The University Archives preserves the official records and historical materials that document the growth, leadership, and legacy of Florida International University since its founding in 1965. Our mission is to support the FIU community and external researchers by providing access to the university’s institutional memory including key moments, people, and events that have shaped the university’s development and impact over time. The University Archives includes presidential papers, university publications, departmental records, photographs, event documentation, oral histories, and more.
Conduct Research
SEARCH FINDING AIDS
Please view the video on how to search archival collections.
To get started:
- Plan your visit using our helpful guidelines (location, hours, policies)
- Schedule an appointment to visit our reading room
- Search our FInding Aids ahead of time. Start you research with our Finding Aids, detailed guides that help you explore and locate relevant materials.
Search tips:
Use keywords such as Names (faculty, alumni, administrators), Events (commencements, protests, dedications), Departments or organizations (e.g. Student Government, Office of the President), Dates or time periods, Publications (e.g. student newspapers, catalogs)
University Archives materials are arranged by Administrative Department, with each division assigned a unique Record Group Number. Every item, reports, publications, documents, photos, is inventoried and filed under that number, forming a comprehensive record of each unit’s role in FIU’s development.
Looking for digital collections. Try the FIU Digital Collections
Looking for books or serials? Try the FIU Library Catalog
Tips: Searching for contextual terms or broader subjects can help uncover related records you might not think to search for directly.
Need help? Our staff is available to support your research and instruction needs.
Our History
The University Archives was established by FIU’s first president, Charles E. Perry, who recognized the need to document the university’s rapid growth and development. Originally housed in FIU’s early library facilities—including the repurposed airport tower—it now resides on the 4th floor of the Steven and Dorothea Green Library. In addition to official FIU records, the University Archives preserves historical documents, publications, photographs and audiovisual materials. As FIU has grown into a major public research institution, the Archives has expanded its holdings to support scholarship, strategic planning, and storytelling.
Contribute to the Archives!
You can help us identify and collect records of historical value from University administrative and academic schools, departments and offices, student and campus life, and publications produced by academic offices and other units on campus.
If you are a FIU student of Alumni who would like to donate your organization's records to the University Archives, please contact the University Archives.
If you are a FIU or a faculty or staff member interested in donating office records, please contact Records Management.
For more information visit Donate to the Archives.
Feedback Welcome
FIU Archives welcomes your feedback on the description of its archival collections. Staff are currently implementing practices to address offensive or harmful language that may reflect biases and prejudices or terms that are outdated, offensive or insensitive. In addition, we encourage users to provide feedback to help us tackle this issue. Please email us, spcoll@fiu.edu to report errors or omissions or if you encounter harmful or offensive language.
