Ohio Union
| Ohio Union | |
|---|---|
The newly built Ohio Union
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| Alternative names | The Union |
| General information | |
| Type | Student activity center with ballroom and theater |
| Architectural style | Postmodern |
| Location | Ohio State University |
| Town or city | Columbus, Ohio |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39°59′54″N 83°00′28″W / 39.998361°N 83.00776°WCoordinates: 39°59′54″N 83°00′28″W / 39.998361°N 83.00776°W |
| Completed | 2010 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Website | |
| ohiounion |
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The Ohio Union serves as a student activity center for students of The Ohio State University. When the Union was established in 1910, it was the first student union at a public university. The Ohio Union provides facilities for student activities, organizations/events, and campus and community interaction. Many student services and programs are housed in the union, along with dining and recreational facilities. It also serves as the home base for the D-Tix program, which provides discounted tickets to students. On March 29, 2010, the current Ohio Union was erected.
Ohio Union was originally located in Enarson Hall (now called Hale Hall) when it opened in 1910. The 77th Ohio General Assembly provided $75,000 for the construction of the Union. The Union remained at this location until 1951. It was officially named the "Ohio Union" on October 29, 1909.
The Union was initially only open to male students, but female students were allowed to use the Union once per week, on "Ladies' Day". As a result, maintenance fees were only charged to male students.
In 1913, Ohio State University hired Edward S. Drake as the manager of the union. He supported many student organizations including Phi Sigma Kappa and Romophos during his service. Drake managed the Union for 33 years and also managed another student union, which is now known as Drake Performance and Event Center.
In 1921, the second floor of the Union was used by the Ohio Stadium building committee.
During World War I, the Ohio Union was used as a mess hall and recreational center for quartered troops who lived on campus.
At the time, the Ohio Union only served as a student hall for male students enrolled at the University. Since few women attended the university in the early 1900s, a student union for women was deemed unnecessary. A small room in University Hall was reserved as the women's social center. It was nicknamed the "Gab Room" and maintained by the Ohio State Women's Council at the time. Women paid a 25 cent yearly membership fee to use the room. As more women started to attend the university, it became clear that the small room in University Hall was insufficient. The Women's Council came before the board of trustees and demanded money for the construction of a new union. The board of trustees denied the women the funds for a new union space and advised them to bring the matter to the University legislature. The Women's Council then launched a campaign to get support of the construction of a new union for the women. Their hard work paid off, and $150,000 was given for the construction of a new women's building. However, construction was delayed because there was a University ban on any type of building construction until after the end of the First World War. After the war was over, another $90,000 was allocated for the construction of the building. Even the $240,000 total was insufficient. It was then decided that the building would be built in two different phases, the first ending in 1919. The first phases included a gym and a recreational center. The second phase, was completed in 1927 and included an indoor swimming pool, lounges, cafeteria and a kitchen for the women. The women's new building was named Pomerene Hall and is now used today for the History of Arts building, disability services and a campus dining area, Mirror Lake Creamery & Grill.
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