1970-1979

Unless otherwise noted, the date indicates when the building opened. Follow the link to learn more about the history of a building or architect.

1970

  • 13th Avenue through UO is closed to regular traffic.
  • Autzen Footbridge.
  • Campus Planning. UO interviewed prospective consultants to facilitate a new campus planning initiative from which 'The Oregon Experiment' emerged.
  • Computing Center. Completed in 1967, the Center was expanded in 1970.
  • PLC is bombed; and Johnson Hall is overtaken by students, with 61 later arrested. Campus buildings were subject to bombings and arson in reaction to the escalating Vietnam War, the draft, and the Kent State killings.
  • The Physical Education (later named Esslinger Hall). Building partially burns, and is rebuilt.
  • Law Center (now McKenzie Hall). Architect: Wilmsen, Endicott, and Unthank.

1971

1972

  • Villard Hall and University Hall are added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register, authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify evaluate, and protect historic structures. The National Park Service administers the Register.

1973

  • Campus Planning: "Planners Adopt Oregon Experiment," Oregon Daily Emerald 25 Oct. 1973: 1.
  • Erb Memorial Union west addition. Architect: Coburn and Sheldon, Lutes and Amundsen.
  • Huestis Hall. Architect: Skidmore Owings Merrill.

1974

1975

  • Commonwealth Hall is renamed James H. Gilbert Hall for economics professor and liberal arts dean from 1925-47.
  • The Physical Education Building is named Arthur A. Esslinger Hall, for the dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, Parks, and Recreation from 1953-73.
  • Hayward Field West Grandstand.
  • Robert Clark ends tenure as UO president.
  • William Beaty Boyd becomes UO's 12th president.
  • Oregon's Percent for Art Program is established, mandating art expenditures for certain public works.
  • Campus Planning: Christopher Alexander's The Oregon Experiment (Oxford Univ. Pr., 1975) is published.
  • Kenneth Knapp's Trees of the Oregon Campus, University of Oregon at Eugene is published.
  • UO acquires Campus Inn, renamed it University Inn. In 2001, the building was renamed Barnhart Hall.
  • Sundial is rehabilitated and relocated to plaza to west of Huestis Hall.
  • Track star Steve Prefontaine dies on May 30.

1977

  • Animal House is filmed on campus in the fall.

1978

  • Music Building addition and renovation. Architect: BOOR/A (Broome Oringdulph, O'Toole, Rudolf and Associates)