Location: 1451 Onyx St., Eugene, Oregon

Date: 1928; 1975; 2002; 2014

Architect: Lawrence & Holford. Contractors: Hanson & Hammond (Portland); Pacific Iron Works; Fred Shearer & Son (Plasater); Williamson & Co. (Heating, Plumbing); David L. Hoggan (cast stone); Willamina Brick. Lighting fixtures: Frederick Baker; Interior Lunette Paintings: K. E. Hudson.

Alternative titles: John Straub Memorial Hall, Men's Dormitory

DESCRIPTION

The new men's dormitory, which could hold 300, replaced Friendly Hall as the main men's housing unit on campus. This was the first building to make use of a legislative act which enabled the Board of Regents to issue bonds for construction. Its design influenced later dorm construction: Work began on this reinforced concrete and steel structure in February 1928 and construction ended in September of that year. The u-shaped building consisted of six practically separate units around a central room. Each segment was intended to be a self-governing social unit. The units were named after professors Barrister, Kane; Greek letters, Alpha, Gamma, Omega, and Sherry Ross, first settler and owner of Ross Island. The original six dining facilities could hold 500.

1928. Construction began in February 1928 on a new men's dormitory. Construction ended the following September.

1933. The Men's Dorm was named in honor of John Straub, Professor of Greek (1879-1934) and Dean of Men 1920-32.

1955. Earl Hall added to the rear (east).

1975. Straub was remodeled and became home to the Psychology Department.

2002. Addition & Renovation. Architect: L. A. Kersh Architecture, Eugene. Added space for the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging and altered courtyard. The Center was dedicated in October 2002.

2014. Campus Expansion Project. Architect: Rowell Brokaw Architects. Associate Architect: Opsis Architecture. Contractor: Fortis Construction. Major renovation of Straub Hall with expansion to create classroom / learning spaces.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

"The Men's Dormitory," Ellis Lawrence Building Survey. v.2 (Eugene). Compiled by the Historic Preservation Program, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, University of Oregon ; project directors, Michael Shellenbarger, Kimberly Lakin. [Salem, Or.] : State Historic Preservation Office, [1989].

"Straub Hall," University of Oregon Historic Resource Survey. Eugene, Or.: University of Oregon, 2006.

1920s

"Portland woman wills dormitory for men students," Daily Emerald, 01/08/1927, 1

"Regents vote to construct men's dorm," Daily Emerald, 01/24/1928, 1

"More men to live in newly planned dorm," Daily Emerald, 02/02/1928, 1

"First earth is turned by Dr. Hall, and work on new dorm starts," Daily Emerald, 02/21/1928, 4

"New men's dorm will cost about $300,000; excavations started," Daily Emerald, 02/24/1928, 6

"Dean Shirrell explains plans for new dorm," Daily Emerald, 02/28/1928, 1

"Bids for dormitory to open next Friday," Daily Emerald, 02/29/1928, 4

"Dorm contract let by Regents," Daily Emerald, 03/06/1928, 3

"Builders end row with men," Daily Emerald, 03/28/1928, 2

"Rapid progress made on men's dormitory," Daily Emerald, 04/10/1928, 2

"$310,000 bid lowest made for new dorm," Daily Emerald, 03/03/1928, 1

"Roof of new men's hall near completion," Daily Emerald, 05/12/1928, 3

1940s

"Versatile relic still ticks time, Clock gives time, day and month", Daily Emerald, 07/15/1948, 4

1970s

"Straub [trash] fire squelched," Daily Emerald, 05/17/1955, 1

"Straub Hall's future in doubt, Senate fights to save dorm", Daily Emerald, 03/06/1970, 2

"State panel backs new approach in UO building study: Committee recommends UO dorm be made academic building," Register Guard, 1971/10/06 , 12B

"State groups mull Straub changeover," Daily Emerald, 10/07/1971, 3

"Dorm conversion delay urged; UO student chief demurs," Register Guard, 1971/10/20 , 7B

"More protests plan to convert Straub," Daily Emerald, 10/21/1971, 1

"Board to determine Straub Hall's future," Daily Emerald, 10/25/1971, 3

"Board votes to convert dorm," Register Guard, 1971/10/25 , 1B

"Straub Hall to become psychology building," Daily Emerald, 10/26/1971, 1

"Unfair to students: Straub conversion," Register Guard, 1971/10/31 , 12A

"Board may consider Straub Hall action," Daily Emerald, 12/09/1971, 3

"State board to pay UO dorm fund loss," Register Guard, 1971/12/15 , 9F

"Straub remodeling deferred," Daily Emerald, 09/25/1972, 5

"Straub Hall, parking on State Board agenda," Daily Emerald, 09/26/1972, 1

"Straub bids too high; rejected," Daily Emerald, 01/11/1973, 2