Missouri State University Libraries
Residence Life and Services
Volume: 5.5 cubic feet
Dates: 1956-2006
Provenance
The collection was acquired mainly in 2003. It was processed in 2006 by Shannon Western and Tracie Gieselman-Holthaus.
Copyright
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Access
The collection is unrestricted. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be obtained from the Department of Special Collections and Archives. Citations should be as follows: Identification of the item, box number, Residence Life and Services Collection [RG 15/22], Department of Special Collections and Archives, Missouri State University.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Missouri State University was founded in 1905 by the Missouri state legislature as Missouri State Normal School, Fourth District. The first classes were held in 1906. Since then, the school has changed names four times becoming Missouri State University in 2005.
Early on, the university did not have university owned housing. Students were often housed off campus in approved homes, but the increasing enrollment demanded more and more “on campus” housing. The first official campus dormitory (eventually named Wells Hall) was built in 1950 and housed 64 women. By 1959, this building was expanded to house another 214 women and a men’s dormitory was built (later named Freudenberger Hall). Growing enrollment brought more expansion with the construction of Blair-Shannon in 1965, Woods Hall in 1971, Hammons Hall in 1986, and New Hall (now Hutchens House) in 1991. The purchase of two apartment complexes (Sunvilla and Dogwood) and the Kentwood Arms Hotel, in addition to more recent renovations, have helped the university meet the ever-increasing housing demand.
A more detailed history of student housing and residence life can be found in Daring to Excel: The First 100 years of Southwest Missouri State University, by Dr. Donald L. Landon, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology.
Scope and Content
The collection includes materials related to residence life and the residence halls, such as renovation files, residence hall information and publications, photographs, and memorabilia. The collection spans 1956 to the present. The collection is divided into the following series listed below. Make note that the residence halls are organized alphabetically by hall, while all other series are arranged chronologically. Items larger than the oversized box are located in the map case, with separation sheets marking the original location.
Series I: Residence Halls: Information sheets and some historical information about university residence halls are arranged alphabetically. This series includes items from the Freudenberger Cornerstone Time Capsule and the Dr. Bertha Wells Certificate.
Series II: Residence Life: This series contains informational flyers, booklets, and publications given to students living in the residence halls.
Series III: Renovations: The bulk of this series pertains to the renovation plans, the process, and issues of renovating Wells House and Scholars House (at 1116 East Cherry). Also included: Freudenberger windows, Sunvilla draperies and parking lot modifications.
Series IV: Organizations: This series documents the activities of various residence hall related organizations. The bulk of the material is from the following organizations: Residence Hall Association (RHA), Mid-West Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH), and National Association for College and University Residence Halls (NACURH).
Series V: Photographs: Photos from the entire collection are housed in this series. Negatives or slides from the collection can be found at the end of the photograph series in a separate folder. Photos include individual residence halls, campus photos, general photos of residence life, hall grand openings and re-openings, and Residence Life staff.
Series VI: Oversized Photographs and Memorabilia: This series contains items such as buttons, key chains, commemorative ink pens, “Grand Opening of Wells House” items, and oversized photographs of Residence Life staff.
Container List
The container list for this collection is available in PDF format. Adobe Reader is required to view the container list.
