United Campus Christian Fellowship at New Mexico State University Records
Collection
Identifier: UA-4A formerly Ms 120
Scope and Content
The United Campus Christian Fellowship Records consists of the New Mexico State University's local branch materials. Spanning the years 1966-1972, the collection contains various publications from underground press, including copies of the NMA and M Conscience, NMSU's banned activist newsletter, and the fellowship's own newsletter, Man Alive. Extensive information on the University/Hut conflict can be found in the correspondence folder, including a critque of the O'Donnell report on the undesirability of "The Hut."
Additional records include by-laws and a constitution, printed materials and policy papers from various church groups describing what a campus ministry program should contain, newspaper accounts and handbills describing "The Hut" activities, plus meeting agenda and minutes of the Local Operating Committee, the clergy and lay local body that oversaw the Fellowship's operations.
This collection was originally housed in the Rio Grande Historical Collections under Ms 120. It has been transferred to the Hobson-Huntsinger University Archives at NMSU.
Additional records include by-laws and a constitution, printed materials and policy papers from various church groups describing what a campus ministry program should contain, newspaper accounts and handbills describing "The Hut" activities, plus meeting agenda and minutes of the Local Operating Committee, the clergy and lay local body that oversaw the Fellowship's operations.
This collection was originally housed in the Rio Grande Historical Collections under Ms 120. It has been transferred to the Hobson-Huntsinger University Archives at NMSU.
Dates
- 1966-1972
Language of Materials
English
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
The copyrights possessed in this collection by the Mesilla Valley Christian Church have been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
The copyrights possessed in this collection by the Mesilla Valley Christian Church have been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Historical Sketch
Nationally the United Campus Christian Fellowship (UCCF) resulted from a merger of the college student programs of four protestant denominations: The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the International Convention of Christian Churches, the United Church of Christ, and the Evangelical United Brethren. At New Mexico State University, the University Westminister Fellowship and the Disciple Student Fellowship cooperated in carrying out the work of the UCCF.
In 1966, the UCCF at New Mexico State formed a United Campus Ministry (UCM) and as part of its joint mission established "The Hut." "The Hut" served as a gathering place for poetry readings, open forums, cultural programs, folk festivals, play reading, and art shows. Faculty members used "The Hut" as a place for discussions not normally acceptable in class rooms. Issues including the war in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, and the anti-establishment feelings of the time were discussed at "The Hut." These activities and the involvement of UCM minister Jim Neilsen in the protest against compulsory R.O.T.C. at NMSU caused ill feeling between the university administration and "The Hut."
Eventually, the administration with local church support succeeded in closing "The Hut." Although there was an angry reaction and a vigorous campaign to save "The Hut" waged by the underground press and campus activists, the various organizations involved in the venture gradually withdrew support and the UCCF ceased to be a vocal part of the NMSU community.
In 1966, the UCCF at New Mexico State formed a United Campus Ministry (UCM) and as part of its joint mission established "The Hut." "The Hut" served as a gathering place for poetry readings, open forums, cultural programs, folk festivals, play reading, and art shows. Faculty members used "The Hut" as a place for discussions not normally acceptable in class rooms. Issues including the war in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, and the anti-establishment feelings of the time were discussed at "The Hut." These activities and the involvement of UCM minister Jim Neilsen in the protest against compulsory R.O.T.C. at NMSU caused ill feeling between the university administration and "The Hut."
Eventually, the administration with local church support succeeded in closing "The Hut." Although there was an angry reaction and a vigorous campaign to save "The Hut" waged by the underground press and campus activists, the various organizations involved in the venture gradually withdrew support and the UCCF ceased to be a vocal part of the NMSU community.
Extent
.25 linear ft.
Abstract
Agendas, minutes, correspondence, handbills, publications, newspaper clippings, United Campus Ministry (UCM) policy papers, printed materials, and structural documents of the United Campus Christian Fellowship at New Mexico State University. This organization operated the controversial "The Hut" near the Las Cruces campus during the student unrest of the late 1960's.
Acquisition
- A75-69 Gift of Mesilla Valley Christian Church through Monroe Billington, August 1975
General
Contact Information
- Archives and Special Collections
- New Mexico State University Library
- P.O. Box 30006
- Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8006
- Phone: (505) 646-3839
- Fax: (505) 646-7477
- Email: archives@lib.nmsu.edu
- URL: http://archives.nmsu.edu
General
- Title
- Inventory of the United Campus Christian Fellowship at New Mexico State University Records, 1966-1972
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by Merleen Dibert
- Date
- © 2000
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State University::Archives and Special Collections//TEXT (US::NmLcU::Ms 120::United Campus Christian Fellowship at New Mexico State University Records)//EN" "nmlcu1ms120.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository