The first group of papers pertains to his work on the OSU College of Forestry faculty, on university committees and other activities, and with the university's Career Planning and Placement Center. College of Forestry records (1949-1976) include correspondence and meeting minutes relating to the planning and construction of Peavy Hall; research records pertaining to Douglas fir, plywood, and the balsam woolly aphid; historical information on the School, the Forestry Club, and McDonald Forest; and a consultant report on the Drain Plywood Company.
Committee records include the Ad Hoc Committee on General Education, 1971-1973; and the Faculty Reviews and Appeals Committee, 1974-1976. Records of other activities include the third student-faculty conference in January and February 1969. Career Planning and Placement Center materials (1975-1990) include correspondence; a 1990 recruiter evaluation of the center; and materials for a managerial course given to a private sector company.
The second group of papers documents the ten terms Van Vliet served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly representing House District 35 in Benton County (1975-1995). Most of the materials in this group are closed until January 1, 2006. Closed records include correspondence; speeches, statements, and editorials; legislative and gubernatorial committee, council and task force records; bills files; and information files on significant issues. Records that are open in this group include legislative directories, guides and handbooks; campaign and election materials; constituent surveys; published reports; and newspaper clippings about the 1993 session.
The third group of papers pertains to other organizations and activities that Van Vliet has been involved with. Included are materials pertaining to Corvallis Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., the ARC of Benton County, and the Republican Party. This group also contains a hand-tinted photograph of a lumber mill.
An addition to the Van Vliet Papers (Accession 2007:032) is made up of buttons, certificates, correspondence, newspaper clippings, notes, photographs, plaques, posters, precinct maps, publications, sound recordings, speeches, stickers, videotapes, and a chart of campaign volunteers. Largely documenting Van Vliet's career as an Oregon State representative for Benton County, these materials also pertain to Van Vliet's participation on advisory bodies appointed by the governor and involvement in Benton County bond and fiscal measures after retiring from elective service in 1993. In addition to chronologically arranged files documenting legislative sessions and election campaigns, there are also materials in this transfer relating to particular bills and measures. Among the topics reflected in these files include: state employee retirement benefits, the Oregon Health Plan, a sales tax proposal, and statewide wrestling/boxing regulation. The photographs depict Van Vliet at work in the capitol as a representative, giving speeches, with his family, and receiving honors from the Oregon Governor and others. The sound recordings document senate sessions, campaign ads, speeches, and interviews. Wooden poles used as a prop in demonstrating the Oregon's lack of a "three-legged" tax structure were also part of this transfer.
