University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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1954 Big Bertha finds new home at UT tf|A black, originally admitted to The University, is turned away because . . . Our admission policy is as follows: We will admit Negroes for work in graduate and professional fields provided the work is not offered at one or both of the state-supported Negro universities. If the work is offered at one or both of the Negro in- stitutions, it is not our policy to compete with them for Negro students. Sept. 15, 1954 M Duke Washington is the first black football player to play in Memorial Stadium. A member of the Washington Cougars football team, he receives a standing ovation when he leaves the field. - Oct. 3, 1954 lit Two men are arrested and charged with the illegal possession and sale of narcotics. It is suspected by the police that the men are sell- ing marijuana to college students. Dec. 1, 1954 1111 Blanton, Moore-Hill and Simkins Dormitories as well as the Varsity Cafeteria are completed. 7955 d! Gov. Shivers suggests to the Legislature that the tuition fee be rais- ed to $50. Jan. 13, 7955 |J|The Regents vote to adopt a policy to advise black students of the housing facilities available to them; those included are San Jacinto Dormitories D and F, the McGinnis house (men) and the residence at 2512 Whitis Avenue (women). All were graduate dormitories. Jan. 28, 1955 Athletic Council budgets $200,000 to put lights in Memorial Stadium. March 8, 1955 By a unanimous 9-0 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court holds that the separate but equal principle in schools is unconstitutional. - May, 1955 The Regents adopt a resolution admitting qualified students to the Graduate School without regard to race or national origin. July 8, 1955 III In an attempt to curb campus traffic problems, a ban on freshmen- owned automobiles is enacted. Sept. 1, 1955 D. Harold Byrd presents the drum, Big Bertha to The University at the UT-Tulane Football game. UT is victorious by a score of 35-2. Sept. 24, 1955 Stephen Pinckney, in 1911, spearheaded the drive to provide a live mascot for The University. Acquired in 1957, Bevo VII, the most beloved Bevo, reigned for eight years. 68 The University ' s First Century

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Auction increases PUP to $200 million $ tt 1111 1954 I Townes Hall and Tarlton Library are dedicated. Hon. Herbert Brownwell Jr. delivers the address. Dec. 5, 1953 A public auction of oil and gas leases on 50,358,500 acres of University land adds $10,372,500 to the University ' s Permanent Fund, boosting it to more than $200 million. Dec. 13, 1953 Dr. Logan Wilson becomes president and acting chancellor of The University. Jan. 1, 1954 The Regents authorize The University to build three new dor- mitory structures and a cafeteria on campus at a cost of $3.4 million. January, 1954 111 The Regents approve a recommendation that the Board of Regents be increased from nine to 12 members. Jan. 23, 1954 25th annual Round-Up is celebrated. April 2, 1954 Students reflect holiday season festivities on campus 1 Even into the 1950s, some wooden buildings continued to survive on campus. This photograph of the old art buildings is a world away from today ' s modern facilities. The University ' s First Century 67

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:: ;i - .: :, Cheerleaders introduce ' Hook ' em Horns ' sign 1956 The U.S. Supreme Court declares void Section 7 of Article VII of the Texas State Constitution and Article 2900 of the Texas Statutes, both of which provided for segregation. October, Dr. William J. Battle, who served The University for 62 years as dean of the College of Arts, dean of the faculty and acting presi- dent from 1914-1916, passes away in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Oct. 9, Big Bertha was presented to the band in 1955 by Col. D. Harold Byrd. A A |1| The Regents rule that the editorial page of The Daily Texan during the 1955-56 year violated policies of the Regents and policies set forth in the Official Handbook of Texas Student Publications. The Board requests the president to take steps immediately to have the Board of Directors of TSP take firm and positive action to assure future compliance with these policies. Feb. 3, 1956 UT Cheerleaders formally introduce the Hook ' em Horns signal at a Friday night pep rally prior to the TCU football game. Nov. 11, 1955 Three maces, one for the Senior Marshal (fruit of wisdom), and two for the deputy marshals (torches of enlightenment) are used for the first time in the Commencement exercises. June 2, 1956 On January 23, 1959, one of the campus ' oldest landmarks went up in a blaze. The Drama Building, originally the Woman ' s Building, was the first women ' s dormitory on campus. The University ' s First Century 69