This collection consists chiefly of subject files on administrative, academic, and financial topics compiled during the term of Drexel president Richard D. Breslin. The collection also contains material relating to his inauguration as president, his personal files, speeches, and the implementation of his Strategic Plan. The bulk of the collection covers 1988-1994, the time span Dr. Breslin was in office, but there are many earlier files dating from William S. Gaither's term as president (1984-1987) and W.W. Hagerty's records (1966-1984) that Dr. Breslin may have kept as reference material. There are also a few files from after Dr. Breslin's term, up to 1996. There are 20 series in this collection, and series and subject files are in alphabetical order.

The Academic series contains files on Drexel academic departments, programs and curriculum, as well as special programs aimed at minorities, underprivledged, or educationally under-prepared students that were designed to provide educational support and strengthen their academic skills.

The Accreditation series contains files on the preparation, execution, and evaluation of Drexel University by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. There are files on Drexel's self-study program and the Commission for Higher Education, as well as the Foundation for Interior Design Research (FIDER) Accreditation Review specifically for Drexel's Nesbitt College of Design Arts.

The Administration series contains files on the internal operations of Drexel University, non-academic departments and offices, and the daily activities of the president and his staff. Some of the larger files with several folders in this series are Board of Trustees, Office of Institutional Advancement, and President's Cabinet. Office of University Relations, a subseries of Administration series, has several files; of note is extensive incoming and outgoing correspondence of Harold M. Myers, acting president for the University in 1988. Board of Trustees file includes folders on the 1990 board retreat, letters from the president, membership, planning and development committees, and 10 binders of meeting minutes (restricted). Office of Institutional Advancement file includes folders on the search committee for Vice President resulting in the hiring of Barbara Spiro (restricted); correspondence and memos about fundraising activities; financial reports on private support, giving and pledges; material from the Office of Development and Office of University Relations; and other material about the public image of Drexel. President's Cabinet file includes folders on senior management team meetings, advisory council meetings, policy and budget reviews, Cabinet retreats, correspondence between Breslin and Richard Schneider, the Senior VP for Administration, and extensive shorthand notes on meetings.

The Alumni/ae series contains files on alumni honors, awards, clubs, associations, and donations, as well as correspondence between Breslin and various Drexel alumni.

The Buildings and Facilities series contains files on the buildings, centers, and properties that make up Drexel University's campus, and files on the management of these facilities, including renovations. Of note is the file "An Architectural History of the Main Building, 1891-1991", a 12-page booklet with black and white photographs and drawings of the architecture of the Main building. Also, the Athletics file contains information about the 1984 Drexel Hall of Fame and Drexel's men's basketball team in the North Atlantic Conference.

The Consultants and Studies series contains files on the outside consulting firms Drexel hired to perform studies, surveys, and evaluations, as well as proposals sent to Drexel from firms that may or may not have been implemented.

The Events series contains folders on yearly Drexel events such as commencements, homecoming, and convocations, and celebrations of holidays such as Diversity Day, Earth Week, Ethics Day, and Black Awareness Month from 1985-1994. The highlight of the series is the Centennial subseries which contains files on the committees involved in the planning and execution of the Centennial celebration and its many events that took place from June 1991 to June 1992. There is also a file on the inauguration of William S. Gaither, the president of Drexel before Dr. Breslin, as well as a folder on the 1990 Diversity Day speaker, Molly Yard, and the controversy her appearance caused.

The External Organizations and Institutions series contains files on the multiple regional and national organizations that are affiliated with Drexel, as well as organizations Drexel had relationships with for publicity, marketing, outreach, and community services purposes.

The Faculty and Personnel series contains files on policies pertaining to staff and faculty, information on faculty groups and committees, staff and faculty lists (restricted), resumes (restricted), and references from Dr. Breslin on their behalf. There is also a large file on the 14-week strike of Drexel maintenance workers in 1992, and several copies of Drexel Digest, a publication for faculty and staff.

The Fundraising and Finances series contains files on the various avenues Drexel utilized for funding the University, including investments, corporations, and individual private donors; financial aid and grants; and different charities and foundations Drexel was involved with, including the A.J. Drexel Society. This series also contains files on the financial operations at Drexel, including budget and financial reports, and the Office of the Treasurer.

The Government Relations series contains files on various city, state, and federal agencies, and their interactions with Drexel University. There are also files on groups and programs run by the government, and a file on Drexel's Army ROTC.

The Inauguration series contains files on the planning and execution of Dr. Breslin's inauguration as Drexel's tenth president. Guest lists, event schedules, planning committee agendas and extensive correspondence and memos are included, as well as publicity materials pertaining to the inauguration. Of note is an inauguration delegates kit from 1989 with a commemorative business card holder, and numerous congratulation certificates presented to Dr. Breslin from colleges and universities nationwide.

The Internal Committees series contains files on Drexel senior management, faculty and staff committees; some long-standing, and others formed for a specific project. The largest of these files is Advisory Councils, which contains folders on advisory councils for various departments and colleges. These include the College of Business and Administration, the College of Engineering, and the College of Information Studies, as well as the department for academic life, revenue enhancement, and strategic planning. The President's Advisory Council has its own separate file within this series.

The International Relations series contains files on various international institutions in several countries and their interactions with Drexel University. Exchange programs, delegation visits, and correspondence are included, and there are several files specifically about China.

The Personal Files series contains files on the social life of Dr. Breslin, including invitations, plans for parties and receptions he and his wife hosted, and correspondence with various friends and acquaintances. Also included are materials collected by Dr. Breslin such as articles and outside publications on topics he may have had an interest in, or for reference. There are also several appointment and telephone message books kept by Dr. Breslin's secretary in this series.

The Schools and Colleges series contains files on the colleges of Drexel University. The College of Engineering is a subseries that contains files on the schools of engineering within the College, its curriculum, and engineering groups and coalitions. Two of the larger files with several folders in this series are Nesbitt College of Design Arts and the College of Business and Administration (COBA). Nesbitt College folders are mostly correspondence about the different programs within the College, and issues of TIES (Technology, Innovation, and Entreperneurship for Students) and Maya, and its Recruitment and Retention Plan 1990. College of Business and Administration folders include its Strategic plans, Capital Campaign, Search Committee for the Dean, resulting in hiring of Baer, Arthur H. (restricted), and correspondence to and from various deans of the College over the years.

The Speeches and Speaking Engagements series contains files on Dr. Breslin's notes and speech reference material, as well as drafts and copies of his speeches for Drexel events and outside engagements.

The Strategic Plan series contains files on Dr. Breslin's Strategic Plan for Drexel through 1996, including the internal committees and outside consultants involved in its development and implementation.

The Students series contains files on student groups and publications, letters and complaints to President Breslin and his responses, and any matters pertaining to or involving Drexel students. Of note is a file on the SunDragon, the solar car designed by Drexel engineering students.