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School of Law Student Records

 Collection
Identifier: 17/9

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

This series of School of Law student records spans the dates ca. 1905 and ca. 1923. Records on individual students are filed in envelopes which are arranged alphabetically by surname. Each envelope typically contains: an application for admission to degree candidacy, school registration forms, and a small amount of correspondence relating to registration or completion of degree requirements. The application form features the student's name and address, date and place of birth, name of father or guardian, and a summary of previous educational experiences.

Addition 1, Boxes 40-53 These are student records of law students who graduated between 1925 and 1952. A typical file includes a certification of receipt of an undergraduate degree, as well as transcripts of the student's undergraduate work. The application to the School of Law is also normally contained in each file. The grade reports of the students for classes taken at the School of Law are also usually included in the files. Additional documentation is sometimes included: requests for financial aid, the awarding of an honor, election to the Order of the Coif, or inquiries about the records of the student. The files are arranged alphabetically by student surname.

Addition 2, Boxes 54-57 These additions include, for the most part, student grade records, rosters of students, and student applications for admission or membership in School of Law classes. These materials date from the period 1892-1898. A small amount of related materials, such as a seating record, 1892-1893; course grade records, ca. 1893-1896; transcripts and correspondence pertaining to student course work or degrees completed at other institutions, correspondence concerning students' professional experience or readings completed under supervision of practicing attorneys, 1891-1892, 1895-1897; student petitions to the law school faculty, 1893-1897, n.d.; tuition and fee reciepts, 1891-1893; and a scattered collection of School of Law Alumni Association Membership record cards, classes 1874-1904, complete the additions.

Student grade record cards date from the period 1893-1897. Each card relates to an individual student's name, courses taken at the School of Law, and course grades. The grade record cards are arranged first in chronological groupings thereafter in alphabetical order according to student surname.

A second category of grade record cards, 1892-1896, notes name and then recitation and examination grades for courses taken at the School of Law. Likewise, these record cards are arranged first in chronological groupings thereafter in alphabetical order according to student surname.

Rosters of students date between ca. 1893 and 1899 and record students' names and addresses. Information contained in the rosters is recorded chronologically according to class membership and alphabetically by surname.

Applications for admission or membership in School of Law classes typically note student's name, date of birth, place of residence, place of permanent residence, name and occupation of father or guardian, and a summary of previous education. The applications are organized chronologically by academic year, then by class, and finally in alphabetical order according to surname.

Course grade records note course title then feature names of students enrolled and then their grades. These materials are arranged first alphabetically by course title, and then chronologically by date of course.

Addition 3, Box 57 Two printed registers of Law School students dating from the academic year 1915-1916 have been added to this series. The registers are annotated with grade records for the courses Municipal Corporations and Private Corporations. They have been filed at Box 57, Folder 14.

Addition 4, Boxes 58-66 These additions include, for the most part, student grade records and rosters of students, including a comprehensive range of person and academic information on each student.

The eleven volumes are as follows: "Students Admitted to the College of Law": A student roster from 1888-1895. The volume contains an alphabetical list of students by surname , followed by chronological entries on each student, including their name, birthplace, date of birth, place of undergraduate education, date admitted to the School of Law, fees paid, extra remarks, and date of graduation, if any.

A Student Accounts records book spanning 1896-1902. It contains alphabetical lists of students by surname, followed separately by chronological entries of students' interactions with their school financial accounts.

Five volumes of "Students' Records", 1897-1921. Records students' names and addresses, as well as course credits earned until the date of entry. Information is recorded chronologically according to class membership and alphabetically by surname.

"Instructor's Reports on Courses": A volume of instructors' self-evaluations on courses taught, including methods of instruction and spam grades given. Roughly adheres to reverse chronology by year of instruction, but otherwise is organized in no discernible order.

A volume of Law School "Examination Records", 1928-1934, includes for each student: name, residency, preliminary education, date of birth, and examination credits. It also includes an alphabetical index, by surname affixed to the rear cover. Information is stored chronologically according to class membership and alphabetically by surname.

Two volumes labeled "Official Record", 1937-1939 contain each students' name, address and date of birth, as well as all previous and current credits. Information is in alphabetical order by surname.

Addition 5, boxes 67-73 These additions include student applications for admission to the School of Law, for admission to the School of Law classes, and registration in School of Law courses. The records are stored in in envelopes, organized by individual's name. The records are arranged chronologically, then alphabetically by surname.

Dates

  • 1892-1952

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Restricted; consultation with University Archivist required prior to use.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored at a remote campus location and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

73.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This series of School of Law student records spans the dates ca. 1905 and ca. 1923. Records on individual students are filed in envelopes which are arranged alphabetically by surname. Each envelope typically contains: an application for admission to degree candidacy, school registration forms, and a small amount of correspondence relating to registration or completion of degree requirements. The application form features the student's name and address, date and place of birth, name of father or guardian, and a summary of previous educational experiences.

Arrangement Note

The files are generally arranged chronologically, then alphabetically according to student's surname.

Method of Acquisition

Christine L. Jones, School of Law Registrar, transferred these records to the University Archives on June 15, 1990 (Accession #90-61).

Processing Information

Processor: James B. Arndorfer; July 12, 1990.

Title
Guide to the School of Law Student Records
Author
James B. Arndorfer
Date
12/07/1990
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635