Touring the tunnels was a favorite night / weekend pastime . Wandering in the power plant at night was fascinating , but the Central University Library ( now Geisel Library ) was magical in 1969 – 1970 . Until the building was nearly finished and they started stocking the Library , we could gain access to the building through the tunnels and explore throughout the building . With no windows in place , the 360-degree views were amazing , especially near the edges of the upper floors . We always tried not to disturb anything during our explorations , so the administration wouldn ’ t be motivated to increase security measures in the tunnels . — Kim Crosser ’ 72
Like many others , I had heard the myth of the underground tunnels . I lived on campus for two years in the Third College ( now Marshall ) apartments . I think it was late spring of 1984 ( maybe 1985 ), several of us were roaming the campus late at night and came upon a manhole cover near Central ( now Geisel ) Library . We climbed down into the tunnels and wandered around without any plan or idea of where we were but enjoying the exploration of forbidden space . We must have triggered an alarm , because about 20 minutes in we heard security behind us . We all ran in opposite directions . I came out near the medical school campus and I recall another person came out near the Muir Hump . Only one in our party ( not offering his name ) was caught and made to report to the Third College administration . His punishment was a several-hour stint setting up chairs for the Third College graduation several weeks later . — Teri Fenner ’ 86
I really enjoyed the article “ Notes from Underground ” and the photo essay by Josh and Amber online . In 1985 , when someone I knew brought me to the tunnels , we didn ’ t usually have cameras so all I remember of the tunnel ( I think it was around the Math building near Muir ) is a colorful mural of Flight 182 that crashed in North Park in 1978 . I had never heard about the tragedy before but the story and emotion was covered in this mural . I am sure that mural is long gone by now . — Cinta Burgos ’ 90
I never ventured very far into the tunnels , but there were fairly simple short-cuts to be had in the Revelle area , and we routinely used those . There was poetic and philosophical graffiti , but the thing I liked best was the charming green dragon that someone had painted in one of the tunnels . This dragon spoke German ( which I didn ’ t , since my Revelle language requirement was met via French ), but it seemed to be saying something about love . Personally , I ’ d love to hear more about that dragon if anyone knows more . ( 1978 – 1982 ). — Heather Campbell ’ 82
that they shouldn ’ t really be any more dangerous than we made them . Of course , wandering completely new territory , a little bit tense and scared ( not to mention young and ignorant ), we had quite an adventure . We went into the tunnels many times , always trying to pop out somewhere new . Looking back on our adventures , I am actually proud of the fact that we were so well-behaved in there . Every once in a while we would encounter a worker , but no one ever seemed to be that worried about us being there . As strange as it may seem , I found the adventures to be a very educational experience .
Later , my son went to UCSD ( 2015 ). I was very sorry to hear that the new school policy was to expel students caught in the tunnels . I kind of wish he could have had the same adventure . — Wayne Cottle ’ 81
Thanks for the Craft Center article . It reminded me of the hours spent in the original Craft Center as a sanctuary from my studies . It was where I could relax and release the pressures of my Revelle studies . I am sure that the Craft Center has helped others “ center themselves ,” as it was a wonderful mental life-saver for me . I still have some pottery ( some of it is actually not too bad !) from those days , which brings me a smile . Thanks again for the article and the memories . — John Yager ’ 75
Our small band of merry explorers discovered an open door behind the Revelle cafeteria . “ I wonder where that goes ?” I wonder seemed to start quite a few of our adventures back then . So , like good explorers , we walked down and under the cafeteria . At the time we really had no idea that there were tunnels under UCSD . It made perfect sense that the tunnels were there and
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