The major portion of the collection consists of administrative files of the offices of the president, 1937-1949, and the chancellor, 1949-1950, of Cornell. In addition, three small series in the collection contain Day's correspondence with the Social Science Research Council, 1937-1941; Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, 1927-1942; and Teaching Film Custodians, Inc., 1936-1942.

Administrative papers, 1921-1952, concern the daily operation of the offices of the president, 1937-1949, and the chancellor, 1949-1950, and Day's activities and involvement with a broad range of organizations, issues, and people. The papers consist primarily of correspondence, but contain a wide variety of other administrative records. There is considerable correspondence with members of the Cornell administration, successive provosts, treasurers, secretaries, and vice presidents, as well as the university trustees. Alumni records include correspondence, minutes and reports of the Cornell Fund Council, 1945-1947, and letters from numerous individual alumni. In addition to faculty correspondence concerning admnistration of the colleges and schools, there are files on appointments, promotions, and tenure. Students and student affairs constitute the largest subject area. The papers also document the growth of Cornell during Day's presidency, including the establishment of the Schools of Business and Public Administration, Nutrition, and Industrial and Labor Relations, and the growth of the Medical College and its affiliation with the New York and Memorial Hospitals and the Sloan-Kettering Institute. Important policy issues covered include teacher, veteran, and adult education; National Science Foundation legislation; and the development of a statewide system of higher education.

Social Science Research Council papers, 1937-1941, arranged chronologically, concern the activities of the Council relating to Day's participation as a member-at-large, 1937-1941, and as Chairman of the Council's Committee on Appraisal of Research, 1937-1939. This committee was established to examine the methodology of research in the social sciences. The papers contain correspondence with prominent figures in the social sciences and include memoranda, reports, printed material, and minutes dealing with the selection of committee members, the contributors of scholarly works in the social sciences to be appraised, and the selection of appraisers, as well as evaluations of the appraisals produced. In addition to a conference on Herbert Blumer's appraisal of "The Polish Peasant" by Znaniecki and Thomas, topics include research in public administration; a seminar on "Science: Its History, Philosophy, and Relation to Democracy," 1939; the Council's future role; and possible sources of funding.

Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association papers, arranged chronologically, concern the policies and administration of the association. Day served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the association, 1937-1941, and was Chairman of the Nominating Committee, 1939. The primary correspondents are the President of the TIAA, Henry James, and the Vice President, Rainor B. Robbins. The papers include letters, memoranda, reports, financial records, business statistics, constitution and by-laws, and minutes of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, 1935-1941. In addition to the general question of investment policies, other issues covered are the establishment in 1939 of the financial independence of the association from the Carnegie Corporation; revision of annuity contracts, 1941; proposed relations between the TIAA and the American Association of University Professors, 1941; and a legislative amendment for tax exemption, 1941.

Papers of the Teaching Film Custodians, Inc., 1936-1942, are arranged chronologically and concern the activities of the Advisory Committee on the Use of Motion Pictures in Education, organized at the request of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. and established to promote the scientific use of motion pictures for educational purposes. The primary correspondent, Mark A. May, was Chairman of the Advisory Committee and a Director of Teaching Films, Inc. Papers include correspondence, reports, minutes, and financial records. The primary issues covered are a report on the scope and purpose of the Advisory Committee, 1937; opposition to legislation proposing a reduction in tariffs on foreign films, 1938; and a motion picture classification system and catalogue for schools.