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[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Madison Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies records, 1983-1993, UA 0060, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Transferred from Mary Glick and Cindy Dixon (College of Letters & Sciences) through Fred Hilton.
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.
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.
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.