Society of American Archivists - UT Student Chapter

Meeting Called to Order at 5:00pm by Adam Knowles.

In Attendance:

Amy Armstrong, Secretary
Stephanie Beene
Michelle Bogart
Caitlin Bumford
Don Drumtra
Patty Drumtra
Jessica Fishman
Fiona de Young
Robert Gates
Dr. David Gracy, Faculty Advisor
Amanda Graham
Melissa Guy, Vice President
Kelly Jensen
Karyn Jones
Shannon Keith
Adam Knowles, President
Ancelyn Krivak
Helen Kuncicky
Julia McGarey
Brian McNerney
Rachel Medina
Kevin O’Sullivan
Bijal Patel
Sarah Potrin
Amber Powell
Susan Rittereiser, Austin History Center (AHC)
Brittany Anne Robertson
Shelley Rowland
Laurel Rozema, Web Master
Jessica Sanders
Jesse Saunders
Christian Schley
Simon Staats
Alta Valliant
Eryn Whitworth
Ashlynn Wicke, Treasurer

I. Introductions & Welcome I.SAA-UT/SAA Membership

Membership dues are $5 and members are asked to join the national SAA organization which is about $40. Meetings and activities are open to everyone even if they are unable to pay to join the organization. Membership forms are available and Ashlynn will take them following the meeting.

II. Potluck

The traditional Fall potluck will be at 6:30 this Friday at Dr. Gracy’s home. See the Web site for directions. Adam will post a sign up sheet on the SAA-UT bulletin board following the meeting.

III. Archives Week, October 15 – 20, 2007

The chapter’s primary activity is planning and hosting events as part of Archives Week, which is a national effort started by the SAA national chapter. Events help promote and educate the public about archives and their value and use by society. This year’s theme will focus on politics and archives. Members are interested in deciding upon a more interesting title that unifies the events and speakers and will draw people to the events. Members are encouraged to email Adam if they have any suggestions.

Nancy Zimmelman Lenoil is the State Archivist of California. She will speak on Monday, October 15th at 7pm at the LBJ Library and will speak about managing the papers associated with the Robert F. Kennedy assassination. A reception will follow at the LBJ Library. Ashlynn has been working with caterers for price estimates. The chapter has already purchased Nancy’s airplane ticket.

Dr. Donna Guy is a history professor at Ohio State University whose research interests include Women’s History and Latin American History. She will speak on Thursday, October 18th at 4pm at the Benson Latin American Rare Books Reading Room and will speak about her experience using archives under a military dictatorship in Latin America, particularly in Argentina during the “Dirty War.” UT’s Department of History is co-sponsor for this event because Dr. Guy is appearing as part of the department’s Latin American Distinguished Speakers Series. SAA-UT and the History Department are splitting Dr. Guys travel expenses. There will not be an SAA-sponsored reception following this event as Melissa is planning to ask one of the Latin American Studies Faculty members to host a dinner for Dr. Guy after her SAA talk.

A panel discussion comprised of local speakers will be scheduled on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Dr. Philip Doty, ISchool Faculty Member, will speak about the Bush Administration’s policies concerning archives and information. At least two additional speakers need to be located for the panel. Some possible speakers that were discussed: Caroline Frick, ISchool faculty member, to speak about the politics of preservation; someone from the HRC to speak about the Watergate papers; someone from the LBJ Library to speak about the declassification of NARA documents; Betty Sue Flowers from the LBJ Library; Mark Duffy, Archives of the Episcopal Church; Dana DeBeauvoir, Travis County Clerk, to speak about record-keeping, the process of overseeing elections, and the politics of records; Janette Goodall, City Records Manager. If anyone has any other ideas, please email Adam.

The chapter applied for funding from the University Co-op and has received $525. Adam has drafted letters to Holinger and Metal Edge companies to request funds. In the past, they have donated about $100. The chapter plans to apply to the College Senate and the Graduate Student Assembly, but this request must come from SASI. Adam emailed Dean Dillon to request funds from the ISchool, but hasn’t received an answer yet.

Adam asked members with an interest in graphic design, marketing, or PR to volunteer to work on publicity for Archives Week. The Austin History Center has traditionally sent press releases to local media outlets, printed poster for the Archives Clinic (which is held on Saturday), and sent the paperwork to the Mayor’s Office for the Mayoral Proclamation. This is a good opportunity to get creative and develop marketing skills. Anyone interested in working on this and with the AHC should email Adam.

IV. Other Events

In the past, the chapter has scheduled tours of local archival repositories; if anyone has an interest in visiting a particular repository, please let the chapter know.

Ancelyn is organizing EAD lessons at the AHC as part of her Capstone project. This will consist of five 3 hour sessions; participants are asked to attend all five. Please email Ancelyn if you are interested. ancelynk@yahoo.com

Many possible speakers may be able to present throughout the semester. Dr. Gracy mentioned just a few possibilities: Lee Miller, past President of the Academy of Certified Archivists, creator of Ready, Net, Go, and the Archivists’ Day Book; the Archivist from Kraft Corporation; Rebecca Hawkins from the SAA Council.

V. Next Meeting:

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 5:00pm at Scholz Garden, San Jacinto.

Meeting Adjourned: 6:00pm

Respectfully Submitted,
Amy E. Armstrong
Secretary
SAA-UT Student Chapter