RIT College Alumni Union collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArc-0059

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The RIT College Alumni Union collection consists of documents related to the building and its construction. A large part of the collection is made-up of memorandums discussing a variety of issues such as building policies, hosted events, and facility operations. The collection also contains several planning documents such as notes and floor plans, written policies, and lists of building procedures and services.

In addition, the collection includes published items that highlight the building and its activities. For instance, there are several brochures on the structure and programs from the dedication ceremony. The collection also contains a small clippings file and a folder of concert fliers for programs hosted at the College Alumni Union. Additionally, there is a guest book used during the building's dedication ceremony and a scrapbook (1968-1969) commemorating the building's first years.

Dates

Creation: 1967-1985

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

When the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) relocated from the city of Rochester to the suburbs of Henrietta in 1968, the College Alumni Union was one of nine buildings initially constructed on the new campus. The idea for a "Union" had come out of the desire to build a facility that would serve the entire RIT community. Upon hearing that the campus would be relocated, the RIT Student Association immediately pledged $10,000 to support the construction of a student union. With the support of the students and school administrators, a New Campus College Union Planning Committee was formed.

The building, which was designed by the architecture firm Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo & Associations, cost over $3.5 million to construct. The school chose to name the structure the "College Alumni Union" to reflect its availability to the entire RIT community, while also representing the substantial financial support for the building provided by RIT alumni. The final design included eight bowling alleys, seven billiards tables, assorted card and game tables, a barber shop with four chairs, a cafeteria and formal dining area, and a bookstore, as well as lounges, conference rooms, and a large auditorium. Additionally, the building housed the offices of the Alumni Association, placement department, school chaplain, WITR (radio station), yearbook staff, and student government. Fittingly, the College Alumni Union was described as the "living room of the Institute," in a promotional brochure on the facility.

The College Alumni Union remains a central part of RIT's campus. Now named the Student Alumni Union, the building provides access to a wide-range of student services and provides a space for students to interact with one another and the greater RIT community.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (1 document box, 1 flat box containing scrapbook)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Materials related to the construction of the College Alumni Union on the Henrietta campus, as well as its use and activities. The facility was built as part of the Rochester Institute of Technology's new campus in 1968 and is now known as the Student Alumni Union. The collection includes publications such as brochures, correspondence, planning documents, printed policies, concert fliers, and clippings. There is also a dedication ceremony guest book and a scrapbook in the collection.

Arrangement

Materials in the collection are spread between four folders. The correspondence is toward the front of the collection and arranged chronologically. This is followed by the planning documents and building policies and procedures. Publications are at the end of the collection, with clippings in a separate folder. Although the guest book is housed in the document box, the scrapbook is in a separate oversize folder.