The Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically. It covers a wide range of topics on legal and political matters and university affairs. A select index to correspondents provides access to some of the more significant correspondents.
The Michigan Union series includes correspondence and other material relating to the planning, funding and construction of the Michigan Union building.
The Miscellaneous Papers series includes files on a number of legal cases in which Bates was involved, book reviews and articles, papers concerning the Bates memorial service and letters of condolence following Bates' death in 1949.