Tiernan Project collection, 1994-2015
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- University of Rochester
- Extent:
- 7.21 linear feet (5 boxes, 1 flat file)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Item title, item date], Tiernan Project Collection, UA24, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Tiernan Project Collection contains organizational, planning, and other material from 1994 through 2015 relating to the group's service in the Rochester community.
The collection consists predominantly of material rehoused from four binders. Binders 1, 2, and 4 include executive board documents such as agendas, minutes, constitutions, evaluation forms, correspondence, election information, and transition booklets. These binders also include planning information for social events such as the Pot Luck Dinner and Tiernan Brunch, and community-service events such as the Spaghetti Dinner, Tiernan Week, and Halloween Party. Additionally, binders 2 and 4 include several issues of Tiernan Project's newsletter, the Stall Seat Journal (so-called because it was displayed in bathroom stalls), which contained announcements, publicized events, and included hand-drawn comics. Binder 3 consists mainly of information about volunteer opportunities and appears to have been arranged by organizations (e.g., Adopt-a-Highway, the Catholic Family Center, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Rochester Cares, and the United Way) and categories (e.g., Corps Types, Elderly, Families, Food Centers, Shelter Outreach, and Women.) Other material in this binder includes a newspaper, lists of executive board members, and letters requesting donations.
The collection also includes oversize publicity and decorative items created by the Tiernan Project. There are banners for events that were hung in Wilson Commons; an event poster; and an "executive board" (a wooden board with the names of presidents of the group).
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Tiernan Project began in 1974 as a two-year experiment with the goal of creating a sense of community within residential halls. The entire Tiernan building on the Residence Quad of River Campus was reserved for Tiernan Project members and their Residential Life Advisors. Members were selected through an application process organized by a committee of students, Residential Life staff, and Student Life office staff. From its base in Tiernan Hall, Tiernan Project organized social activities for students such as coffeehouses, ice cream socials, and a yoga group. It also created opportunities for students to meet with administration and faculty through dinners and presentations.
A key aspect of Tiernan Project was its emphasis on the Rochester community, in addition to the campus community. One of Tiernan Project's community-service events was the Halloween Party, for which the group reached out to community centers and shelters, most of which accommodated families in crisis, to bring children to campus for festive activities. These activities included taking part in Scare Fair at Rush Rhees Library, trick-or-treating at residence halls, and enjoying food and games. This event was often co-sponsored by other groups on campus such as Greek organizations or other residence halls.
In the 2003/2004 academic year, Tiernan Project moved from Tiernan Hall to the second floor of Burton Hall. It remained there until its final year in 2014/2015. Members continued to pursue their passion to serve by ending their last semester with one of their signature events, the Spaghetti Dinner. For this annual event, the group hosted underprivileged children at the campus for a spaghetti dinner, activities, and special performances. Additionally, they hosted Kindness Week with other organizations on campus such as D'Lions, Grassroots, and PAWS (Peers for Animal Wellness and Safety) to celebrate International Week for Random Acts of Kindness.
- Acquisition information:
- Transferred by Sarah Pristash and Melissa Holko, April-May 2015.
- Processing information:
-
Contents of binders were removed from their housing and placed in their original order in folders. Several adhesive notes were removed and replaced with notes written on archival paper.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit.
Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.
- Terms of access:
-
To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Item title, item date], Tiernan Project Collection, UA24, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
- Location of this collection:
- Contact:
- (585) 275-2121archives@rochester.edu