History of University Housing
The history of student housing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reflects the history of the campus itself, all the way back to 1851 when North Hall opened as UW’s first dormitory. While the buildings have changed over the decades, the tradition of on-campus housing has continued for over 160 years, providing a key part of the college experience to multiple generations of Badgers.
Photo Slideshow: 100 Years of Student Housing (courtesy of UW-Madison Libraries’ Archives)
University of Wisconsin Housing Chronology
North Hall opens
South Hall opens
University women take up residence in South Hall
Female College established
Female College Building opens; men reoccupy South Hall
Female College Building renamed Ladies’ Hall
Men’s dormitories in North and South Halls closed
Ladies’ Hall renamed Chadbourne Hall
Van Hise inaugural address
Architectural Commission campus plan completed
Lathrop Hall opens
Barnard Hall opens
Department of Halls and Commons renamed Department of Dormitories and Commons; Donald Halverson appointed Director of Dormitories and Commons; Dormitory Committee appointed
Van Hise units (including Adams Hall and Tripp Hall) open; House Fellow System put into effect
Experimental College occupies Adams Hall
Report on University City submitted to regents
A, B, and C of Kronshage units open
Remaining five dormitories and dining facilities of Kronshage units open
Elizabeth Waters Hall opens; Department of Dormitories and Commons renamed Division of Residence Halls
Lee Burns appointed Director of Division of Residence Halls; Camp Randall trailer camp opens
Truax Field facility opens; Badger Ordnance Works facility opens
University Houses open; Slichter Hall opens
Newell Smith appointed Director of Division of Residence Halls
Zoe Bayliss and Schreiner houses open
Eagle Heights apartments open
Holt units on Elm Drive open (Cole Hall, Sullivan Hall)
Second set of Elm Drive units opens (Friedrick Center, Bradley Hall); new Chadbourne Hall opens
Ten Year Housing Plan prepared
Susan B. Davis House opens
Rust House opens; Sellery Hall, first building of Southeast Dormitory Area, opens
Witte Hall opens
Ogg Hall (at 716 W. Dayton Street) and Gordon Commons open
Van Hise Refectory renamed Carson Gulley Commons
Norm Sunstad appointed Director of Division of University Housing
Merit House opens
Paul Evans appointed Director of Division of University Housing
Smith Hall opens
A new residence hall opens (at 835 W. Dayton Street); Ogg Hall name is transferred to the new building and the old building is removed
Friedrick Hall renamed Phillips Hall
Dejope Hall and Gordon Dining & Event Center open; old Gordon Commons is removed
Leopold Hall opens; renovated Carson Gulley Center and Frank Holt Center reopen
Jeff Novak appointed Director of Division of University Housing
Humphrey and Jorns Halls, formerly part of the CALS Short Course program, become residence halls under University Housing
Lowell Center converted to use as a residence hall
Building and House Namesakes
At UW–Madison, most of our residence halls and dining centers are named in honor of individuals who were affiliated with the University and had significant accomplishments to be recognized. In addition, many of our residence halls are divided up into houses, which may consist of a floor, wing, or small building within the residence hall, each with a House Fellow providing live-in support for their residents. With this unique house system, founded in the 1920s, each house is also named after notable individuals with ties to UW–Madison.
In the coming months, we plan to publish biographies of these individuals here, to share the history and contributions of University Housing’s many namesakes.