The University Dining Club

The University Dining Club was established in the year 1868, under the name of the University Boarding Club. To Mr. Russel of the executive committee belongs the honor of inaugurating the club house or boarding-club policy in the University. He introduced a resolution authorizing the committee to make some arrangements for the cheap boarding of students and rooms at a low rate, the same to be paid for by any funds available for that purpose. In President Read's report of 1868, we find a statement approving the action of the committee in purchasing the grounds and erecting the building for the accommodation of the students who wished to board themselves.
These buildings were three one-story frame cottages, situated on the west side of the campus about where Benton Hall stands today. The organization known as the University Boarding Club was composed of boys who roomed in these cottages. The club had nineteen members. A constitution was drawn up which was printed in the University catalogue of 1869-1870. The officers provided for were, president, secretary, treasurer, commissary and censor. The admittance fee was $4 and the

[photograph of Lathrop Hall]

weekly dues were $1.65. These payments constituted the entire expense of each member for the forty weeks of school.
In 1869 the membership of the club was raised to thirty-two members and the catalogue states that the health of the members of the club was above that of the average student of the University. The plan was attracting much attention throughout the State, as it furnished the full solution to the problem of securing board at the lowest rate in a satisfactory manner to the student. The club building as described in the Legislature visiting committee's report consisted of a large dining-hall with a cellar, storeroom, and cistern.
The club continued in this manner, the membership increasing a few each year until 1887, when the contract was let for Benton Hall, then known as Dormitory No. 1, to cost $16,800. The three cottages and the dining-hall had to be removed to give room for this new building. The new clubhouse which was completed in 1889, consisted of fifty-four rooms, a dining-room, and kitchen, affording accommodation for 100 students, the dining-room was
located in the basement. The expense including board, room and laundry,
amounted to $1.75 per week.
In 1891, Dormitory No. 2, the present home of the University Dining
Club, was completed. It furnished rooms for thirty-two students and boarded
125 men. The kitchen at that time was located on the third floor, in the
room now used as the dancing floor. It was not until 1904 that the kitchen was built adjoining the dining-room.
The club as it exists to-day is known as the University Dining Club. It is run jointly by the University and the students. It is under the supervision
of the dormitory board, appointed by the Board of Curators. This board appoints the general manager, who has charge of all the buying and general business. The club members elect a council of four students who regulate the price of board and the general behavior of the members of the club. Meals are served at stated hours, all persons eating at the same time.
Off the north end of the dining hall is a reading-room with a piano,
newspaper files and a number of periodicals. On the upper floor is a dance hall where the members dance each evening and where weekly dances are held.
There is a large kitchen equipped with six steel ranges and all latest cooking devices. The dishes are handled in the serving-room, where a large
dish-washing machine, and a machine for cleaning silver-ware are situated.
Among the members of the dining club are found leaders in all lines of student activities and the members stand above the average of the student
body. Here may be found real college spirit of the University. About
thirty-five students are employed as waiters and dish-washers. They do all the work in connection with the dining-room.
To visitors this is one of the most interesting sights, as the work is done
in a very efficient way and so as not to interfere in any way with the classes of the students employed.

[photograph of kitchen]