KUNM Records
Collection
Identifier: UNMA-161
Scope and Content Note
There are two parts to the KUNM records: records from the volunteers and non-management personnel who opposed the restructuring; and departmental records from management and those concerned with restructuring and "official day to day operations" of the radio station.
The records of the volunteers/opposition, Series 1, span 1981 to 1993. However, the primary focus of these records is on the restructuring proposal that spanned from 1987 to 1988. The majority of the records were obtained from Chris Martin who was at the core of the restructuring controversy. Her files were often cross-filed or, in other words, the same document would be found in several files. As much as possible, any extra copies were deleted and the best copy was kept in a newly created file. Files from other sources were added to the existing files resulting in a different perspective on the issue than is found in the files labeled Series II.
Those of the management, Series 2, are from the inception of the station in 1960 to approximately 1993. Most of the files though are dated through the 1970s and 1980s. Compared to Series 1, there is much less material on the proposed restructuring issues. The vast majority of the files were already in order and logically filed, so there was little change in file names or file contents. However, some of the material was not in files and other files were overflowing. In these instances, smaller, more precise files were created. This was often done via the year, or as found in the "Letters" section, via source. The following files were copied, returning the originals to KUNM: FCC Correspondence & Licensing; Radio War; Radio Board Bylaws; Radio Board Orientation; Radio Board Charter; & Rocky Mountain Corporation for Public Broadcasting Bylaws.
In each Series, the files are arranged alphabetically by subject, with subcategories as needed. In some cases, there are multiple files containing the same subject; in this situation, the files are labeled, 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc. In the Volunteers Records series, little attention was made by the original collectors as to order of material; i.e., each file was not kept in chronological order. In the Departmental Records series, the vast majority of files had been kept in chronological order. In both cases, the original attention to order was maintained. So, for the Volunteers files, chronology is usually lacking and will need to be arranged by the reader. Departmental Records are generally in chronological order, and we strongly urge the reader to pay close attention to maintaining this order.
It is also important to remember that there is some cross-over in the area of subject. An example of this is found in the "Letters" section. In the subcategory labeled "General" some of the letters may contain several issues, so that if the reader is concerned with "Performance Today," it would be most comprehensive to look in the specific file as well as the "General" file. This is not limited to the "Letters" section.
The records of the volunteers/opposition, Series 1, span 1981 to 1993. However, the primary focus of these records is on the restructuring proposal that spanned from 1987 to 1988. The majority of the records were obtained from Chris Martin who was at the core of the restructuring controversy. Her files were often cross-filed or, in other words, the same document would be found in several files. As much as possible, any extra copies were deleted and the best copy was kept in a newly created file. Files from other sources were added to the existing files resulting in a different perspective on the issue than is found in the files labeled Series II.
Those of the management, Series 2, are from the inception of the station in 1960 to approximately 1993. Most of the files though are dated through the 1970s and 1980s. Compared to Series 1, there is much less material on the proposed restructuring issues. The vast majority of the files were already in order and logically filed, so there was little change in file names or file contents. However, some of the material was not in files and other files were overflowing. In these instances, smaller, more precise files were created. This was often done via the year, or as found in the "Letters" section, via source. The following files were copied, returning the originals to KUNM: FCC Correspondence & Licensing; Radio War; Radio Board Bylaws; Radio Board Orientation; Radio Board Charter; & Rocky Mountain Corporation for Public Broadcasting Bylaws.
In each Series, the files are arranged alphabetically by subject, with subcategories as needed. In some cases, there are multiple files containing the same subject; in this situation, the files are labeled, 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc. In the Volunteers Records series, little attention was made by the original collectors as to order of material; i.e., each file was not kept in chronological order. In the Departmental Records series, the vast majority of files had been kept in chronological order. In both cases, the original attention to order was maintained. So, for the Volunteers files, chronology is usually lacking and will need to be arranged by the reader. Departmental Records are generally in chronological order, and we strongly urge the reader to pay close attention to maintaining this order.
It is also important to remember that there is some cross-over in the area of subject. An example of this is found in the "Letters" section. In the subcategory labeled "General" some of the letters may contain several issues, so that if the reader is concerned with "Performance Today," it would be most comprehensive to look in the specific file as well as the "General" file. This is not limited to the "Letters" section.
Dates
- 1959-[ongoing]
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Historical Note
1959, KNMD went on the air as a carrier current station, available only on campus to areas with translators: dormitories and the Student Union. Programming was primarily informational. 1965, the station got an FCC license and began broadcasting to the community. 1966, the FCC granted KNMD a name change to KUNM (89.9 FM). At this time KUNM was owned and operated by the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM), financed entirely by student fees and governed by a radio board made up of faculty and a student representative. Beginning in 1980 there were problems with programming and station control. By this time KUNM was a public radio station financially supported by the University, student fees and the general public. In 1988 UNM President May placed control over the station in the hands of the Office of Vice President for Academic Affairs
Extent
11 Cubic Feet (11 Boxes)
Processing Information
Inquire with reference staff for access to unprocessed addition, 10 boxes.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the KUNM Records, 1959-[ongoing]
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Terry Gugliotta
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu