University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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STUDENT UNION TOWER - 3 ..

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Arizonafs New Student Union Memorial Building if f i V2 .f f. K. V k 5. -,':i 'EX ee '

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l ' fzdcle faq The USS Arizona memorial bell tolled through the late afternoon stillness of the campus. The eight-foot bronze plaque of the names of the University's war dead in the World wars was unveiled. It was the formal dedication of the Student Union Memorial Building on Novem- ber 17, 1951-the dedication of a building that was to become an important part of student life. But the Union does more than fill a physical need. The ringing on special holidays and after athletic victories of the tower bell taken from the ship sunk at Pearl Harbor is a constant reminder that it is symbolic of sacri- fices made not only for our University but for every college in the United States. It belongs to students, it is students. For nearly twenty years, the idea of a Student Union Memorial Building has been in the hands of a committee comprised of alumni, faculty and students. The origmal estimate for the Union was 3365.500 but as the years passed the figure was raised until the final cost was over 81,000,000 Of that figure, 35300,000 came from pledges and gifts. S300,000 was appropriated to the University by the State Legislature and the issuance of S-100,000 in bonds was authorized by the Board of Regents. Headed by VV. Boy NVayland of Phoenix, an extensive campaign for funds was launched on December 15, 1945. Large con- tributions came from people who wanted to dedicate individual rooms. By October 19-16, forty per cent of the goal had been reached. With the appropriation and bond issue in 1949, the goal was reached. The Student Union is designed to meet all the needs of the student body. Pride of the building is the two ballrooms, which are connected to each other by a folding partition. The main balh'oom has a stage with a grand piano and a covered terrace for out- side dancing. A new type of floor called a floating floor makes for easier dancing. Indirect lighting and automatic heating, cooling, and ventilation add to the luxury of the ballroom. The Union also contains modern meeting rooms, a post office with eight hundred and eighty-two boxes, a photography studio, a browsing li- brary, student offices, comfortable music listen- ing rooms, a faculty dining room, and a student cafeteria. The basement is a popular place for between-classes entertainment where there are billiard and ping-pong tables. The 'fCatsbah,' is the name of the fountain where students congregate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Many new activities have been initiated with the Union. Varsity nights offer jazz sessions and talent nightsg and the forum offers famous speakers and lecturers. After-game dances call the stu- dents to the Union on the weekends, and recre- ational tournaments attract crowds during the week. The Student Union is a building of beauty. friendliness and entertainment. From the shining ornamental bronze to the marble floors, from the solemn dedication plaque to the friendly laughter in the rooms, the Union cries its merits. Music fills every corner of the building, welcoming all and insisting that they stay or return soon. Stub Ashcraft, Student Union director, and Fred Stofft, Alumni presi- Ted Jardine, president of the Student Union Board Stub dent unveil the memorial plaque at the formal dedication ceremony. Ashcraft, and Dan Reidy took part in the ringing of the memorial bell on November 17.