University Annual Reports collection

This collection contains annual reports created by academic and administrative departments within Appalachian State University between 1961-2010. This collection does not contain annual reports from every department. The reports include information about major accomplishments and areas of improvement, as well as logistics and financial matters for each department. Collection consists of annual reports as well as material referencing the creation of annual reports, such as memorandum, notes, and drafts.

The annual reports were compiled each school year by varying departments within the University. Prior to the compilation of reports, a set of guidelines was sent to each department/office from the President's Office, which provided a model for their creation. Typically, the reports were authored by the head of each department, though the information they consisted of was provided by numerous department members. They were expected to contain information regarding major accomplishments, updates on faculty and staff needs, and areas for improvement. Furthermore, the reports were also expected to contain financial statements from each department. After a report was completed by the department head, it was sent several places depending on that department's place in the University's hierarchy. For instance, the Departments that consisted of the College of Arts and Sciences typically sent a report to the College as well as the President's Office. This was done to allow the College of Arts and Sciences to create its own report using those compiled by the Departments under its umbrella. Once the President of the University had received and reviewed all the annual reports, he then created a report which was given to the Board of Trustees. The collection herein displays the numerous department merges/name changes that occurred throughout the University's history.