Finding aid for the Valeria Ross Collection

MUM00773

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Controlled Access Headings

PURL

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3: Medals & Nametag

Box 4: History of Black Greek letter organizations of University of Mississippi

Box 5: Oversized posters and fliers

PURL

http://purl.oclc.org/umarchives/MUM00773/

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Summary Information

Repository

University of Mississippi Libraries

Title

Valeria Ross Collection

ID

MUM00773

Date

1988-2016

Extent

5.0 boxes

Abstract

Documents, materials, and artifacts collected by University of Mississippi Director of Leadership and Advocacy Valeria Ross. Includes materials related to issues of diversity on campus such as the Black Student Union, racial reconciliation, civil rights, black history, LGBTQ awareness, and student leadership.

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Biographical Note

Valeria Beasley-Ross started her career at the University of Mississippi as a secretary for the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. She completed three degree programs at the university, receiving a BA in Sociology, a BA in Public Administration, and an MA in Social Science. Ross has filled a number of roles on campus as an administrator, including as Assistant Dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs and Volunteer Services and Associate Dean of Students. In these roles she coordinated events such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, LGBTQ History Month, and Native American History Month. She worked closely with student organizations focused on diversity in higher education, including the Black Student Union and the Sarah Isom Center for Gender Studies. Ross also dedicated her time to outreach organizations such as AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity.

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Scope and Content

The Valeria Ross Collection includes documents and materials related to Ross’ involvement with various minority groups on the University of Mississippi campus and on several diversity committees. The collection overwhelmingly deals with the Black Student Union and Black History Month at the university in the 21st century. Ross’ own planning materials and notes are included. The collection also deals with various bias incidents on campus and official administrative response to those events. Finally, the collection also deals with Ross’ training in diversity, higher education, and community outreach. Box 1 includes materials related to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi from 2002-2013. These documents include email correspondence, meeting agendas, and other planning materials. Promotional materials are also represented. Black Student Union materials are also housed in this series, as well as diversity, multicultural, and civil rights committees documents. Box 2 deals with various other minority events on campus, including the annual Celebration of Achievement, the Black Alumni Reunion, and other social events. This series also contains information on bias incidents, including the 2013 disruption at a school production of The Laramie Project and campus disturbances centered on race and Confederate memory. Box 3 contains 3 medals and a nametag from various Black Student Union events. Box 4 contains a scrapbook detailing the history of various black fraternities and sororities on campus. The scrapbook includes photos and articles on organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha. Box 5 houses miscellaneous posters and fliers for multicultural events on campus, including Black History Month events.

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged by subject.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

University of Mississippi Libraries 2018

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Custodial History note

Donated by Valeria Ross in 2018

Additions

No further additions are expected to this collection.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Christine Rizzi. Finding aid created by Christine Rizzi.

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Related Materials

Related Materials at the University of Mississippi

For more materials related to the University of Mississippi, please see the Archives' University of Mississippi subject guide.

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Controlled Access Headings

Subject(s)

