Why Are We Here, Part Two

I am back! The blog took a brief hiatus while we were closing down buildings for the summer. But, never fear…here is the second installment of Residence Hall history, this time with a focus on the facilities at the University of Florida.

Note: I have heavily relied on A History of University of Florida Residence Facilities, 2nd Edition by Sharon Blansett for this section.

The University of Florida has had housing facilities for over 100 years. The first building, Buckman Hall (Murphree Area), opened in 1906 and was named for Henry H. Buckman, a member of the Florida legislature. Mr. Buckman was also the author of the Buckman Act which consolidated all of the institutions of higher education in the state of Florida into three state Universities: The University of Florida (men), Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) and Florida A&M University.

Thomas Hall (Murphree Area) also opened in 1906, and is named after Major William Reuben Thomas, the mayor of Gainesville who helped donate land to UF. Both Thomas and Buckman Halls were designed to be residence facilities, but housed the entire University operation for several years. In addition to student rooms, these buildings also included classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, a library, dining room, gym, a kitchen, and many other things. When it opened, students paid $2.50/month in rent. Both Thomas and Buckman Halls have undergone extensive renovations since they were opened, but remain non air-conditioned facilities. Both facilities now house students of both genders.

Sledd Hall (Murphree Area) opened in 1929 and is named after Andrew Sledd, the first president of UF. It was called “New Dormitory” for nearly ten years before being dedicated in 1939. Dean of Students Benjamin Tolbert created a staffing system for the buildings. Each section had a staff member called a “monitor;” the president of the student body was “head monitor.” Neither position was paid. Fletcher Hall and Murphree Hall (Murphree Area) were also opened and dedicated in 1939. The linking of Fletcher, Sledd & Thomas Halls forms the shape of “UF,” easily visible from the air. Although all these buildings were designed to house single male students, after WWII, Murphree Hall also housed married couples and the first-ever (at UF) floor of female students. Sledd, Fletcher, and Murphree Halls have all been renovated, have air-conditioning, and are now co-ed.

Mallory Hall, Reid Hall & Yulee Hall (Yulee Area) all opened in 1950 to house the new female students now being admitted to the University of Florida. Interestingly, the original location for these buildings was deemed “unsuitable” because the female students would have to walk a mile past the athletic fields and men’s residence halls to get to the library and classroom buildings. The current location of these buildings was the second choice. The construction of these three buildings marked a change in architectural style, from the collegiate gothic style of the Murphree Area to a more modern style of building. All buildings have been renovated and now have air conditioning. Mallory Hall was the last building on campus to go co-ed, which it did in 2004.

Tolbert Hall, Weaver Hall, Riker Hall and North Hall (Tolbert Area) were also opened in 1950. Tolbert Hall was named after Benjamin Tolbert, the first UF Dean of Students. All halls were originally designed to accommodate male students. All are now air-conditioned and are co-ed by floor.

Broward Hall (Broward Area) opened in 1954 and was named for Annie Douglass Broward, the wife of Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward of Florida. It was built to house women but went co-ed in 1972. Throughout the 1970s, a low-power, student-run radio station was located in the basement of Broward Hall. The broadcast signal was run through the building’s electrical system so only the residents of the hall could hear it (and no license was needed). Students were able to volunteer for these shifts and got experience broadcasting over the air. The Broward Basement also used to house a dining facility. Broward has been renovated to include air conditioning.

Rawlings Hall (Broward Area) is dedicated to the memory of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the Florida author who wrote about the Florida backwoods country in her novels. At her death, she left her estate, library and manuscripts to the university. Originally, each section of Rawlings Hall was also named after prominent Florida women, but these designations are no longer used. Although Rawlings was designed to house women, it is now co-ed and was converted to an air-conditioned facility in 1993.

Corry Village (Graduate & Family Housing) opened in 1959 to house veterans and their families after WWII. It currently houses married students, students with children, and graduate students.

Graham Hall (Graham Area), East Hall (Tolbert Area), Simpson Hall (Graham Area), Trusler Hall (Graham Area), and Jennings Hall (Jennings Area) all opened in 1961 to house the growing number of students attending the University of Florida. Graham Hall, East Hall, Trusler Hall, and Simpson Hall were all built to house men, while Jennings was built to house women. Simpson Hall was the first residence facility to be permanently designated co-ed, although all five buildings are now co-ed. East Hall also housed the first Honor Hall. Jennings Hall was described as being “contemporary, with window walls which overlook a wooded landscape…palms and foliage provide a dramatic setting.” All five buildings are now air-conditioned.

Diamond Village (Graduate & Family Housing) opened in 1965 and has housed married students, students with families, and graduate students since it opened.

Beaty Towers (Beaty Area) is named for Robert Calder Beaty, UF’s first Dean of Student Personnel. It opened in 1967 as the “Twin Towers,” Tower A and Tower B (now East Tower and West Tower). Originally, Tower A accommodated women while Tower B housed men. Only upper division and graduate students were assigned to the facility until 1982, when it became available to all students. Beaty Towers is an architectural anomaly, not only at UF but in Gainesville. It was considered very innovative when constructed because of its suite-style design. It was the first residence facility at UF to have central air conditioning. Beaty Towers now consists of 200 apartments, each housing four students.

Maguire Village (Graduate & Family Housing) opened in 1972 and houses married students, students with families and graduate students. University Village South, aka UVS and Tanglewood Village, opened in 1973 for the same purpose.

Keys Residential Complex (Keys Area) opened in 1991 but has yet to be dedicated to an individual. In keeping with tradition, functional or other descriptive names are given to buildings until they are dedicated. Keys has had four different names: 1991 Residence Facility, New Residence Facility, Apartment Residence Facility, and its current name. Each house or building is named after a different Florida island (Key Largo, Long Key, etc). Keys was built on the former site of Flavet Village, which housed veterans and their families. The innovative apartment-style design of Keys has been duplicated at other universities, and even here at UF. The facility was designed with upper-division students in mind, providing a shared kitchen, shared bathroom and private bedroom for each student in a four-person apartment. All apartments have central air. The facility is co-ed by apartment.

Springs Residential Complex (Springs Area) opened in 1995 and is still awaiting dedication. It was built to help with the reassignment of athletes to residence facilities when Yon Hall was closed. Currently, Springs houses up to 25% athletes. The rooms are suite-style with shared bath, have central air, and are co-ed by suite.

Lakeside Residential Complex (Lakeside Area) opened in 2000 and is still awaiting dedication. Modeled after the Keys, each apartment at Lakeside has four private bedrooms, a living room, two baths and a kitchen. All are centrally air-conditioned and the facility is co-ed by apartment.

Honors Residential College at Hume Hall (Hume Area) replaced the original Hume Hall and opened in 2002. The complex includes two residential buildings, a commons building, classrooms, faculty offices, space for study, an activity room, and more. The suite-style rooms with baths surround a common lounge and kitchen. Students are invited to live in Honors Housing through acceptance to the UF Honors program. Hume is air-conditioned and co-ed.

Wow! All told, UF houses 7555 students in single-student housing and has 980 apartments for graduate students and students with families. Altogether, we are one of the largest housing operations in the United States. Stay tuned, as we will next embark on a virtual tour of Beaty Towers and Jennings Hall!