Archives Mission
The George Sutherland Archives is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing
access to materials that document the history and development of Utah Valley University.
Collection Scope
The George Sutherland Archives at Utah Valley University collects, preserves, and
provides access to materials that document the development Utah Valley University
and the diverse contributions of its community. Our collections encompass a wide range
of formats, including but not limited to:
- Institutional Records: Documents, reports, minutes, and correspondence related to
the governance, administration, and activities of UVU, its predecessor institutions,
and affiliated organizations.
- Personal Papers: Manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, and photographs that shed light
on the lives, experiences, and contributions of individuals linked to UVU, such as
faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members.
- Oral Histories: Recorded interviews with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community
members that capture stories and experiences associated with UVU, or topics aligned
with UVU's curriculum.
- Publications: Journals, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, yearbooks, and other printed
materials produced by or about UVU and its community.
- Audiovisual Materials: Films, videos, sound recordings, and digital media capturing
events, performances, lectures, and other activities relevant to UVU's history and
culture.
- Photographic Collections: Prints, negatives, slides, and digital images documenting
campus architecture, events, student life, and community engagement over time.
- Artifacts and Memorabilia: Objects, memorabilia, and ephemera related to UVU's history,
traditions, and identity, including awards, clothing, banners, and souvenirs.
- Digital and Electronic Records: Websites, social media content, emails, databases,
and other born-digital materials reflecting UVU's online presence and activities.
The archives prioritizes materials that align with UVU's core values, with particular
emphasis on:
- Materials that represent perspectives, voices, and experiences within the UVU community,
including underrepresented groups and marginalized populations.
- Records that document significant milestones, events, achievements, and innovations
in UVU's history, as well as its evolving role in higher education and society.
- Materials authored by UVU faculty, whether published or unpublished, along with works
created by students or staff at UVU.
- Collections that enhance public understanding and appreciation of UVU's heritage,
mission, and impact on the local community, region, and beyond.
The George Sutherland Archives welcomes donations and collaborations with individuals,
organizations, and departments both within and outside of UVU to expand and enrich
our collections in service of our mission to safeguard and celebrate the university's
legacy for present and future generations.
- Externally donated materials must demonstrate either a strong affiliation with UVU
or provide significant educational/research value for students, faculty, or staff.
Exclusions: The George Sutherland Archives does not collect materials that fall outside its scope
or duplicate existing holdings unless they offer significant additional value. Exclusions
include:
- Personal papers and materials unrelated to the university's mission and activities.
- Materials that pose a risk to individual privacy, confidentiality, or legal restrictions.
- Deteriorating materials that pose significant preservation challenges, especially
those that put other materials at risk.
- Routine administrative records with no long-term value or significance.
- Artifacts and objects not suitable for archival preservation.
- Published books, including rare books, not authored by UVU personnel, or related to
UVU’s development.
The Sutherland Archives reserves the right to reject donations, or parts of donations,
for any reason deemed appropriate by Archives Staff.
Access and Use: The George Sutherland Archives promotes access to its collections in accordance with
the principles of open access, intellectual freedom, and privacy. Materials are made
available for research, teaching, and public engagement while respecting legal and
ethical considerations, including copyright and donor restrictions. Access may be
subject to specific protocols and procedures established by the Sutherland Archives.