• University of Mississippi
• University of Mississippi -- History

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Collection Inventory

Box 1 1989-2015  Scope and Content Documents and materials related to events at the University of Mississippi associated with issues of race, diversity, and civil rights. Includes Black Student Union records, Black History Month documents, and official reports on issues of race and diversity.
1.1 Celebrating black history month 2002 Paul Robeson, Jr. keynote January 2002- February 2002  Scope and Content Documents relating to Paul Robeson, Jr.’s keynote address at the University of Mississippi Black History Month celebration. Includes contracts, draft program, and vita for Robeson.
1.2 Black history month 2003 December 2002- Feb. 2003  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, correspondence, promotional materials, calendars/schedules, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.3 Black history month 2005 February 2005  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes a fax to local Oxford, MS business Hunters’ Hollow concerning plaques commissioned by Valeria Ross for an event. Also includes a list of award recipients and members of the Black History Month committee. A program for the Black History Month Gala is also included.
1.4 Black history month 2006 November 2005 - February 2006  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, correspondence, promotional materials, calendars/schedules, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross. Also includes plans for speech by director Spike Lee.
1.5 Black history month 2007 February 2007  Scope and Content Contracts for individuals involved in Black History Month at the University of Mississippi. Includes contract for a DJ and for noted black intellectual Angela Davis.
1.6 Black history month 2010 December 2009- February 2010  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, calendars/schedules, and votes for the Lift Every Voice and Sing award.
1.7 Black history month 2011 September 2010 - February 2011  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, application for funding from the university, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.8 Black history month 2012 December 2011 - February 2012  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, correspondence, promotional materials, calendars/schedules, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.9 Black history month 2013 January 2013 - February 2013  Scope and Content Documents relating to Black History Month events at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, correspondence, promotional materials, calendars/schedules, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.10 Black history month calendars and publications 1991-2010  Scope and Content Assorted programs, posters, fliers, and articles promoting past Black History Month celebrations at the University of Mississippi.
1.11 MLK day/celebration of service January 2003-January 2010  Scope and Content Documents and materials related to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the Celebration of Service event. Mostly includes documents from a Celebration of Service event in 2010 attended by Valeria Ross. Ross acted as a Bus Ambassador for a trip to O’Keefe Elementary School in Chicago.
1.12 Cornel West and Paul Robeson, Jr. information January 2002-March 2003  Scope and Content Documents relating to the appearances of Cornel West and Paul Robeson, Jr., respectively, at the University of Mississippi. Includes contracts, correspondence, planning materials, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.13 Multicultural events/international student organization 2005-2013  Scope and Content Fliers for multicultural events at the University of Mississippi. Includes fliers for Jewish American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and others.
1.14 Multicultural working group 2012-2013  Scope and Content Documents related to the Multi-Cultural Working Group at the University of Mississippi. The MCWG was created under chancellor Dr. Dan Jones to assess the need on campus for a multi-cultural center or other educational opportunities. Includes the 2013 report by the MCWG to Jones, readings on multiculturalism at schools, a meeting agenda and minutes, and some correspondence.
1.15 Minority affairs committee reports, 1989-1991 1989-1991  Scope and Content Reports and minutes from the Minority Affairs Committee at the University of Mississippi. Also includes official responses to the committee’s reports. Copies of various articles about minorities on college campuses also included.
1.16 Hispanic Heritage Month 2012 2012  Scope and Content Materials and documents related to Hispanic Heritage Month at the University of Mississippi in 2012. Includes stickers, fliers, correspondence, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.17 UM associated student body constitution and code 2014 2014  Scope and Content Full constitution and code of conduct for the University of Mississippi Associated Student Body.
1.18 Diversity plans 2012-2013  Scope and Content Materials and documents related to diversity on college campuses. Includes a report from Texas A&M University on how to promote diversity on their campus. Also includes promotional materials from the University of Mississippi for diversity events.
1.19 Civil rights subcommittee 2012  Scope and Content Documents related to civil rights history events at the University of Mississippi coordinated by the Civil Rights Subcommittee. Includes meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, calendars and schedules, promotional materials, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.20 Minority affairs leadership council 2009-2010  Scope and Content Documents from the University of Mississippi Minority Affairs Leadership Council. Includes promotional materials, meeting agendas (with handwritten notes by Valeria Ross), and the MALC constitution.
1.21 Black student union constitution and documents 1992-2012  Scope and Content Documents related to the founding, operation, and events of the Black Student Union at the University of Mississippi. Includes copies of the BSU constitution, correspondence, officer applications, meeting agendas, and articles.
