Registrar's Correspondence Files - Dockets - 1886 - 1960

The series consists of registered correspondence files (dockets) that were commenced in 1886 using an annual/sequential numbering system which act as identifiers.

The dockets include communications on a range of matters both internally from staff, students, faculties/departments and non-academic bodies and externally from aspiring students, related educational bodies, private companies and all levels of government. A new docket cover would be assigned an identifier, a correspondent and subject on receipt or creation of a relevant record. All subsequent messages specific to the topic would be appended in the order received. Where carbon copies of outgoing correspondence were created, this too was retained on the docket, and other annotations providing direction to relevant records such as the University Council or particular faculty committee minutes were also added where deemed necessary.

The dockets are controlled by an index card system that was established in the 1920s and retrospectively applied to existing dockets. The University's current central filing system retains an identical identification method and is, in fact, a continuation of the docket series.