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Show 212 Weber College - Weber State College The Move to the New Campus Robert A. ClarkeThe decision to move to the new campus, although difficult to make at the time, made possible the spectacular growth of Weber College, now Weber State College. The necessity of making a decision was forced on those responsible for the College when immediately after World War II students, both day and evening, enrolled in such numbers that the College facilities were filled beyond capacity. The library, classrooms, laboratories, and administrative facilities were strained. The Ogden City Chief of Police was protesting the clogging of the streets with College parking. The College auditorium was totally inadequate to seat the students for the assemblies which were an important part of the College. The question was not Shall the College expand? but Where shall it expand? Shall the expansion be made around the existing downtown campus with its limited area, or shall the College move to a new campus where relatively inexpensive landwas available in adequate amounts? It was a difficult decision. Those desiring to remain on the present campus felt like Governor Herbert B. Maw who, when speaking in a College assembly a couple of years before, said, I am glad to participate in the program of expanding Weber College. I have directed that 61,000 be authorized for purchase of property in the Weber College block for the purpose of erecting new buildings as needed by the College. It would be disastrous to move the school to another location. These college buildings have traditions touching the lives of many men and women. Many felt, as did Governor Maw, sentimental ties to the old campus and buildings. Parents and grandparents had gone to school there. Members of the Board of Trustees has mortgaged their homes to make the Moench building possible. President David O. McKay, past president of the school, had led the drive for money to build the gymnasium. Many had met their mates and courted while attending Weber College and much more. Then there were practical aspects. The downtown location was a big advantage for the many students working their way through school. It was convenient for students involved in cooperative training where part of the day or week was spent in on-the-job training. There was the matter of leaving the current buildings. The deeds of the Moench and gymnasium buildings provided that these buildings and the associated sites would revert to the Church if the College moved. Then, College officials had worked tirelessly during the past three years to acquire the remaining parcels of ground on the campus block and now were in possession of all except two churches and the L.D.S. Institute. It was embarrassing to change course and say, Lets leave it. Then there was the haunting fear of the future how many years would the College need to operate a split campus before having a whole college reunited on one campus? On the other hand, what quality campus can be built on seven acres? This was the amount of land owned on the campus block. Even if Ogden City built a memorial auditorium on Lester Park and permitted physical education and recreational facilities there, it would not be nearly enough. To purchase the block to the south of the campus, which was filled with houses and apartments, and on which the Forest Service building was located, would cost as much as 100 acres of land plus constructing a large building located away from the city center. Where are the College stadium and associated parking, and perhaps a fieldhouse, to be located? These would need about twenty acres. Wouldmulti-story buildings (high rise buildings) be feasible to house the College? Investigation indicated excessively high costs involved and that this type building was functionally less efficient. The decision to move to a new campus was the result of careful long-range planning. In 1943 the tide of the war was turning in favor of the United States and its Allies, both in the European and Pacific theatres. Leaders began to think of postwar problems. Committees on post-war planning were organized. Ogden City Mayor Kent Bramwell, named a committee with President Dixon as chairman. The Ogden Chamber of Commerce named a committee, and President Dixon organized a faculty-student committee to assist him. During 1943-1945 the College made plans for a summer school to be located at Snow Basin on 80 acres of Forest Service land. It would provide for 100 students to start and 400 later. Schematic building and campus plans were prepared. Plans were prepared to use the 250,000 of modern aircraft repair equipment which the College would inherit from the War Training Program. A school for training licensed aircraft and engine mechanics would be located at the new city airport. Information on planning college campuses was sought, and very little was found compared with that which is now available. Studies were made of nearby campuses and the elements of a master plan for Weber College began to emerge. Enrollment projections were made, indicating a college of 3000 day students should be the goal. Dr. Robert A. Clarke was a member of the faculty and administration from 1937 to 1979 and taught physics and mathematics as well as being Dean of Faculty for 20 years and Administrative Vice President for 9 years. In this climate of thinking President Dixon called a joint meeting of the Faculty Planning Committee and the alumni committees on campus beautification and |