College Records

Access

Springfield College’s archival records--other than widely distributed records, such as open meeting minutes, College publications, and publicity photographs--will normally remain closed for 25 years from the date of their creation. Access to record series spanning several years will be granted 25 years from the most recent date in the series.

During the period of restriction, records will be available only to current staff of the President's Office, the office of origin, and the College Archives and Special Collections. Consideration will be given for access by others when a written request is presented to the College Archivist and written approval has been obtained from the appropriate individual in the office of origin or the appropriate individual now responsible for the function performed by the defunct office of origin.

Records will be made available in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Springfield College and federal and state regulations governing access to student and other records.

Collections

Springfield College Armed Forces Collection (RG104) (Finding Aid & Digital Documents)

The Springfield College Armed Forces Collection contains correspondences, drawings, enlistment records, mailing lists, photographs, publications, scrapbooks, and service records which showcase the sacrifice and service of alumni during wartime. 

The College’s ties with the YMCA resulted in many alumni, students and faculty going overseas to work as YMCA camp secretaries. Like many colleges and universities across the country, Springfield established their own SATC unit on campus and built a barracks for them in 1918. The United States entered the World War One on April 6 1917 and in response Springfield College offered war work courses for YMCA secretaries. The training of war work secretaries and physical education directors were important contributions to the war effort by the college. The YMCA provided canteen services at the invitation of the US government and raised more than 150 million dollars (equivalent to 2.7 billion dollars in 2014) in order to comply with the request. This kind of work was not new to the YMCA which provided similar services during the Spanish American War. 

During World War Two, the college housed multiple branches of the military. The soldiers billeted on campus included those in the 323rd college training detachment, the Navy at their contractual Convalescence hospital, Quartermaster Corps and a unit of military police.

Secretarial Department Records (A1) (Finding Aid)

This collection documents the administrative and academic work of the Secretarial department, established at the School in 1885 to train young men for work as secretaries (executives) of YMCAs in the United States and around the world. Included is correspondence, both incoming and outgoing for the first 25 years, applications for admission, and plans of study (course syllabi) from 1885-1896. 11 boxes. 

Cosmopolitan Club Records (RG105) (Finding Aid) 

This collection contains materials created by and about the Springfield College Cosmopolitan Club. The Cosmopolitan Club was established in 1921 to give life to foreign students’ aspirations, to bond all the students at the college together in a feeling of brotherhood and international goodwill, and to run activities with other clubs throughout the country. It existed well into the 1990s when many of its services were replaced by the International Student Organization (ISO). Materials within the collection consist of newspaper articles, printed materials, and photographs of members and events. 

YMCA Hall of Fame Records (RG103) (Finding Aid) 

This collection documents the history and governance of the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College and also provides information about individual inductees and induction ceremonies from the Hall of Fame’s founding in 1985 to the present. The purpose of the YMCA Hall of Fame is to provide “a forum to recognize professionals who personify what is best about the YMCA. It honors individuals who have devoted their lives to the building of community, encouraging each person to develop to their [sic] fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body. In recognition of Springfield College’s historic partnership with the YMCA dating back to the College’s founding in 1885, the Advisory Council and Hall of Fame Committee chose the College as the site for the YMCA Hall of Fame in 1985.” Materials in the collection primarily include governance documents, committee memos, correspondence, videos, photographs, nomination forms and biographical information on inductees.