A Finding Aid for the Fact Book Records 1991-2014

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Fact Book Records

Creator: Ferris State University. Office of Institutional Research and Testing.

Dates: 1991-2016

Abstract: The Ferris Fact Book provides basic statistical information about the university. It is produced annually. This collection contains a complete run of the publication.

Language: English

Quantity: 1.6 cubic feet; 4 Hollinger boxes

Identification: UA 15.1.600

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

The Ferris Fact Book debuted in December 1991 as a special project by the Office of Institutional Studies. The purpose of the book was to accurately answer a number of factual questions which were often asked by the university. It was so popular it became a regular publication for the office.

The first book was 66 pages and bound into a spiral format. Some information was provided in a text format such as the descriptions of buildings on campus or scholarships. But a large majority of the information was found in charts and tables. Topics included: alumni, student enrollment, degree program and organizational charts, budgets, facilities and statistical breakdowns of faculty/staff.

The Fact Book is produced annually in either December or January. This allows for up-to-date fall enrollment counts to be included within the volume for the academic year. It has gradually increased over the years. A section of comparisons to other Michigan public universities has been included.

Fact Books have been made available in an Adobe .pdf format beginning with the 1999-2000 book. The electronic versions may be found on the Institutional Research and Testing website at:

https://ferris.edu/admissions/testing/homepage.htm

Electronic versions are generally not available for one to two years after being published in paper format.

Scope and Content Note

The Ferris Fact Book provides basic statistical information on many of the questions asked about the university. Several of these topics are presented in both table and graphical format. For example, the tally of Ferris students from various Michigan counties has been placed into a map of Michigan. An analysis of university staff by job category and sex is shown both as a chart and as a pie graph.

Most of the sections have remained the same between 1991 and 2006 which allows for comparison over time. In later years categories comparing Ferris to other Michigan public universities has also been added. Sections include: general information, students/enrollment, degrees, faculty/staff, organizational charts, alumni, budget, facilities, and Michigan public university comparisons.

The collection contains only the final information and not the surveys or information used by the Institutional Research and Testing staff to compile the book.

Arrangement

The papers are included in a single series.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Fact Books are open for research to all users in accordance with University Archives and Records Management access policies. It is available in the reading room of the Ferris State University Archives.

Conditions of Use

Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the University Archivist. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to Ferris State University. For more information, contact the University Archivist.

Subject Headings

Below are a list of names, organizations and subjects relating to the collection. Names have been taken from Library of Congress Authority headings whenever possible.

• Fact Book (Big Rapids, Mich: Ferris State University)
• Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Statistics

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box (or url). Fact Book Records. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

These records were transferred out of the library reserve collections. Additional copies have been obtained from various offices.

Processing Information

The Fact Book Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in November 2006. Additions were made in September 2008. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 2.0. A collection level MARC-format record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description was based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of spiral notebooks on 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Electronic versions of later Fact Books are available in a .pdf format.

Content Listing

Series 1. Fact Books. 1991-2017.

This series consists approximately 1.2 cubic feet of records. The books contain statistics about the university and its activities.

The paper issues are arranged chronologically.

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	Fact Book. 1991-1992.
1	2	Fact Book. 1992-1993.
1	3	Fact Book. 1993-1994.
1	4	Fact Book. 1994-1995.
1	5	Fact Book. 1995-1996.
1	6	Fact Book. 1996-1997.
1	7	Fact Book. 1997-1998.
1	8	Fact Book. 1998-1999.
1	9	Fact Book. 1999-2000.

Box	Folder	Contents
2	1	Fact Book. 2000-2001.
2	2	Fact Book. 2001-2002.
2	3	Fact Book. 2002-2003.
2	4	Fact Book. 2003-2004.
2	5	Fact Book. 2004-2005.
2	6	Fact Book. 2005-2006.
2	7	Fact Book. 2006-2007.

Box	Folder	Contents
3	1	Fact Book. 2007-2008.
3	2	Fact Book. 2008-2009.
3	3	Fact Book. 2009-2010.
3	4	Fact Book. 2010-2011.
3	5	Fact Book. 2011-2012.
3	6	Fact Book. 2012-2013.
3	7	Fact Book. 2013-2014.

Box	Folder	Contents
4	1	Fact Book. 2014-2015.
4	2	Fact Book. 2015-2016.
4	3	Fact Book. 2016-2017.
4	4	Fact Book. 2017-2018.
4	5	Fact Book. 2018-2019.