1.22 Black student union marker dedication ceremony/fifty years of integration 2012  Scope and Content Documents related to the dedication of historic markers on the University of Mississippi campus in honor of James Meredith by the Black Student Union. Includes a speech given at the dedication. Also includes a program and script.
1.23 Fundraising and service projects 2006   Scope and Content Documents relating to fundraising and charity efforts at the University of Mississippi organized by Valeria Ross. Includes lists of student volunteers, maps of the football stadium where fundraisers took place, and fundraising guidelines. Projects included Hurricane Katrina relief and the Langley Children Fundraiser.
1.24 2015 associated student body retreat April 2015  Scope and Content Documents related to a retreat held in Jackson, MS organized for the University of Mississippi Associated Student Body in 2015. Includes itineraries, checklists, agendas, correspondence, and a copy of the retreat workbook.
1.25 Minority recruitment & retention information 2010-2014  Scope and Content Information regarding minority recruitment and retention in higher education. Includes articles, presentations, and reports from schools such as LSU, Appalachian State, and University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
1.26 Conflict resolution information 2009  Scope and Content Materials related to conflict resolution. Includes presentations, syllabi, and seminar materials on conflict resolution techniques and issues. Also includes handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
1.27 Implicit association tests 2009  Scope and Content Printed results of online implicit association tests. These tests are meant to determine if a person possesses inherent bias toward or against certain groups. Results pertain to Gay-Straight, European-American and African American, and light skin to dark skin bias.
1.28 Black history voices readings 2007-2009 2007-2009  Scope and Content Printed programs and readings for the Black History Voices events at the University of Mississippi. Includes sample programs of events from 2007-2009 as well as the readings performed at these events.
1.29 Black history voices readings 2010 February 2010  Scope and Content Printed program and readings for the Black History Voices event at the University of Mississippi in 2010.
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Box 2 1988-2015  Scope and Content Documents and materials related to events at the University of Mississippi, particularly those dealing with issues of race, diversity, and civil rights. Includes Black Student Union records, Black History Month documents, official correspondence on racial incidents or hate speech, and planning materials for various diversity events on campus. Also includes miscellaneous fliers, newspapers, and documents.
2.1 Social events information 2004-2005  Scope and Content Documents concerning social event coordination at the University of Mississippi. Includes applications, forms, and guidelines as to how to reserve space or plan events at the university. Focuses on securing events for the Black Student Union and the National Panhellenic Council at the school. Also includes handwritten notes by Valeria Ross for event planning.
2.2 Black alumni reunion 2005-2012  Scope and Content Documents related to the Black Alumni Reunion at the University of Mississippi for 2005 and 2012. Includes promotional materials, email correspondence, schedules, planning materials, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
2.3 Awards of distinction 1988-1999 1988-1999  Scope and Content Documents related to the University of Mississippi Awards of Distinction. Includes newspaper articles, photographs, photocopies of magazines or book covers, and programs.
2.4 Open Doors: Forty Years of Opportunity events 2002 2002  Scope and Content Documents related to the University of Mississippi’s Open Doors events. The event highlighted “Forty Years of Opportunity in Higher Education.” Includes planning materials, sample programs, committee members’ contact information, and correspondence.
2.5 Civil rights monument 2006 2006  Scope and Content Documents related to the establishment of a civil rights monument on the campus of the University of Mississippi. The monument depicted student James Meredith as he appeared integrating the school in 1962. Includes correspondence, programs and fliers, schedule of events, and other planning materials.
2.6 Black & white affair 2011  Scope and Content Documents related to the planning of the Black & White Affair at the University of Mississippi coordinated by the Black Student Union and Associated Student Body. Event celebrated diversity at the university and awarded students for their activities on campus. Includes planning and promotional materials, correspondence, and program schedules.
2.7 Service trips -- D'Iberville 2006  Scope and Content Documents concerning a service trip from the University of Mississippi coordinated by Valeria Ross. Volunteers went to the Mississippi town of D’Iberville and surrounding areas to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery projects. Includes planning materials and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
2.8 Service trips -- Miami 2005  Scope and Content Documents concerning a service trip from the University of Mississippi coordinated by Valeria Ross. Volunteers went to Miami to assist with Habitat for Humanity. Includes planning materials and waivers for volunteers.
2.9 Awards of distinction 1999-2002 1999-2002  Scope and Content Documents related to the University of Mississippi’s Awards of Distinction. Includes lists of awards, planning materials, correspondence, programs, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
2.10 Celebration of achievement planning 2010-2014  Scope and Content Documents concerning the planning of the University of Mississippi’s Celebration of Achievement for minority students. Includes meeting agendas, schedules, notes, articles on similar events, programs, budgets, invoices, lists of attendees, and other planning materials.
