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records University past
By Mike Sims
Of the Emerald
Four of the five human senses come into play when
one visits the University Archives.
Smell the spring of 1891 in flower petals, now
pungent with age, from that season's commencement
exercises.
See and read large posters warning freshmen
against rule infractions or breaches of tradition:
"CRINGE! YE SKUTS OF ’25." See vintage
photographs of University buildings and oil portraits of
past University presidents.
Hear audio tapes of University lectures by famous
personages and humble professors alike; hear
melodious voices from the past, raised in songs of
praise to "Mighty Oregon."
Feel the soft texture of a blue felt freshman beanie
(circa 1905), or the firm oaken dignity of a rolltop desk
belonging to Charles Chapman, the second president of
the University.
That desk is now used by University archivist
Keith Richard, a man with a sixth sense: a sense of
history.
Richard seems to have a story for each piece of
memorabilia in the archives, located on the west side of
Fenton Hall’s first floor.
"The trivia aspect is somewhat a spinoff of the
job,” Richard explains. "Any archivist, whether of the
University or Ford Motor Company or whatever, must
learn the history of their particular institution.”
Richard is a fountain of knowledge where Univer
sity history is concerned, and not without good reason.
By state law, he is responsible for all University records
generated since the school’s creation in 1872.
In addition, Richard says, federal laws require that
financial records relating to student and University
grants and federal audits of the school must be kept for
five years for auditing purposes.
These records and thousands of pieces of
miscellaneous memorabilia fill five floors in Fenton
Hall. In addition, Richard uses archive storage space in
the basements of DeCou and Watson dormitories.
As faculty secretary and secretary of the University
Assembly, Richard stays true to his role as a caretaker of
recorded history. He is responsible for keeping minutes
of assembly meetings and other assembly records.
These, like all University records — way back to the bir
thing days of the institution — will find their way back
to Richard’s domain.
Richard says that most archivists know where to
find individual items in their custody without a
“looking-it-up” process. However, he emphasizes that
card catalogs and inventory lists are essential just the
same: “None of us will be around forever.”
Keeping the physical past around for as close to
forever as is possible keeps Richard busy and ensures
that he has “no typical work day.”
“You can plan to get something specific done and
then someone will come in with a request.. . and when
people come in the door you don’t know what they’re
going to ask,” Richard says.
These requests often lead Richard to an unexpected
discovery of another piece of University lore. He once
found a letter from then-Pres. Donald Erb to the state
higher education chancellor that shed light on a minor
campus mystery: the reason for the Xs and Os on the
sidewalk in front of the Museum of Art. According to
the letter, an early museum benefactor asked that cars
carrying distinguished museum vistors be driven up a
dirt path, directly to the museum front door. Later,
when the quad was developed, the Xs and Os were add
ed to the sidewalk to guide drivers around the museum
and back to East 13th Avenue.
People use the archives to browse and search for
University trivia, but the archives and Richard are
available for other, practical purposes as well. Richard
frequently receives mailed requests for student and
faculty records, to verify enrollment, employment or
academic credentials.
Students and faculty often use the archives for
scholarly or literary purposes. One student is currently
writing a biography of the late Sen. Wayne Morse. The
archives provides the author with Morse’s faculty
papers from his years at the University law school, a
valuable asset to research.
Richard confesses little knowledge of University
history as a youth, save for that which he gleaned from
newspapers. He graduated from Lebanon High School
Continued on Page 26
in the Fishbowl:
The Deli
Open: 9am-11pm M-F
8am-11pm Sat
12pm-11pm Sunday
Deli: 10am-7pm
At the Deli you can make
your own sandwiches from
a wide selection of meats
and cheeses. Also
vegetarian sandwiches.
Salads are available too.
Pastries, juices, soft
drinks, take-out ice cream,
coffee, tea, yogurts, chips
and other snacks can be
found at the beverage bar.
EMU
Food Van
The food vans offer
croissants, yogurt, a varie
ty of drinks, fresh fruit as
well as some sandwiches
to help you get through the
day.
Located at:
13th across from
Gilbert Hall
from Sam to 2 pm.
and at the library
turnaround
from 9am to 2pm
Fountain Court
Cafe
Open for breakfast:
7am - 10:30am
Open for lunch:
10:30am - 2pm
The grill features breakfast prepared for
individual likes and specific tastes. Our
cafeteria features daily lunch specials
with a choice of salads or salad bar,
soups and chili, and desserts.
discover the...
Skylight Refectoiy
Open: 9am • 2pm
Featuring a touch of Italy with delicious
calzone, pasta and lasagna. Crisp salad
fixin’s with an array of condiments,
scrumptious gyros sandwiches, French
roast coffees, and other gourmet
delights await you in the Skylight
Refectory...
located just a cloud or two above the
Main Desk.
i
Breezeway
Cafe
for students on their way!
breeze in - take out!
Students going places
will find fresh-brewed
gourmet coffee, a wide
selection of pastries in
cluding muffins, donuts,
and croissants, and their
favorite ice creams.
Got a minute?
Enjoy our
outside seating.
and almost every Friday
BEER GARDEN
Open 4 - 7pm
Musical
Entertainment
I.D. Required
Having a Party?
Let us make it complete with our full
catering service. Breakfast, lunch or
dinner with cocktail, beer and wine
service too.
686-3718