The bulk of the collection (83.5 document boxes) is open to researchers according to the regulations of the College Archives. Some material has been restricted according to the College Archives policies. A small selection is currently open only to employees of the office of origin. College policy and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act require the restriction of the records of both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Counselors.

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish or quote from the documents must be obtained from the Smith College Archives.

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Office of the President Thomas Corwin Mendenhall Files, Box #, Smith College Archives.

The majority of the Mendenhall Files were transferred to the College Archives from the Office of the President in a number of accessions dating from the time of his tenure until the present. Some material, however, came from Mendenhall himself after his retirement in 1975, and then from his wife, Cornelia Mendenhall, after his death in 1998. Additional biographical materials, such as news clippings, press releases, and photographs, have been added by the College Archives staff.

The Records of the Office of the President is considered a continuing collection, because certain materials remain in active use by the office for periods exceeding a president's actual tenure. The College Archives may receive accessions/additions long after the date of creation. Significant additions will be noted in an updated finding aid.

Processed by Laura Finkel.