Since the beginning
of Fort Hays State University in 1902, student dining
and social functions have taken place in many different
facilities as the institution developed over many
decades. Shortly after the school moved to its present
location in 1904, it became apparent that a recreation
space was needed for the student population. In 1905
the gymnasium building (Martin Allen Hall) was constructed
to serve that purpose. With the completion of Sheridan
Coliseum in 1917, the gymnasium building then became
known as the Women’s building and Social Hall
which served as a meeting place for many social activities
until 1958.
Dining facilities for students were first provided in 1909 within the old
Infirmary Building which had been relocated to campus from old Fort Hays.
In 1912, the new Agricultural High School Building (the first Rarick
Hall) also provided dining facilities. This marked the first state educational
institution to proved dining facilities in one of its buildings. As dining
needs continued to grow, it was determined a new dining facility was
required. To serve that need, Cody Commons was constructed in 1923 in
the location of the present day Memorial Union kitchen/dining area. By
World War II, there was a growing interest in building a Student Union
on campus. To that end, students were assessed a $5/semester Student
Union fee, beginning in 1945. Almost 10 years later, funding was well
short of the required construction budget. In order to make the project
a reality, campus leaders raised private funds in the amount of $150,000.
Finally in 1957, groundbreaking ceremonies were held and the building was
officially dedicated during homecoming activities of 1958. The Union was
to serve as a memorial to those students who had lost their lives in World
War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict. This addition to Cody Commons
provided a lounge, snack bar, game room, card room, ballroom, activities
room and club rooms.
Rapid growth of student numbers in the next decade brought about the need
for even larger facilities, which could provide the amenities common
to modern Student Unions. In response to this need, the Memorial Union
Annex was completed in 1970. This project replaced the aging Cody Commons
facility, enlarging the Memorial Union to its present size of 96,769
gross square feet. The new annex provided a TV room, bowling alley, recreation
area, lounges, kitchen/dining area, snack bar, bookstore, ballroom and
offices.
Since 1970, many small remodeling projects have taken place within the
Union, as programmatic needs evolved. Notable projects would include
the 1983 addition of a Student Health Center located in the basement
level. In 1992 the cafeteria, dining area, and Grab-N-Go areas were extensively
remodeled at a cost of $250,000. Remodeling and maintenance/repair projects
from 1977-2001 have totaled $840,000+. Shortly after the 1969 bonds were
retired in 1994, discussions of a proposed Union renovation began. Over
the last eight years a variety of concepts have been studied for their
viability. Finally, in December of 2003, the student body passed a $6.00/credit
hour fee increase to fund the renovation project.
