Systems and Computing, Office of, Records 1967-1977
Archives 58

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Title
Systems and Computing, Office of, Records
ID
Archives 58
Date [inclusive]
1967-1977
Extent
approximate 1465 items,  2.5 linear feet,  3 containers
Abstract
Records include daily correspondence from the office, such as interoffice memoranda, minutes of meetings, office planning information, reports, capital improvement projects and blueprints, research project information, faculty service reports, information on new data processing equipment, etc.

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Organizational History:

As early as 1953 a computing laboratory was operating on the campus of Washington State University. The Computing Center was established at the University in 1956; at that time, data-processing projects functioned under the auspices of the Department of Mathematics. The University offered two courses on the subject of computers, taught in the Department of Mathematics, beginning with the 1956-1957 academic year.

In 1966, a "Program in Information Science" was initiated which included vastly expanded course offerings and faculty members. By 1970, the Department of Computer Sciences, with 15 faculty members, had been formed; this program offered M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. During the same time period, the Office of Systems and Computing began operations as a part of the Washington State University administrative body. This office directs all data-processing operations performed for University business, many officials of the office hold joint appointments in the Department of Computer Sciences and the WSU Computing Center.

Currently, the Office of Systems and Computing consists of Computer Engineering Services, Mathematical/Statistical Faculty Consultants, University Computing Services, and the Computing Service Center. The Office, in addition to administering these sub-units, allocates computing funds to the colleges, approves all acquisitions of computer-related equipment, performs long-range planning for WSU computing, and represents WSU to the State Data Processing Authority.

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Arrangement

The records of the WSU Office of Systems and Computing are divided into three major series: (1) on-campus correspondence with specific university administrative officers, (2) on-campus correspondence with university administrative offices, and (3) off-campus correspondence. The three correspondence series have been arranged alphabetically by subject: material within each subject is then arranged chronologically. This arrangement is consistent ith the original order as received from the office of Systems and Computing. The records range in date from 1967 to 1977.

The records contain the daily correspondence of the office, which is affiliated with the WSU Computer Sciences Department and reflects all aspects of its operation. The Office of Systems and Computing records contain the following: interoffice and interdepartmental memoranda, office planning information, capital improvement planning and blueprints, reports, technical data, research project information, requests for information from various agencies, minutes of meetings, faculty service reports, departmental and faculty correspondence, information on new data-processing equipment, and other business.

Principal correspondents include William Walden, Wallis Beasley, Warren Bishop, K. Abbey, V. L. Shelton, Allan H. Smith, Glen Terrell, Barry Whelchel, James Quann, and officials of IBM Corporation.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

The Collection is open for research use.

Acquisition Information

The records of the office of Systems and Computing were transferred to the University Archives, Washington State University, in December 1979 (UA 79-28) by the office in accordance with the approved records schedule.

Processing Information

The records were processed in October 1980 by Michael Sampson.

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Washington State University. Office of Systems and Computing--Archives
  • International Business Machines Corporation--Archives
Subject(s) :
  • Washington State University. Office of Systems and Computing--Records and correspondence
  • Washington State University--Information technology--History--Archives
  • Washington State University--Information resources management--History--Archives
  • International Business Machines Corporation--Records and correspondence

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Beasley, Wallis--Archives
  • Bishop, Warren A.--Archives
  • Abbey, Kenneth--Archives
  • Shelton, Vessie Lauren, 1911---Archives
  • Quann, C. James--Archives
  • Terrell, William Glenn, 1920---Archives
  • Smith, Allan H.--Archives
  • Whelchel, Barry--Archives
  • Walden, William E.--Archives

Subject(s)

  • Washington (State)
  • Colleges and Universities

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Detailed Description of Collection

1 On-Campus Correspondence--Administrative officers  1968-1977 

box folder

Beasley, Wallis  1968-1977  244 items

1 1-5

Bishop, Warren and K. Abbey  1969-1975  50 items

1 6

Bishop, Warren  1975-1977  27 items

1 7

Shelton, V. L.  1969-1974  98 items

1 8-9

Smith, Allan H.  1969-1977  162 items

1 10-12

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2 On-Campus Correspondence--Administrative Offices  1967-1977 

box folder

Facilities Planning  1972-1977  82 items

2 13

Library  1967-1973  34 items

2 14

President's Office  1968-1976  78 items

2 15

Registrar  1969-1976  62 items

2 16

Staff Personnel  1969-1977  132 items

2 17-18

General  1970-1977  165 items

2 19-20

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3 Off-Campus Correspondence  1968-1977 

box folder

General  1970-1977  263 items

3 21-28

IBM  1968-1977  89 items

3 29-30

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