The collection was created by the Florida State College for Women-Florida State University Executive Council.

The Executive Council, the major governing body of Florida State College for Women (FSCW) and, later, Florida State University (FSU), began during the administration of Florida State College for Women President Edward Conradi, and continued after its transition to Florida State University in 1947. The first meeting of the Executive Council cited in these records was held June 13, 1931. During the 1930s, members included:

- President Edward Conradi

- Nathaniel Salley, Dean of School of Education

- Margaret R. Sandels, Dean, School of Home Economics

- Dr. William Dodd, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences

- Charlotte W. Beckham, Dean of Women

- Dr. Elizabeth Gordon Andrews, Personnel Director

- Elmer R. Smith, Mathematics Department Head, Secretary

- John Gabriel Kellum, Business Manager

- Simeon Doyle, Registrar (became Secretary in June, 1931).

During the 1940s, the Executive Council included:

- President Conradi, later replaced by President Doak S.Campbell

- Ralph Eyman, Dean of the College of Education

- Dr. Olivia Dorman, Dean of Students and later head of the Classics Department

With the creation of the Tallahassee Branch of the University of Florida (TBUF) on September 2, 1946, Campbell appointed the following individuals to the Council and to the TBUF administration: Dr. Milton Washington Carothers, TBUF Director; Otis McBride, TBUF Dean of Men, and Dr. Coyle E. Moore, TBUF Registrar.

Just before May 15, 1947, when FSCW changed its name FSU and became coeducational, the Council included:

- President Campbell, Dean Eyman, Dean Dorman, Dr. Andrews, and Dr. Hinson (continuing).

- Dr. Guy Diffenbaugh, appointed by Conradi as Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences to replace Dr. Dodd, who retired in 1944.

- Karl O. Kuersteiner, Dean of School of Music, who replaced Dean Opperman when she retired in 1944.

- Rod Kirkpatrick Shaw, Business Manager.

When FSU was created in 1947, the composition of the Executive Council greatly expanded. During the 1949-1950 academic year, the Council comprised:

- President Campbell, Dean Eyman, Dean McBride, and Rod Kirkpatrick Shaw (continuing).

- Edwin Walker, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

- Katherine Warren, Dean of Women

- J. Broward Culpepper, Executive Director of Florida Board of Control

- Dr. Milton Washington Carothers, Dean of the Graduate School

- Dr. William Hugh Stickler, Director of Institutional Research and Service

- Mark DeGraff, Professor of Education and Director of the Test Service Bureau

- John N. Baker, Director of Public Relations

- Dr. Thomas J. Brooks, Head Physician, University Health Service

- Dr. Charles Shepard Davis, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

- Charles H. Walker, Secretary

Beginning in 1950, the functions of the Executive Council are cited in the Faculty Handbook. The Policies and Procedures Handbook for Faculty and Staff for that year states that its functions are:

- To cooperate with the President in putting into effect regulations adopted by the Board of Control, regulations and by-laws adopted by authorized legislative bodies of the university, and policies which may be declared by the Faculty Senate.

- To serve as a cabinet to the President.

- To advise with him in matters of administration and to consider and decide any administrative questions which he may submit to them.

- To enact legislation which unusual conditions may make necessary between meetings of the General Faculty and Faculty Senate, such legislation to be in effect only until it can be submitted to the Faculty Senate for final action.

- To have full jurisdiction in all matters, administrative in character, referred to it by the President.

The Executive Council was to meet at the call of the President, usually on the first Monday of each month. The President is the presiding officer at Council meetings.

From 1955-1956, the Executive Council was composed of:

- Dr. Robert Manning Strozier, President

- Roderick Kirkpatrick Shaw, Treasurer and Business Manager

- Charles H. Walker, Registrar

- Dr. Charles Shepard Davis, Dean of Faculties

- Dr. Mode L. Stone, Dean of the School of Education

- Hortense Glenn, Dean of the School of Home Economics

- Dr. Karl Otto Kuersteiner, Dean of the School of Music

- Dr. Milton Washington Carothers, Associate Dean of Faculties

- Dr. Louis Shores, Dean of the Library School

- Dr. Coyle E. Moore, Dean of the School of Social Welfare

- Dr. Wilson Keyser Doyle, Dean of the School of Public Administration

- Dr. Laurence Randolph Campbell, Dean of the School of Journalism

- Charles A. Rovetta, Dean of the School of Business

- Vivian M. Duxbury, Dean of the School of Nursing

- Dr. Werner A. Baum, Dean of the Graduate School

- Dr. J. Paul Reynolds, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

- Dr. Eugene M. Boyce, Associate Dean of the School of Education

The functions of the Council have changed very little over the years. According to the 2003 Florida State University Faculty Handbook, the Council "serves as the internal operations committee guiding the day-to-day activities of the University along policy directions established by the President."

From the guide to the Florida State College for Women/Florida State University Executive Council Minutes, 1930-1958, (Florida State University Libraries)