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This series consists of the records created in organizing events at Columbia since the 1920s. The personnel in charge of ceremonies and the reporting structure has changed a number of times since the early days of the Committee on Public Ceremonies. There are five sets of records from the different eras or administrations and there are overlaps in the dates.

This series contains the records from guests either in the form of responses to invitations or signatures in the University guest books. The "accepts and regrets" are letters, not forms, received from invitees. The guest books, which were kept in the Office of the Secretary (212 Low Library), can include transcriptions which identify the signees by name and title.

This series contains the invitation to events held at other institutions. The "representation files" are organized alphabetically by the name of the inviting institution and then mostly by academic year. Each event packet is labeled by the institution, event date, event title, and representative sent (if any). Events include presidential inaugurations, anniversary celebrations, commencements, conferences, convocations, dedications, etc. Packets can include the original invitation, correspondence with the hosting institution and the local delegate(s), and responses mailed with the official Columbia University credentials. The files capture the ritual and practice of sending delegates and credentials to fellow institutions.