The Early History of Plemmons Student Union
This is a guest post by Mandi Burnison, a rare books and archives reference student assistant in Special Collections. Mandi is a junior, majoring in English Secondary Education.
Plemmons Student Union Constructed in 1967
Plemmons Student Union (PSU), originally known as “the College Center,” was originally constructed in 1967. The PSU’s purpose was for students to have a place on campus where they could socialize outside of the classroom. As a building that was built for the students, they had an active voice in the building’s design. Prior to the building’s construction, students completed a questionnaire on what they wanted to see in the Plemmons Student Center, as it was known upon opening. In order to obtain the ideal blueprint for the Plemmons Student Center, college student affairs officials, fiscal officers, and students themselves were engaged in an 18-month planning period.
E.L. Rankin, Jr., the Director for the State Department of Administration, gave an address at the dedication of the W.H. Plemmons College Center on May 28, 1967 and stated the “Student Center will be a multi-purpose building serving the needs and convenience of everyone on this campus” (1). At the time, the Plemmons Student Center was a necessary addition to the university’s campus. Located in the center of campus between the bookstore and Lillie Shull Dougherty Hall (the new economics building at the time), the student union was the first building on campus to be fully air conditioned. It was easily accessible from any point on campus. Construction for this two-story building began on May 1, 1966 and was completed the following year. When the building first opened, it was 49,672 square feet in size. It included a stone patio that surrounded over half of the building at the first floor level. The second level of the building was bordered by an outdoor balcony terrace with seating.
In an announcement of plans for the Plemmons Student Center, released on March 18, 1965, it was stated that “the long-needed facility will serve as a center for various indoor activities of the 3500 students on the mountain campus. The two-story structure will house a post office, lounges, offices and meeting rooms, snack bars and recreation areas” (2). The Plemmons Student Center’s main purpose was for the students to have a place to spend their free time.
Some of the amenities inside the new student union included eight bowling lanes, ten billiard tables, a ping pong area, a music listening area, a crafts area, and a game area. Along with those recreation areas were contact tables for students to advertise clubs and events, study spaces, faculty lounge, and meeting rooms. The second floor of the building had a meeting room that could seat up to 250 people along with a catering kitchen. If students were hungry while they were in the PSU, they could go over to the snack counter where they would receive soda fountain-type counter service. When socializing with their peers and colleagues, students were able to check out items including “table cloths, sleds, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, punch bowls, punch cups, plates, serving trays, silver, chess, bridge cards, rook cards, monopoly, dominos, Yatzee, skittles, gravitations, foosball, labyrinth, coffee urns, and air hockey” (3). The students were able to create posters in a poster shop provided that they bring their own materials to create the posters. For students who commuted, they were able to rent commuter lockers where they could store their items for the day while they were in classes.
The union also had a radio system that would play music throughout the building along with a public address system. Groups and organizations that were located in the student union included Student Government Association, The Appalachian student newspaper, The Rhododendron Student Yearbook, and the Debate Union.
The Plemmons Student Center’s main purpose was to serve as “the university’s living room” (3). When it first opened, it was open 16 hours of the day. Students would be able to spend time in the union without having to worry about their classes. They were able to study or socialize with friends. In the W.H. Plemmons Student Union Policies and Procedures it states the purpose of the student union to provide “for the services, conveniences, and amenities the members of the college family need in their daily life on the campus and for getting to know and understand one another through informal association outside the classroom.” It also states the student union “as the center of college community life, it serves as a laboratory of citizenship, training students in social responsibility and for leadership in a democratic society” (3).
The Plemmons Student Center was “named in honor of President Plemmons for his contributions during his twelve-year presidency” at the student center’s dedication on May 28, 1967 (4).
Notes
1 “Address by E.L. Rankin, Jr.” May 28, 1967. “Buildings — Plemmons Student Union” Vertical File, University Archives and Records, Special Collections, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
2 “Appalachian Announces Plans for Modern Student Center.” Press Release, March 18, 1965. “Buildings — Plemmons Student Union” Vertical File, University Archives and Records, Special Collections, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
3 “W.H. Plemmons Student Union, Policies and Procedures.” Office of the President, William H. Plemmons Records, UA 5000, Box 39, Folder 5. Special Collections, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
4 “College Dedicates Center to Dr. Plemmons May 28.” The Appalachian Student Newspaper. May 25, 1967. Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
