SIA records are dated 1969-1991, but the bulk of the records document the associates during the period 1974-1985. These records consist of five series: Company Series, Reprint Series, Short Course and Seminar Series, Subject Files, and Tapes & Films Series. The records do not include the charter of the organization, budgets or the minutes of meetings of the Advisory Committee. These policy documents are filed in the records of the SIO Office of the Director (Nierenberg). The records in this collection largely consist of membership records and records of benefits received by SIA members.

SIO Director William A. Nierenberg suggested "forming a traveling committee to raise money for the operation of the [Geological] Data Center. ... I suggest the minimum objective hitting about eight oil companies for $50,000 a year" in a memorandum to H. William Menard written August 11, 1969. George Shor has suggested that this program be modeled on a similar program at Lamont-Doherty Geophysical Institute. Leaders of Texaco, Inc. learned of the program from Geological Research Division Chair George Shor and sent a check for $20,000 payable to the Scripps Industrial Associates Program in 1971. A number of petroleum companies and other companies, such as the Science Applications International Corporation, with an interest in oceanography were invited to join the organization between 1971 and 1973. Membership in SIA had several benefits during this period, including reference and quick copy service for geological data at Scripps and invitations to special seminars first offered in 1971. By 1974, seventeen companies were members of Scripps Industrial Associates and $600,000 in contributions had been received. SIA funds were used to maintain the Geological Data Center, as research grants for SIO scientists and for student fellowships. Seminars became more structured with agendas and formal addresses by specific scientists as well as informal briefings on scientific developments and field results....applied principally to support GRD activities at Scripps. In recognition of this fiscal assistance,Scripps has made readily available to the SIA members various survey data and other pertinent information; has facilitated access to more detailed records as requested; has provided liaison services with scientific personnel; and had conducted a series of seminars for membership on topics of timely interest.

11.25 li. ft.

Student and personnel records are restricted in accordance with law and university policy.

Collection is open for research.