Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies records

Access and use

Location of collection:
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of James Madison University is retained by James Madison University. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more information, contact the Special Collections Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies records, 1983-1993, UA 0060, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Collection context

Summary

Extent:
0.33 cubic feet 1 box
Creator:
James Madison University. Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Hilton, Fred, 1943-2022
Abstract:
Comprises records relating to the Center for Science & Technology Task Force, Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, and Freshman Seminar (LS 101).
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies records, 1983-1993, UA 0060, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises records relating to the Center for Science & Technology including an operating plan, mission and goals, interim and final reports, and meeting minutes from the Science & Technology Task Force. Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies records include budget narratives, reports, and advisory council lists. Additional materials relate to LS 101: Freshman Seminar which was a significant initiative for the Madison Institute.

Biographical / historical:

The Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies was established during the 1990-1991 academic year due to a two-year $140,000 grant from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). The Institute's two major initiatives early on were the coordination of the Freshman Seminar (LS 101) and the administration of the Madison Fellowships. Violet Allain, professor of education, served as the inaugural director of the Madison Institute. By 1993, David Zimmerman was serving as interim director of the Madison Institute.

President Ronald Carrier announced plans for the creation of the Center for Science & Technology at the end of the 1983-1984 academic year. The center was established to facilitate, expand and stimulate the education, service, and research role of JMU in the areas of science and technology. A task force was assembled in the fall of 1984 to develop a model for the center.

Acquisition information:
Transferred from Mary Glick and Cindy Dixon (College of Letters Sciences) through Fred Hilton.
Processing information:

The collection was minimally processed in October 1995 but was largely undiscoverable and under-described until September 2025. While the materials in this collection were transferred together from the same entity, the connection between the Center for Science & Technology and the Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies is unclear. Despite that tenuous connection, the order of materials established after initial processing in 1995 has been retained.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard