Archival materials are classified in a unique way which allows the archival principles of provenance* and respect des fonds**. UD's classifications system is recorded in the classification notebook in the archives office. Recorded groups are numbered 1-8 and 20-25. Additional groups may be opened as necessary. Within the large record groups are sub-groups designated by a number in parentheses, e.g., 1DC(17) is used for Father Roesch's files: 1 is University; 1D is the President; 1DC is the President's Files, writings, etc. and (17) stands for the seventeenth president, Father Roesch.

 Archives Classification Scheme

*  Provenance- Maintaining the Original Origin of a collection. For example if a file is from the President's Office, the Provenance of that file would be the President's Office.  The file would not be placed with the records of another office.

** Respect des Fonds- Respect for Original Order, how collections are arranged by the originating office or individual. For example, if the President's Office papers are originally arranged chronologically, the collection is not processed in alphabetically order.