Department of Exercise and Sport Studies records

Collection

Identifier: CA-MS-01043

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Exercise and Sport Studies records contain ledgers, photographs, budget records, many office files, and Adult Fitness Camp files.

Dates of Materials

Creation: 1899 - 2000

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research with the following restrictions on access:

Student academic records, student disciplinary records, and all records containing FERPA-covered student information are closed during the lifetime of the student. Student records created 100 years or more ago are assumed to be about deceased students.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. For reproductions of materials that are governed by fair use as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission to cite or publish is required. Researchers are responsible for determining who may hold materials' copyrights and obtaining approval from them. Researchers do not need anything further from Smith College Special Collections to move forward with their use.

Biographical / Historical

"The Department of Exercise and Sport Studies (ESS) is committed to improving the quality of life at Smith College by providing an array of classes that allow for the exploration and better understanding of the importance of exercise and physical activity in our daily lives." -from the department's web site

The department started in 1895 as the Department of Physical Culture, then became the Deparment of Physical Training the next year, the Department of Hygiene and Physical Training in 1911 and held two other names until WWII. In 1941, it became The Department of Physical Education and, in 1982, it received its current title.

The department focuses on the academic side of sports, not student athletics/teams at Smith College which are under the purview of the Department of Athletics.

Extent

55.013 linear feet (62 containers)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Exercise and Sport Studies (ESS) began at Smith College in 1895 under a different name and received its current title in 1982. The department deals with the academic side of sports at Smith College and its collection records contain ledgers, photographs, budget records, many office files, and Adult Fitness Camp files.

Arrangement

This collection has been added to over time in multiple "accessions." An accession is a group of materials received from the same source at approximately the same time.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

As a preservation measure, researchers must use digital copies of audiovisual materials in this collection. Please consult with Special Collections staff or email specialcollections@smith.edu to request the creation of and access to digital copies.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most of the collection was transferred from the Department of Exercise and Sport Studies. The source of some material is unknown.

Processing Information

Between September 2022 and February 2023, Smith College Special Collections renumbered many boxes to eliminate duplicate numbers within collections in order to improve researcher experience. A full crosswalk of old to new numbers is available.