South Dakota State University. Facilities and Services

• South Dakota State University. Physical Plant

South Dakota State University was established in 1881 as Dakota Agricultural College, with its first building completed in 1884. As the campus expanded through the early twentieth century, additional academic and administrative structures were constructed, including the Agricultural and Administration Building, later known as Morrill Hall, built between 1911 and 1918. Significant physical growth occurred during the mid twentieth century, particularly from the 1950s through the 1970s, as enrollment increased and the institution transitioned from a college to a university. Subsequent decades included continued development of academic, residential, and student facilities.

The Physical Plant was established as a service organization to support the university’s operations by maintaining buildings, grounds, and infrastructure. Funded through state appropriations and service charges, the unit provided building maintenance, custodial services, utilities operation, mail delivery, moving services, security, waste disposal, key and lock management, pest control, facilities engineering, event setup, and liaison services for construction and remodeling projects. In 2008, the Physical Plant was renamed Facilities and Services, continuing responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and development of the university’s physical environment.

Field of Activity: Facility management