DAS Subcommittee

Reports to: Committee on Education

The Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring that the Digital Archives Specialist curriculum remains up-to-date.  Because the curriculum is likely to require frequent changes, the Subcommittee suggests and implements changes to the curriculum (including the examinations) as needed.  In addition, the Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring the currency of the core competencies for a DAS certificate, overseeing the learning outcomes to ensure that they support the core competencies, and supporting the development of new courses.

II. Committee Selection, Size, and Length of Terms

The Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Subcommittee consists of eight members (including a chair) appointed by the SAA Vice President for staggered four-year terms. The subcommittee chair serves as an ex officio member of the Committee on Education.  The SAA Education Director serves as an ex officio member of the subcommittee.

The membership of the subcommittee shall comprise a mix of practicing archivists with e-records/digital experience and or knowledge, teaching experience, technical skills, expertise covering the archival spectrum, and administrative or supervisory experience. Ideally, the subcommittee as a whole will reflect individual and institutional diversity. It is preferred that subcommittee members have a DAS certificate.

Members can expect to spend four to five hours per month on subcommittee work.

III. Reporting Procedures

The subcommittee reports to the Committee on Education, providing updates at each meeting and intermittently as appropriate. 

The subcommittee works closely with the Education Director, serving in an advisory capacity on education-related projects and programs operated out of the executive office.

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess and recommend changes to the DAS curriculum as needed.
• Ensure the currency and relevance of the core competencies for a DAS certificate.
• Oversee course learning outcomes to ensure that they support the core competencies.
• Identify new topics for development.
• Liaise with developers/instructors to ensure high-quality offerings.
• Author the Comprehensive Examination and assure its integrity.

V. Meetings

The subcommittee meets formally in-person once each year and via monthly virtual calls. The subcommittee often meets in conjunction with the Committee on Education at SAA's annual meeting.