The Andrews University Archives is the officially designated central depository for housing and servicing all inactive University records, whose reference frequency does not warrant further retention in the office of origin. Many of these records have administrative, financial, legal, historical, social, or cultural value to Andrews University and to its predecessors, Battle Creek College, Emmanuel Missionary College, Potomac University, and the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

The Archives is managed according to standards commonly employed in the archives and records management fields. Additionally, the Archives operates with direction from the Andrews University Archives Executive Committee which has advisory jurisdiction over processes and procedures. The Andrews University Archives Committee establishes policy. Questions concerning records management at Andrews University should be directed to the University Archivist.

Administratively, the Andrews University Archives manages records that are closed temporarily or permanently and records that have been opened for public use. In consultation with the offices of origin and the Archives Committee, the Archives staff develops retention schedules detailing which records are retained, destroyed, and/or opened for public use. These schedules also specify the conditions and time frames under which records may be opened for public use.

The Archives receives records from all entities/offices of the University and maintains those which have administrative, financial, legal, historical, social, or cultural value. These records are arranged in record groups corresponding to the administrative organization of the University (see Appendix 1, p. 19). Records which have been opened to public use are made available through the Center for Adventist Research.

The Archives holds correspondence and topical files for several EMC and AU presidents and the records of academic vice presidents, provosts, deans, library directors, and others. Other records include enrollment, financial and statistical reports, public news releases, the Working Policy, committee records, and accreditation reports. The CAR holds a complete set of the following publications: Bulletin, Student Movement, Cardinal, and Cast. Thousands of photographs from Battle Creek College days to more recent years are stored.

1. To oversee the records management program of Andrews University.
2. To work with each office to assist and properly care for the management of records through the active and inactive record phases.
3. To aid in the orderly transfer of records from each entity/office of the University to the Archives when the inactive phase is reached.
4. To provide secure storage for non-current records in the Archives.
5. To process records to facilitate proper management of the records while they are stored. This includes preparation of appropriate finding aids and disposition information.
6. To provide reference service to the office of origin for their records stored in the Archives.
7. To provide access to University records held in the Archives for public research purposes.
8. To dispose of non-permanent records held in the Archives according to established records retention schedules.

Records in the Archives may become open for research under specific conditions. Records Retention Schedules govern which records are preserved and which records may be opened for public use. Multiple classes of records may become open when 30 years have passed since their creation. Additional restrictions may be placed on records containing the following material:

1. Serious ethical mistakes of individuals such as mismanagement of funds, dishonesty, marital infidelity, indecency, etc.
2. Other problems or comments which would bring serious embarrassment to Andrews University or the Seventh-day Advent­ist Church. Efforts will be made not to restrict except for the most flagrant and damaging matters.
3. Political comments regarding national or international circumstances that criticize governments or suggest disloyalty which could affect the mission activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a country or region.
4. Personnel records are opened only for, or by permission of, the office of origin.

1. Unless otherwise covered by a retention schedule, restrictions are place for thirty (30) years from the date of record creation.
2. If a researcher wishes to have access to restricted material prior to the expiration of the restriction, permission must be secured from the office of origin and the University Archivist.

The Archivist, in consultation with the Andrews University Archives Executive Committee may vary the period of restriction or extend it indefinitely.