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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF CAMPUS HISTORY AS TOLD BY THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK.
MILLIONS of students have strolled Jayhawk Boulevard since the University's inception in 1865. Over the past 150 years, countless events have shaped the University that we know and cherish today.
History is an important part of who we are as the University community. We embrace the Jayhawk, a storied Kansas tradition that derives from the Civil War. The Jayhawk isn't just our mascot; being a Jayhawk is a way of life. Upon graduation, Jayhawk pride
Over the past 113 years, the University Daily Kansan has been there to cover it all, from the University's first homecoming in 1912 to President Barack Obama's visit in 2015. This section retells some of the historically significant events that have happened on Mount Oread since the Kansan's beginning.
Unfortunately, an entire novel consisting of Kansan
articles wouldn't even make a dent in the history of the University. I realize it's impossible to fit 150 years of history in 10 broadsheet pages. Determining what story has more cultural significance over another story is no simple task because everything that has happened
here is important.
Looking back on the 150 years of history at the University of Kansas, one thing is for sure: I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
UNION BURNS!
- AMIE JUST
@AMIE_JUST
KANSAN
STAFF
APRIL 21,1970
The Kansas Union was ravaged Monday night by a fire that caused extensive damage to 40,000 square feet in the south half of the building.
The fire, confined to the upper half of the building, apparently started near the Pine Room and spread immediately to the roof, which was completely destroyed in the older section of the building.
Bill Rowlands, information counter manager and night manager of the Union, discovered the Union fire.
the Union.
"The man in the Union said there was a definite explosion. It blew plaster off the ceiling and tore off the elevator door."
The intensity of the flames caved in the roof and leaped to the south addition of the building, caving in that section.
The fire was finally brought under control around 2 a.m. today after flames had gutted the top two floors of the Union's main section.
University of Kansas Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers, who is in Washington D.C. attending a conference of University presidents and administrators, said in a telephone
Sanders said he reached his conclusion after talking to firemen and policemen at the scene.
After an hour and a half of fighting the fire, flames of 20 to 30 feet shot off the roof and scorched the center tower of
"I heard something pop," he said. "It sounded like a light bulb exploding, and I ran upstairs. I think that everyone in the building noticed the smoke about the same time and evacuated the building."
FRED SANDERS
Lawrence Fire Chief
Firetrucks arrived 15 minutes after the fire was reported. Frank Burge, Union director, told firemen when they arrived the fire was confined to the center and western sections of the roof at that time.
Lawrence Fire Chief Fred Sanders said the fire started near an elevator on the third floor near the Pine Room.
"The man in the Union said there was a definite explosion," Sanders said. "It blew plaster off the ceiling and tore off the elevator door."
Later this morning Sanders said it could be possibly three days before the official cause of fire was known, but added, "In my opinion, it was set."
Chalmers said he was first informed of the fire in the Kansas Union at his hotel in Washington. He said University Executive Secretary Ray Nichols called him about 1 a.m. (EST) and at that time little information was available
statement early this morning, it now may become an obvious necessity to appeal to strengthen campus security to prevent further incidents from occurring at KU.
"It certainly seems," Chalmers said, "that the three attempts at arson on the KU campus on April 8 and the three actual fires in the community the last three weeks seems to suggest that it is a pyromaniac at work. I do think, however, that it is the work of one person or perhaps two or three people."
concerning the fire.
Chalmers said he does not plan to return to Lawrence any earlier than scheduled unless he gets a report that there is something he can do.
Burge said the building was adequately insured, but for all practical purposes the entire south half of the building is a total loss.
The Union, Burge said, will definitely be closed to all students until further notification from him.
An estimated 2,000 people viewed the blazing building while several more aided firemen in any way they could. Many attempted to clear the building of furniture, helped balance fire hoses, and provided coffee and doughnuts to the firefighters.
"The fire could have been a lot worse without student help." Sanders said.
