University of Denver Board of Trustees Records

Collection

Identifier: U114

Staff Only

Dates

1864-2010

Creator

University of Denver. Board of Trustees (Organization)

Extent

37.75 Linear Feet (Thirty three (33) record boxes, two (2) document boxes, three (3) custom flat boxes.)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The Board of Trustees Records include the records of the Board of Trustees of Colorado Seminary, an entity created by Legislative Charter in 1864 which holds legal title to University property, and the Board of Trustees of the University of Denver, the corporation that grants degrees earned in the University. It also includes minutes and associated documents of committees of the boards. The official minutes of the Boards are contained in bound volumes, as are the minutes of the Executive Committee of the Board and certain minutes of other committees. The associated materials, including agendas and packages of material sent to the Board members prior to meetings are not complete. These documents were kept by the Chancellors and were often transferred to the Archives with the Chancellors files. Beginning in the 1960s attempts were made to transfer this material directly to the Archives as a part of the Board of Trustees documents, but there are still gaps in the record. To gain the complete record of back-up material, it may be necessary to access the Chancellors' records.

Biographical / Historical

The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the University of Denver. On March 4, 1964 Territorial Governor John Evans signed an ''Act to incorporate Colorado Seminary.'' There were twenty-eight original incorporators, and that number is continued in the number of trustees. Governor Evans was the first president of the Board of Trustees. The University of Denver was organized in 1880. Its constitution gave its aim as conferring degrees. It was described as a society, the members being four representatives of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the President of Colorado Seminary, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Colorado Seminiary. A 1977 Memorandum outlines the reasons for two annual meetings by describing the role of the University of Denver as authorizing and conferring degrees, nominating trustees and electing officers. The Board of Trustees of Colorado Seminary meets four times yearly for the purpose of handling business relating t the University as a corporation, such as deeds, contracts and formal documents.

Certain functions of the board are delegated to subordinate committees. The first both in time and importance is the executive commmittee which exercises the powers of the Board between meetings. Other areas of governance have been delegated to committees. for example, in 1999 the Trustees provides guidance and oversight in the following areas: Athletic Affairs; Audit; Building and Grounds; Faculty and Educational Affairs; Finance and Budget; Investment; Student and Alumni Affairs; Trustee Affairs; and University Advancement.

Arrangement

The Board of Trustees Records are organized into 15 Series. 1. Bound Minutes. 2. Charter and By-Laws. 3. Members. 4. Committees - Executive. 5. Committees - Finance and Budget. 6. Committees - Audit. 7. Committees - Academic Affairs/Personnel. 8.Committees - Buildings and Grounds. 9. Committees - Investment. 10. Committees - Real Estate. 11. Committees - Miscellaneous Committees and Sub-Committees. 12. Board of Trustee Meetings and Resolutions. 13. Board of Trustees - Reports to. 14. Board of Trustees - Preservation Copy of Minutes. 15. Memorabilia.