Finding Aid for the Kent State University Office of Special Events records

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Kent State University Office of Special Events Records
Inclusive Dates: 1923-1972
Bulk Dates: 1964-1972
Author: Kristin Silvestro, October 2025
Origination: Kent State University. Office of Special Events 
Extent:  .83 cubic feet (2 boxes=1 half record storage, 1 document case)
Physical Location: 10th floor
Abstract: This collection includes records created by the Office of Special Events as well as records received and retained by the Office of Special Events.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

History of KSU Office of Special Events: 

According to an October 1964 bulletin from the Office of the President (see annual reports folder 1964-1968) the Office of Special Events was the "official University agency responsible for scheduling and calendaring special events" which were defined as any event not "classified as a regularly scheduled academic activity by the Registrar's Office." The office was also responsible for assigning all physical spaces for these special events. According to the bulletin, the office was originally assisted in their work by a committee made up of different administrative units including Housing, Food Service, Maintenance, Information Service, Security, Registrar, Student Personnel, Audio Visual, and the Athletic Department. Based on the dates of the documents in this collection and a review of the campus directories, the Office of Special Events seems to have been an active unique office primarily in the early-mid 1960s and through the early 1970s. The Office of Special Events is no longer an independent office on campus in 2025. Most of the office's prior responsibilities fall under multiple different offices and departments.

Scope and Content: 

The records in this collection are organized as an alphabetical subject file. Most of the collection is different event calendars published by the office. A group of documents and programs from the 1920s and 1930s are also part of this collection, presumably because they pertain to special events, but they were not created by the Special Events Office, and their origination is unclear. The bulk of the collection is from the mid-1960s through the early 1970s.

Statement of Arrangement: The records are organized into a single alphabetical series.

Preferred Citation: Kent State University Office of Special Events records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information: The exact provenance and date of acquisition is not known for these records. 

Controlled Access Headings:

Subjects
Kent State University -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Universities and colleges -- Ohio -- Kent -- Administration -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Special events -- Ohio -- Kent -- Management -- History -- 20th century -- Sources

Genre/Form
Business correspondence
Annual reports

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. Calendars- Annual, 1961
2. Calendars- Annual, 1965-1966
3. Calendars- Annual, 1966-1967
4. Calendars- Annual, 1967-1968
5. Calendars- Annual, 1968-1969
6. Calendars- Annual, 1969-1970
7. Calendars- Annual, 1970-1971
8. Calendars- Annual, 1971-1972
9. Calendars- Monthly, 1964
10. Calendars- Monthly, 1965-1966
11. Calendars- Monthly, 1967-1969

Box 2
Folder -- Contents

1. Calendars- Monthly, 1970-1971
2. Calendars- Monthly, 1972
3. Calendars- Special Events, 1964
4. Calendars- Summer Conferences, 1966, 1970
5. Calendars- Weekly, 1963
6. Calendars- Weekly, 1964
7. Correspondence, 1968-1971
8. Planning Documents, 1920s-1930s
9. Programs- Christmas Banquet, 1930s-1940s
10. Programs- Senior Banquet, 1920s-1930s
11. Programs- Teachers Banquets and Conferences, 1920s-1930s
12. Reports- Annual, 1964-1968
13. Reports- Annual, 1969-1972
14. Reports- Staff Meetings, 1971-1972
15. Reports- Summer Conferences and Institutes, 1969