Fonds consists of textual documents created and accumulated by various groups and organizations within the Institute of Public Affairs/Henson College. Documents include articles, correspondence, minutes, memos, newspaper and magazine clippings, interviews, field notes, pamphlets, and reports. Many of the documents pertain to the internal operations of the IPA.

The fonds also contains research proposals and reports related to energy, community growth, urban and rural development, labour studies, education, economic and industrial development, the medical sector, and housing. There is significant work on the status of African Nova Scotians in the employment and economic structure of Nova Scotia and the health of people in the Maritime provinces.

The fonds also contains reference material kept by the IPA in its corporate library, which was used in the research and drafting of various reports.

Fonds contains the business archives of the Dalhousie Faculty Association.

This fonds well-documents the minutes of the Student Council and contains a considerable proportion of correspondence, most arising from various committees and from Dalhousie Student Union presidents and managers.

The Student Union Council records contain minutes and reports covering almost one century (1899-1994) of student government at Dalhousie.

As well, activities of the following units (spanning various years, mostly within the 1960s and 1970s) are included, though the records are not comprehensive: Academic Planning Committee, Advisory Council on Athletics, Alcohol and Drug Awareness Committee, Amateur Athletic Club, Association of Student Councils, Association of Students with Disabilities, Canadian University Travel Service, Dalhousie Student Entertainment Committee, Halifax Student Housing Society, Saga Food Services, Science Society, Yearbook (1971 only), Young Men's Christian Association of Dalhousie College.

Fonds consists of records pertaining to Dalhousie Art Gallery publicity, exhibitions, collections, openings and events, and administration. Types of materials include press releases, brochures, tickets, a poster, photographs, course information, programs, calendars, catalogues, reports, financial records, notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes and agendas, and other materials.

Fonds consists of annual reports, records pertaining to interest groups formed within the club, membership information, minutes and agendas, administrative records, newsletters, photographs, and records for committees, events, and finances.