (1993), and Task force on Public Relations (1988-1990).

Office files including honorary degree files

Framed photograph of certificate presented to the Prince of Wales

Office files

Senate Plenary Meeting Minutes; Senate Small Group Meetings

Office files.

Chancellor Hyndman's office files; included is information on Native Student Services and native students at the University of Alberta.

Office files.

Committee for Honorary Degrees - William Aberhart, includes acceptance speech text.

Announcements, invitations, pamphlets and newspaper clippings

"Success by Degrees: Preparing our Graduates for Alberta's Second Century"

This is the final report of the Senate Task Force on Graduate Employability:

Committee documents/minutes, correspondence, special program materials and office/administrative materials.

Photographs: Senate Office (to 1999); and Chancellor Emeriti & others (to 2004).

Audio recordings of interviews by Senate Task Force on Student Engagement (2005).
VHS tape of Senate "City of the Future Program" (2004).
2 computer disks from Senate High School Recruitment Program (2003).
! CD and 1 Zip disk from Senate Community Service Recognition Program (2003).

B&W photographs, galley prints and negatives of Senate farewell commemoration for Senator Schlosser. Others in photos include Sandy McTaggart and President Davenport.

Office/ Administrative Files of the Chancellor and Senate including finance, endowment funds, operating statements, senate plenary meetings and convocations.

University of Alberta Senate Minutes (1963- 1967)

Accession consists of senate Task Force files: Status of Women (1986-1988), Second Languages (1986), and Ethics (1983-1985).

Roll of Degrees - Honoris Causa (October, 1915 - May 1970)

Senate files. Minutes, committees.