Archives 58 Systems and Computing, Office of, Records 1967-1977 Systems and Computing, Office of, Records Finding aid prepared by Michael Sampson Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2012
Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA (509) 335-6691 http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/ mascref@wsu.edu
Finding aid encoded by ArchProteus2006 Finding aid is in English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard) Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA (509) 335-6691 http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/ mascref@wsu.edu
Archives 58 Systems and Computing, Office of, Records 1967-1977 approximate 1465 items 2.5 linear feet 3 containers Records include daily correspondence from the office, such as interoffice memoranda, minutes of meetings, office planning information, reports, capital improvement projects and blueprints, research project information, faculty service reports, information on new data processing equipment, etc. Organizational History:

As early as 1953 a computing laboratory was operating on the campus of Washington State University. The Computing Center was established at the University in 1956; at that time, data-processing projects functioned under the auspices of the Department of Mathematics. The University offered two courses on the subject of computers, taught in the Department of Mathematics, beginning with the 1956-1957 academic year.

In 1966, a "Program in Information Science" was initiated which included vastly expanded course offerings and faculty members. By 1970, the Department of Computer Sciences, with 15 faculty members, had been formed; this program offered M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. During the same time period, the Office of Systems and Computing began operations as a part of the Washington State University administrative body. This office directs all data-processing operations performed for University business, many officials of the office hold joint appointments in the Department of Computer Sciences and the WSU Computing Center.

Currently, the Office of Systems and Computing consists of Computer Engineering Services, Mathematical/Statistical Faculty Consultants, University Computing Services, and the Computing Service Center. The Office, in addition to administering these sub-units, allocates computing funds to the colleges, approves all acquisitions of computer-related equipment, performs long-range planning for WSU computing, and represents WSU to the State Data Processing Authority.

The records of the WSU Office of Systems and Computing are divided into three major series: (1) on-campus correspondence with specific university administrative officers, (2) on-campus correspondence with university administrative offices, and (3) off-campus correspondence. The three correspondence series have been arranged alphabetically by subject: material within each subject is then arranged chronologically. This arrangement is consistent ith the original order as received from the office of Systems and Computing. The records range in date from 1967 to 1977.

The records contain the daily correspondence of the office, which is affiliated with the WSU Computer Sciences Department and reflects all aspects of its operation. The Office of Systems and Computing records contain the following: interoffice and interdepartmental memoranda, office planning information, capital improvement planning and blueprints, reports, technical data, research project information, requests for information from various agencies, minutes of meetings, faculty service reports, departmental and faculty correspondence, information on new data-processing equipment, and other business.

Principal correspondents include William Walden, Wallis Beasley, Warren Bishop, K. Abbey, V. L. Shelton, Allan H. Smith, Glen Terrell, Barry Whelchel, James Quann, and officials of IBM Corporation.

The Collection is open for research use.

The records of the office of Systems and Computing were transferred to the University Archives, Washington State University, in December 1979 (UA 79-28) by the office in accordance with the approved records schedule.

The records were processed in October 1980 by Michael Sampson.

 Beasley, Wallis--Archives Bishop, Warren A.--Archives Abbey, Kenneth--Archives Shelton, Vessie Lauren, 1911---Archives Quann, C. James--Archives Terrell, William Glenn, 1920---Archives Smith, Allan H.--Archives Whelchel, Barry--Archives Walden, William E.--Archives Washington State University. Office of Systems and Computing--Archives International Business Machines Corporation--Archives Washington State University. Office of Systems and Computing--Records and correspondence Washington State University--Information technology--History--Archives Washington State University--Information resources management--History--Archives International Business Machines Corporation--Records and correspondence Washington (State) Colleges and Universities 1 On-Campus Correspondence--Administrative officers 1968-1977 1 1-5 Beasley, Wallis 1968-1977 244 items 1 6 Bishop, Warren and K. Abbey 1969-1975 50 items 1 7 Bishop, Warren 1975-1977 27 items 1 8-9 Shelton, V. L. 1969-1974 98 items 1 10-12 Smith, Allan H. 1969-1977 162 items 2 On-Campus Correspondence--Administrative Offices 1967-1977 2 13 Facilities Planning 1972-1977 82 items 2 14 Library 1967-1973 34 items 2 15 President's Office 1968-1976 78 items 2 16 Registrar 1969-1976 62 items 2 17-18 Staff Personnel 1969-1977 132 items 2 19-20 General 1970-1977 165 items 3 Off-Campus Correspondence 1968-1977 3 21-28 General 1970-1977 263 items 3 29-30 IBM 1968-1977 89 items