1929 Utonian

Union Building

On February 1st the plans were selected on a contest basis provided by the rules of the American Architects Association. Eleven architectural firms submitted drawings in the contest. Ashton and Evans of Salt Lake City were announced the winners. The jury of award consisted of Thomas R. Kimball, a nationally recognized architect acted as the expert on the jury. Others on the jury included Dr. George Thomas, President of the University, Richard A. Hart, President of the Alumni Association, Mr. Ellis W. Barker, and Mrs. Edith Johnson Linford. The winning plans were displayed at the Hotel Utah and the University of Utah.Immediately following the selection of the plans, a drive for funds was conducted among the students on the campus. A notable feature of this drive which was the fourth to be conducted on the campus was the change made in the arrangement of the payment of the note. Instead of the old plan of signing a minimum fifty dollar note, payable in five yearly installments, the students were requested to pledge themselves to pay $3.00 a quarter as long as they attended the University. This pledge was collected by the Secretary of the University at the time of registration. 1500 pledges were obtained and when full payment has been made it is expected that $20,000 will have been realized through this means. This plan was found to be an improvement over the old plan because it provided a definite means of collection.On April 27th, the students voted to place a petition before the Board of Regents to en-force the collection of a Union Building fee of $3.00 from every student enrolled in the University. This petition is now pending.On May 10th, the Union Building Drive Committee passed a resolution to incorporate under the laws of the state of Utah. Nine board of directors were elected, namely: Dr. George Thomas, Richard A. Hart, Grant Iver-son, James Ingebretsen, Mrs. Lund, Mrs. Elbert D. Thomas, Charles R. Mabey, Oscar Carlson, and Thomas Beal.It was announced at this time that ground would be broken on June 5th as an initial step in the construction of the building.The following were apointed to act as a committee to provide a program for the ceremonial feature of the event: Frank Jonas, chairman; Theron Parmelee, and Douglas O. Wood.It is a significant fact that the Union Building project is at last a reality, and that construction has actually begun.The tentative plans that have been adopted provide for a building consisting of three parts, wherein the social, business and commercial needs of the campus groups and the individual students will be adequately met. The dominating feature of the exterior of the building will be its monumental and impressive appearance. Although the style of architecture will conform with that of the John R. Park Building, as the perspective view reveals, it will have an atmosphere of a club house.The plans for the interior arrangements are still in a formative state and must be understood as embodying present ideas.Page 323UNION BUILDING PERSPECTIVE