Repository:

Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Title:

Kent State University Campus Bus Service records

Inclusive Date(s):

1967-2004

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Stephanie Wachalec, December 2003

Creation:

Finding aid encoded by Edith Serkownek using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2017

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS 2nd Edition

Origination:

Kent State University. Campus Bus Service

Extent:

16.15 cubic feet (23 boxes=4 record storage boxes, 1 half-sized record storage box, 5 document cases and 13 flat boxes)

Physical Location:

11th Floor

Finding Aid Identifier:

OhKeUSC0188

Abstract:

This collection contains bus schedules, maps, newsletters, scrapbooks, photographs, employee rosters, and other items related to the history and operation of the Kent State University Campus Bus Service between 1967 and 2004.

Revision(s):

August 2017 - Revised by Edith Serkownek

Language(s):

The records are in English.

History of Campus Bus Service

The Kent State University Campus Bus Service (CBS) was created in the late 1960s in order to alleviate parking and traffic problems resulting from the growth of Kent State University's physical campus and its student population. Bus service commenced in the spring of 1967. The fleet initially consisted of three buses which were operated by a staff of 15 student drivers under the auspices of the Office of Parking and Traffic. Maintenance was done in an area under the bleachers of the Memorial Stadium, until a warehouse was eventually rented on St. Clair Avenue. From 1972 to 1991 CBS worked in cooperation with the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA) and was able to receive some federal and state grant funding. Eventually CBS operated a fleet of 32 buses and vans and had over 200 employees to serve Kent State University and the surrounding area. However changes in student transportation preferences and the University's commitment to building large-scale parking facilities resulted in CBS's eventual closure. Kent State University reached an agreement with the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority to take over all public transit services both on and off campus, and CBS ceasing operations in June of 2004.

Scope and Content

This collection, which dates from 1967 to 2004, contains bus schedules, maps, newsletters, scrapbooks, photographs, employee rosters, and other items related to the history and operation of the Kent State University Campus Bus Service.

Statement of Arrangement

The Campus Bus Service records are divided into series as follows:

• Series 1: Bus Schedules and Maps
• Series 2: Employee Rosters
• Series 3: Newsletters
• Series 4: Newspaper Clippings
• Series 5: Photographs
• Series 6: Scrapbooks and Photographs Albums
• Series 7: Subject Files
• Series 8: Oversized Material
• Series 9: Artifacts

Preferred Citation

Kent State University Campus Bus Service records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

In 2004 the Campus Bus Service offices transferred a collection of CBS-related material to Special Collections and Archives as part of the organization's closure, adding to a small existing archival collection.

Controlled-access Headings

The following topics and materials are found in this collection:

Subjects:

• Kent State University. Campus Bus Service -- Archives
• Bus lines -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
• Bus travel -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
• Bus travel -- Ohio -- Kent -- Maps
• Local transit -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
• Kent (Ohio) -- History
• Kent (Ohio) -- Maps
• Transportation -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
• Bus lines -- Ohio -- Kent -- Employees

Functions:

• Local transit -- Management
• Bus lines -- Management

Occupations:

• College administrators
• Bus drivers
• Bus lines -- Employees

Material Types:

• Maps
• Newsletters
• Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
• Photographs
• Photograph albums
• Scrapbooks
• Bus lines -- Timetables
• Directories

Detailed Description of the Collection