CSUDH Subject/Event File Collection

The CSUDH Subject File consists of materials generated by the university, or by individual schools, departments, or offices. Many of these materials are ephemeral in nature, created and distributed around the campus to announce events, programs, courses, conferences, sporting events, or opportunities held on or near campus. There are also materials of a more historical nature, including reports, directories, brochures, newsletters, and other materials created to note the progress of the campus or individual sections, or to alert the campus to a modification of long-standing procedures. The subject files help track the history of CSU Dominguez Hills, showing how individual classes have grown into entire programs or schools, and it offers insight into the ongoing organization – and reorganization – of the university. These files offer insight into the development of CSUDH from its early days as a small, intimate campus to its position as a modern, diversified urban university. Files also supplement yearbook, student newspaper, and catalog collections in offering a glimpse of day-to-day life on the CSUDH campus, and they give a sense of the flavor of different eras.

While the thrust of the collection shows materials directed toward students, there are also materials showing how staff and faculty have dealt with numerous issues, including budget cuts and the proposed or actual elimination of courses or entire programs. There are significant sections showing union organization activities, contract negotiations, and preparations for potential strikes. In addition to materials generated from within the university, there are also sections dealing with events and programs sponsored by off-campus groups (held either on- or off-campus), and a large number of articles from newspaper and online sources, reporting on developments in the university, noted alumni, or visitors to the campus. Materials include announcements to the campus from the President’s Office and Administration, including University Advancement and Academic Affairs; brochures from all departments alerting students to services and programs provided by their schools or offices; commencement and honors assembly announcements for the entire university or for individual schools, including Africana Studies, Business Administration, Asian Pacific Studies, and others; along with notices of films, lectures, readings, and other events hosted by various groups through Associated Students or the University Multicultural Center.

Much of the material is generated by the staff, faculty, and administrative offices, but a large number is also generated by student organizations, including campus Greek societies, service clubs (such as Circle K), or clubs associated with specific areas of study (such as the Philosophy or Science Clubs). There are brochures for each Theatre season, as well as flyers and programs from many individual productions. Materials for virtually all departments, offices, and schools are represented in the collection, and the materials are useful for noting how areas of the university have altered their names or mission to reflect evolving attitudes.