Collection Scope

The Utah State University Eastern Special Collections & Archives (ESCA) collects, preserves, and provides access to materials that document the history and development of the Eastern Campus, as well as the contributions made by the institution and members of its community to the surrounding area.

The collections represent the history of the institution from its origins as Carbon College, founded in 1937 and opened to students in the fall of 1939; through its development as the College of Eastern Utah (CEU), following the legislative change in 1965; and into its current history as Utah State University Eastern (USU Eastern), following its merger with Utah State University in 2010.

Hand holding box icon Donations & Collaborations

ESCA welcomes donations and collaborations with individuals, organizations, and departments both within and outside of Utah State University Eastern to expand and enrich its collections in support of its mission to safeguard and celebrate the campus’s legacy for present and future generations.

Externally donated materials must demonstrate either a strong affiliation with Utah State University Eastern or significant educational or research value for students, faculty, staff, or the broader community.

Unlocked icon Access & Use

The Utah State University Eastern Special Collections & Archives promotes access to its collections in accordance with the principles of open access, intellectual freedom, and privacy. Collections are made available for research, teaching, learning, and public engagement while respecting applicable legal and ethical considerations, including copyright, privacy, confidentiality, and donor-imposed restrictions.

Access to certain materials may be limited or subject to specific protocols and procedures established by ESCA. Restrictions may be applied when necessary to protect individuals’ privacy, comply with legal requirements, preserve fragile or sensitive materials, or honor documented donor agreements.

Ban icon Exclusions

ESCA does not collect materials that fall outside its collecting scope or that duplicate existing holdings unless they provide significant additional value. Exclusions include:

  • Personal papers and materials unrelated to Utah State University Eastern’s mission, history, or activities.
  • Materials that pose a risk to individual privacy or confidentiality or that are subject to legal restrictions that prevent their preservation or use.
  • Deteriorating or hazardous materials that present significant preservation challenges, particularly materials that may place other collections at risk.
  • Routine administrative records with no long-term historical, evidential, or research value.
  • Artifacts and objects that are not suitable for archival preservation or that fall outside ESCA’s collecting scope.
  • Published books, including rare books, that are neither authored by Utah State University Eastern personnel nor directly related to the history, development, or activities of Utah State University Eastern.

ESCA reserves the right to decline donations, or portions of donations, when materials do not meet its collecting scope, preservation capabilities, access requirements, or other established collection development criteria.