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University of New Mexico Physical Plant Records

 Collection
Identifier: UNMA 115

Scope and Content Note

The University of New Mexico Physical Plant records document the activities of the Physical Plant Department between 1943 and 1999. The records are organized into three series. The first series contains the Physical Plant's newsletter El Servicio Real and is arranged chronologically. Each issue includes original layout documentation and some photographs. This series also includes El Servicio Real printing material, biographies, and correspondence. The second series, Administration, contains training documents, guidelines, bills and utilities records, and general correspondence. The third series, Photographs, contains negatives, photographs, and slides of University of New Mexico administrators, Physical Plant employees, meetings, and workshops.

Dates

  • 1943-1999
  • Majority of material found in 1965-1979

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.

Departmental History

The University of New Mexico Physical Plant records document the activities of the Physical Plant Department(PPD) between 1943 and 1999. The University of New Mexico was founded in 1889 with one building. Since that time, the Physical Plant Department provided the maintenance for all the buildings in the University of New Mexico.

When the enrollment at The University of New Mexico totaled 108 students and all maintenance functions were confined to the only campus building, Hodgin Hall, it was simple to get immediate action on requests for Physical Plant services. If services were needed, all one had to do was find a gentleman by the name of Mr. Custers, who had many roles as a university employee, including custodian, heating plant operator, carpenter/painter, groundskeeper, and librarian.

Over 120 years later, the PPD, with over 300 employees has grown and provides many more services than just maintenance and utilities. The PPD name did not quite encompass the entirety of what is provided to the UNM campus community by the department, nor did the name directly identify the work of its employees. Therefore, on August 24, 2019 it changed its name to Facilities Management.

Facilities Management now has approximately 350 employees who are responsible for more than 12 million square feet of interior space and 680 acres of land. Facilities Management manages the operation and maintenance of UNM's facilities, including buildings, grounds, landscaping, vehicles, and utilities.

Extent

4 cu. ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract

The University of New Mexico Physical Plant records document the activities of the Physical Plant Department between 1943 and 1999. Founded in 1889, The University of New Mexico began with one building. Since then, the Physical Plant Department has provided the maintenance for all the buildings in the University of New Mexico.
Title
Finding Aid of the University of New Mexico Physical Plant Records, 1943-1999
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Valerio Di Fonzo
Date
© 2019
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

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