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Show cIWe Union building,THERE is nothing more interesting than the inception of the idea of a Union Building on our campus. In 1925 Ellis Barker, a former Student Body President and then alumni executive secretary, attempted to gather historical data of the Union Building idea. His findings are more than interesting. He knew, of course, that it was in the administration of Junior Rich that a drive for funds was actually started. However, in his investigation he found that one year previsouly there was some inception of the idea. He wrote to Alphonse Thorum and asked him who first conceived of the idea for Utah. Dr. Thorum replied that Golda Hyde, vice-president in '20 and '21, had just instigated the plan for an Associated Students Building on this campus. Golda Hyde claimed credit for its inception, as also did Junior Rich. The controversy is interesting, but of little importance, for the plant is now here and it is here to stay. To Junior Rich, however, goes the credit for starting the initial drive for funds. In the spring of 1922 a one-dollar drive was begun on the campus and some $1100 was raised as a nucleus for the fund. The same year an amendment to the student constitution was adopted which provided for a fee of $2.50 per student per year. This added about $5,000 per year to the fund. During theschool year 1923-24 the campaign was launched on a more extensive scale.The next drive was conducted among students, faculty members and University employees on the campus in the spring of 1924, and subscriptions obtained brought the total fund to the amount of $80,000. In the following school year, 1924-1925, a whirlwind campaign of two week's duration was conducted on the campus and the total pledges increased to $140,000. Student subscriptions were made with a minimum of $50 payable over a five year period. In 1925-26, another campaign brought the total to $160,000.In 1926-27 absolutely nothing was done, and the work of hundreds of students came to an abrupt stop. The attention of student and faculty administrations turned to the stadium. It was impossible to promote more than one project at one time, and the time was ripe for the construction of a new playground.It was the problem of the 1927-28 student body officers to revive the feeling for the continuation of the Union Building plans. Due to an active alumni organization and Union Building Drive committee, both of which are headed by Mr. Richard A. Hart, the construction of the building was actually assured.UNION BUILDING COMMITTEEâ€"FRANK JONAS, JOSEPH JEPPSON, ROLAND POLLOCK. ALLAN BROCKBANK, MARION COWANS, FRANK O'BRIEN.Page 322 |