ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

GRAND FORKS AREA DRAFT COUNSELING SERVICE

COLLECTION: OGL #243

DATES: 1950-1973 [bulk dates, 1968-1973]

SIZE: 2.0 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Grand Forks Area Draft Counseling Service Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by John B. Wood on June 14, 1974. One folder of counselor's notes was closed until June 14, 1989.

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Grand Forks Area Draft Counseling Service was organized after a draft counseling workshop was held on the University of North Dakota campus in November 1970. By January 1971, the organization was meeting in the Memorial Union with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. The organization realized that the draft was a "very real and urgent problem for young people," and was formed to counsel individuals on their rights in relation to military service. The group felt that all individuals, regardless of their political view should be aware of their rights, alternatives and obligations regarding military service. The purpose of the counseling service was to provide potential draftees with accurate information, help them with procedures and leave them to make their own decisions about military service.

The organization was composed of ministers, community workers, university staff and students. During office hours, individuals could access information, talk with a counselor or make an appointment to meet with one at a later date. The services were geared primarily toward high school students because there were already services available to college students.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Grand Forks Area Community Draft Information Service Records contain information on the formation and operation of the organization. The collection is divided into five sections. The first two sections contain general information about the counseling service and alternatives to the draft. The first section, Basic Counseling Files, contains information related to the organization of the counseling service, its purpose, individuals interested in its services and materials available to those individuals. The second section, Subject Resource Files, contains information regarding alternatives to the draft. Included is information about church related options, deferments that could be applied for and information on prison terms for individuals who refused the draft. The information in this section is arranged alphabetically by topic.

The last three sections contain publications from specific organizations on draft related topics. The third section, Periodicals, contains various publications, such as letters, newsletters and brochures, relating to the draft issues of the times. They are arranged alphabetically by the name of the publication or organization. The fourth section, Pamphlets, contains pamphlets related to various draft topics, including conscientious objection, draft alternatives and draft resistance. The pamphlets are arranged alphabetically by topic within the section. The final section, Books, contains ten books that address issues surrounding the draft and are arranged alphabetically by title.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder
Basic Counseling Files

  1. Policy Statement of the Grand Forks Area Draft Counseling Service Records
  2. Correspondence
  3. "CCO Draft Counselor's Manual"
  4. Counselor's Notes
  5. News Releases
  6. Alternatives to Military Service Information
  7. Conscientious Objector Case File: Frank McLain
  8. Draft Counseling Information
  9. "Draft Packet"
  10. "The Draft Law and Antiwar Protest: And Introduction for Layman"
  11. "Draft Counseling and Educational Centers: A Manual for Organizing"
  12. Draft Literature Available for Purchase
  13. General Suggestions for Draft Evaders and Deserters
  14. "Medical Ethics and the Military"
  15. Miscellaneous Draft Counseling Forms
  16. Miscellaneous Draft Counseling Notes
  17. North Dakota Selective Service System: Clerical Instructions
  18. Reading Room Literature
  19. "Why High School ROTC?

Subject Resource Files

  1. Aliens and the Draft
  2. Church Related Alternatives to the Draft
  3. General Draft Information: Miscellaneous Draft Related Topics
  4. General Draft Information: Prison
  5. Hardship Deferments
  6. Immigration to Canada
  7. Medical and Moral Fitness
  8. Medical and Moral Fitness Standards
  9. The Reserves: An Overview
  10. ROTC Discharge and Disenrollment
  11. Student Deferent Memo

Periodicals

  1. Alert
  2. Changes
  3. Check Out the Odds
  4. Counterdraft"
  5. Directives Capsule"
  6. Draft Counselor Newsletter," August 1961-June 1971
  7. Draft Counselor Newsletter," August 1971-March 1973
  8. FCLA" Newsletter
  9. Federation of American Scientists
  10. Fellowship
  11. Miscellaneous Periodicals
  12. News Notes
  13. Peacemakers Leaflets and Brochure
  14. Resistance to the Draft
  15. Selective Service News
  16. Tax Talk
  17. War Resisters League
  18. WIN

Pamphlets

  1. Alternatives to the Draft Pamphlets
  2. Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors Pamphlets
  3. Conscientious Objector Pamphlets
  4. Draft Counselor Pamphlets
  5. General Draft Pamphlets
  6. Miscellaneous Draft Pamphlets
  7. Resistance Pamphlets

Box 2
Folder
Books

  1. The Dagger and the Cross
  2. The Draft?
  3. Face to Face with your Draft Board
  4. Guide to the Draft
  5. Handbook for Conscientious Objectors
  6. IV-F: A Guide to Draft Exemption
  7. Letters of a C.O. from Prison
  8. Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada
  9. The New Testament Basis of Pacifism
  10. Religious Statements on Conscientious Objection

Return to: Military History

Special Collections Home Page Contact Special Collections Chester Fritz Library Home Page