About the Memorial Union

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. READINGS - JANUARY 21, 2009

To honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Multicultural Student Services

will be coordinating the fourth annual campus-wide readings of his

words.

MU Mission

"As a student driven campus community center, the NDSU Memorial Union strives to provide quality educational opportunities, leadership development, programs and services within a welcoming, supportive and respectful environment."

History of the Memorial Union

Debating socieities in Cambridge, England, who wanted their own club for discussions, dining, meeting and lounging started the union concept as far back as 1815. The idea was introduced in the United States at Harvard University in 1901 and rapidly gained popularity with the upsurge in enrollment after World War I.

Four students of the North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) grasped the value of unions while visiting regional colleges in the mid-1940's, and envisioned a student union at NDAC. Enthusiasm quickly spread among students, faculty, staff and alumni. The building drive motto, "Now or Never," illustrated the urgency they felt for such a building.

The 1947 student body supported a $5 student activity fee for the construction of the student union. After many years of planning, fund raising, time and effort, and with additional help from downtown merchants and alumni, the union became a reality. The building was dedicated to the men and women from the college who lost their lives in war.

The Memorial Union opened during Homecoming Week in October 1953. A statement of purpose issued in 1954 proclaimed, "It's not just a building, it is also an organization and a program." The Memorial Union has continually been remodeled to keep up with the growth of the student body, and services change to meet students' needs. Operational funding is provided in part by student activity fees. Policy is developed by students, faculty and alumni on the Memorial Union Advisory Board.