2.11 Celebration of achievement communication 2009 2009  Scope and Content Correspondence concerning the University of Mississippi’s Celebration of Achievement for minority students. Includes printed email correspondence from planning committee and attendees.
2.12 Celebration of achievement 2012 2012  Scope and Content Materials concerning the 2012 Celebration of Achievement for minority students at the University of Mississippi. Includes planning materials, lists of attendees, handwritten notes by Valeria Ross, and schedules.
2.13 Jan. 30, 2015 Hall of Fame dinner & remarks 30 January 2015  Scope and Content Multiple copies of remarks given at the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame dinner on January 30, 2015. Remarks given by Provost Morris Stocks and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Mindy Sutton.
2.14 Alexander & Tennin memorial 2001  Scope and Content Documents related to a memorial service given at the University of Mississippi for students Antoine Alexander and L.C. Tennin. Includes programs, correspondence, fliers, and planning materials.
2.15 Alcohol prevention coalition diagnostic inventory 4 August 2014  Scope and Content Copy of an Alcohol Prevention Coalition Diagnostic Inventory distributed at the University of Mississippi. Includes an introductory letter from Erin Cromeans, Assistant Director for Health Promotion.
2.16 Diversity survey 28 September 2012  Scope and Content Copy and results of a diversity survey distributed at the University of Mississippi. Includes an introductory email from Dr. Amy Wells Dolan.
2.17 Day of dialogue 2009-2012  Scope and Content Documents related to the Day of Dialogue held at the University of Mississippi coordinated by Valeria Ross and the Black History Month Committee. Includes correspondence, planning materials, schedules, fliers, and speaker bios.
2.18 Articles on UM mascot & Dixie 2002 February 2002-March 2002  Scope and Content Printed copies of The Daily Mississippian articles and editorials concerning rumors that University of Mississippi chancellor Robert Khayat planned to phase out university symbols such as Colonel Reb and “Dixie.”
2.19 November 6, 2012 election night incident November 2012  Scope and Content Materials related to the election night disturbance that occurred at the University of Mississippi after the re-election of President Barack Obama. Includes email correspondence from professors and administrators, articles, and statements from student leaders.
2.20 The Laramie Project incident 2013 October 2013  Scope and Content Documents and materials related to the student-led disturbance during a 2013 production of The Laramie Project at the University of Mississippi. Includes email correspondence, drafts of official statements, Bias Incident Response Team materials, articles, police reports, plans for campus discussions, and handwritten notes by Valeria Ross.
2.21 Laramie Project incident communication/BIRT response October 2013  Scope and Content Consists mostly of correspondence concerning the disruption of The Laramie Project play at the University of Mississippi. Correspondence includes printed emails between administrators, students, and the public.
2.22 2015 flag related incidents debriefing 11 November 2015  Scope and Content Printed agenda for a debriefing of various state-flag related incidents at the University of Mississippi.
2.23 Photographs Undated  Scope and Content Ten photo album pages with photographs of events on the University of Mississippi campus. Possibly Black Student Union activities.
2.24 Misc. awards & certificates 2001-2013  Scope and Content Assorted certificates and awards. Some certificates awarded to Valeria Ross in recognition for her work at the University of Mississippi.
2.25 Misc. newspapers 2005-2014  Scope and Content Original copies of The Daily Mississippian and Oxford Eagle newspapers that include articles relevant to African Americans at the University of Mississippi or controversial incidents on campus.
2.26 Misc. programs, fliers, etc. 2001-2014  Scope and Content Miscellaneous fliers, event programs, etc. for minority events at the University of Mississippi, including Black History Month, the Day of Dialogue, 50 Years of Integration event, and others. Organized chronologically with undated materials at back.
2.27 Misc. documents [2012?]-2015  Scope and Content Two unfiled documents. The first is an email from Aileen Ajootian offering a $20,000 endowment for the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir. The second document is a program for an event entitled “Them Becoming Us: Reliving the Integration of Mississippi Higher Education.” [Would like input on possible other places to file these!]
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Box 3: Medals & Nametag 2006-2014  Scope and Content Three medals and one nametag for events at the University of Mississippi organized for black and minority students. Includes two medals for the Celebration of Achievement in 2014. Also includes a 2006 medal from the Afrolympics, an event where teams of mixed races compete in games and sports in an effort to promote dialogue and exchange. Lastly, box includes a nametag and pass for the 2011 Celebration of Achievement. The nametag belonged to Gaye’neila Hardaway.
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Box 4: History of Black Greek letter organizations of University of Mississippi Undated  Scope and Content Scrapbook created by [students?] Lanier Goethie, Matthew Hunt, Ayana McCoy, and Emily Tucker. Includes photos, articles, and timelines on black Greek organizations at the University of Mississippi. Includes entries for Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Sigma Gamma Rho.
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Box 5: Oversized posters and fliers 1998-2016  Scope and Content Miscellaneous posters and fliers for various University of Mississippi events dealing with race, civil rights, and diversity. Includes Black History Month posters, Hispanic Heritage Month posters, and event posters promoting featured speakers. Some posters include speaker signatures. Organized chronologically with undated posters last.
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