University Archives Online Collections
The Dr. Jo Ann Rayfield Archives is the official repository for Illinois State University, and we house a wide variety of materials related to the University. Below you can find a selection of digitized university publications, collections, and items available for online viewing.
To see a full listing of what we have available for on-site research, please take a look at our Finding Aids.
Digitized Publications
Take a look at these University Archives' materials from your computer at home! We have digitized a number of materials and collections for your browsing convenience.
Course Catalogs
Browse fully digitized course catalogs from 1860 to the present.
Governance
Find fully digitized reports from the six boards that have governed ISU since 1857.
Yearbooks
Search the yearbooks for Illinois State (Normal) University, University High School, and the Thomas Metcalf School.
Commencement Programs
View programs for all commencement exercises held at Illinois State (Normal) University since its first in 1860.
Enrollment Ledgers
Explore historic university registrar ledgers from the first ISNU class in 1857 to 1923.
View the University Enrollment Ledgers
Campus History Book Series
Access digitized versions of nine of the works written about Illinois State University's history since its founding in 1857.
View the Campus History Book Series
Historical Photos
Browse thousands of photos documenting the history of Illinois State University and its campus community.
The Vidette Digital Archives
This database currently holds issues of the Illinois State University student newspaper from February 1888 to 1980.
Academic Senate Minutes
Housed at ISU ReD, the digitized minutes of the university's Academic Senate run from 1944 to present (except for the previous and current terms). View the most recent minutes of the Academic Senate.
View all Academic Senate Minutes
Strategic Plans
Two of the university's long-term strategic plans, Educating Illinois, 2000-2007: An Action Plan for Distinctiveness and Excellence and Educate-Connect-Elevate, 2018-2023: Illinois State--The Strategic Plan for Illinois' First Public University, 2018-2023, along with their updates can be found at in ISU ReD.
View the University Strategic Plans
Online Collections
These online exhibits feature images and information about the history of the university.
Audio and Video
Listen to oral histories and watch a series of short videos that discuss the history of ISU