History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 102

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recreational programs and social activities such as dancing classes, radio
listening parties, and freshman orientation.
In 1951, the campus bookstore moved out and the Florida Union underwent
a number of changes that included the addition of a photographic darkroom,
music listening rooms, a browsing library, and an elevator. In addition, the first
Student Organization Office was established to provide desks, filing cabinets,
telephones, and typewriters for approved student organizations.
A N e w U n i o n B u i l d i n g : J . W ay n e R e i t z U n i o n 1 9 6 7
As enrollment at UF continued to grow, the Florida Union was unable to adequately
meet the growing needs of the campus community, which had exceeded 10,000
students. The Union’s meeting, dining, and recreational facilities were grossly
inadequate. In 1951, a subcommittee of the Board of Managers was formed
to explore the feasibility of a new Union building. As a result of this study, the
student body voted to impose a fee of $1.50 per semester for a new Union
building. In 1952, a New Union Planning Committee was formed.
In 1958, more than 150 student organizations passed resolutions in support of
the new Union. In 1959, Student Government unanimously passed an additional
$10 per semester fee to support the new building pr oject. In 1962, $5 million
was allocated from the Florida Development Commission (which was funded by
student fees from Florida universities) to proceed with the construction of the
new Union facility. Groundbreaking for the building occurred on May 9, 1964.
The new 267,070 square feet facility, built at a cost of $5.7 million, was opened
on May 1, 1967, to serve a student population of 19,000. On June 4, 1967, the
facility was named the J. Wayne Reitz Union in honor of Dr. J. Wayne Reitz, UF
President from 1955 to 1967. The Florida Union building was renamed Dauer Hall
and serves today as an academic facility.
The new Reitz Union offered multiple meeting rooms, a ballroom, student
organization offices, a game room with bowling and billiards, expanded dining
facilities, an arts and crafts center, a music listening room, and a browsing
library. The original Reitz Union facility included the 460-seat Constans Theater;
however, as use of the theater was mostly for programs coordinated by the
Department of Speech (later renamed the Department of Theatre and Dance)
and the Florida Players, it was later designated an Education and General
building, and is no longer operated by the Reitz Union. Program activities
were expanded to emphasize cultural enrichment and offered music, drama,
H i s t o r y o f t h e UF D S A