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University Archives
University Archives
150 SIT-IN-STAND-OUT BY WESCOE'S OFFICE
KANSAN
STAFF
MARCH 8,1965
The group was led by Walter Bgoya, Tanganyika senior; George Unseld, Louisville, Ky.; senior; and Nate Sims, residence and standing unknown. The three men are the newly elected co-chairman of the CRC. The election was held last night.
A group of about 150 Civil Rights Council members and sympathizers staged a protest demonstration in Chancellor Clarke W. Wescoe's office today at 10:30 a.m.
The CRC members were protesting "the tacit approval of discrimination in campus housing."
The statement, which was mimeographed and distributed to CRC members at the meeting, said the demonstrators would "remain in his office until the chancellor has taken immediate action to include our demands in policies and regulations of the University.
After two and a half hours of discussion and debate in the corridor outside the chancellor's office the only statement that Chancellor Wescoe has made is that he will not issue an executive order as requested in the first demand of the Civil Rights Council and Interested
"UPON SUCH ACTION, a pamphlet should be published by the University and a statement sent to the UDK for immediate release," it read.
He also commented that the University Daily Kansan board will be meeting with the All Student Council to discuss the sixth demand.
At a meeting held by the council last night in the Union, Sims suggested that perhaps the whites in the group couldn't understand the situation because they hadn't been "sat" upon.
Students Protest.
He added no complaints concerning housing have been lodged in his office during the last two and a half years.
Sims' comment brought disorder among the group as members began talking to one another. Some white members suggested that their coworkers be a little less emotional and more rational about the matter.
MALE STUDENTS RAID WOMEN'S DORMS
KANSAN
STAFF
MAY 20,1952
"The girls who were unfortunate enough to have washed last night lost almost everything they had," a resident of Miller was quoted as saying.
The current seige of panty raids hit KU last night when an estimated 50 boys broke into Templin, Miller and Watkins halls. Mrs. Lela Whiteford, Templin housemother, said "a gang" ran around the house "stealing things" around midnight. Doors were broken and screens ripped when the raiders broke into Miller and Watkins halls.
Last night's raids brought to 26 the number of American seats of learning that have witnessed raids by male students bent on carrying off unmentionable trophies this year.
By far the wildest and the most destructive raids occurred at Columbia, a city of 32,000 and site of the University of Missouri and two girls' schools, Stephens and Christian colleges.
More than 2,000 men students from MU stormed the dormitories at Stephens. They battered their way into the buildings through broken screens and windows.
Squads of coeds, wielding mops and brooms and dousing
The party was diverted to school buildings and the boys smashed glass and broke several pieces of furniture.
the boys with buckets of water, failed to halt them. Once inside, the boys snatched armfuls of underthings just as police arrived and routed them.
At this point, acting Police Chief J. Lewis Parks declared the situation out of hand and beyond the ability of his 22-man police force to handle.
chanting "Go, Go, Go" and led by a trumpet blowing ringleader stormed 10 dormitories and sorority houses.
At 'Tuscaloosa, Ala., about 1,000 men of the University of Alabama raced up and down the campus bent on staging a panty raid. But University officials and police armed with nightsticks kept them from entering any girls' quarters.
No arrests or injuries were reported at the KU raid.
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"The girls who were unfortunate enough to have washed last night lost almost everything they had."
RESIDENT OF MILLER HALL
He called Missouri Gov. Forrest Smith who authorized the mobilization of the Columbia unit of the Missouri National guard.
But by the time the company of 56 guardsmen was mustered, the raiders had spent their energy, and most had returned to their books.
The largestraid in terms of numbers was at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where 5,000 male students
The coeds had to content themselves by tossing old socks, scraps of cloth and bottles to the stymied raiders. All underthings had previously been locked up in trunks in anticipation of a raid.
University resident Dr. John M. Gallalee appeared at New hall and shouted to the girls. "Don't worry, everything will be all right."
Dr. Gallalee was met by a bar rage of eggs and mud.
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