Central Files is composed chiefly of correspondence sent and received between Columbia University administrators and other University officers, faculty, and trustees, as well as correspondence sent and received between University administrators and individuals and organizations from outside the university.

The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, drafts, committee meeting reports, speeches, calendars, etc. of Grayson L. Kirk, former Columbia University President. Also included are books from his library. There are also materials deemed by the Office of the President staff as "personal," meaning not directly related to Columbia University. These included the records of the Jacob R. Schiff Charitable Trust and the New York World's Fair 1964-1965.

The materials that comprise the Historical Biographical Files have been collected and added to from a variety of sources over the years by current and previous staff. The files consist of materials related to people who have a connection to the University whether as student, alumni, administrator, faculty, staff, guest lecturer, or honorary degree recipient. Materials generally consist of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, ephemera, printed matter, lists, reports, and pamphlets.

The Historical Photo Collection contains images of persons, events, and activities associated with Columbia College (1754-1896) and Columbia University (1896-).

This collection consists of the working materials Joanne Grant, a journalist and activist, collected for the research and publication of her 1969 book Confrontation on Campus: Columbia Pattern for the New Protest (New York: New American Library, 1969).

Materials consist of biographical, faculty, historical, subject and chornological files maintained by this office, speeches of University Presidents, Columbia in the News publications, and materials generated by Fred Knuble, Director of Public Information from 1969 to his death in 1998.

Minutes, memoranda and other materials written by and for the Columbia University Board of Trustees Special Committee formed in May 1968.

The student strikes of this era, in particular that of 1968, represent the main focus of the collection, although other issues and many voices are expressed. The collection contains material authored by Columbia University administration, faculty, students, as well as non-affiliated organizations and individuals.

This collection is comprised of one diary, personal documents, writings, and correspondence all having to do with the Columbia University Disturbances of 1968.