There are many documents and records of many people talking about how they would love a place specifically for students to leisure. Many people, such as Chancellor Burnett, K. F. Van Sant, and others talk about their own opinions of the Student Union.

This section's purpose is to detail the documents found documenting the various memos and documents surrounding the opening and first steps in making the Student Union on the University of Nebraska Lincoln's City Campus into what it is today: a building that has become so centric to the University, it would wither without it.

This section is divided into two different partitions. One details the various public documents, letters, and flyers that were circulated outside of the University or were available for public viewing.

The other partition details the various memos and letters sent throughout the University to faculty and staff around discussing the Union's purpose, impact, and meaning to the University of Nebraska as it was in 1937.

These documents, both inside and outside of the University have become an everlasting dialogue of what really the Union was about before, during, and after its construction. These documents help illustrate a picture students today do not much consider anymore: a place for students. Students after the initial classes impacted by the Union up to the students today take the Union for granted, but there are still some people who remember the University without a common meeting ground for students.

Chancellor E. A. Burnett wrote this letter to describe what the Student Union (or Nebraska Union, or Student Activities Building; it had several names) would be used for on the University of Nebraska campus. He discusses the many different uses for the building, whether it be for dining, leisure, or even activities or events put on by a student organization. He discusses the many benefits this will provide the campus, such as the increased responsibility of the students with creating activities to productively use their leisure time, etcectra.

Click on the picture to view more information, including a transcription of the document.

Chancellor E. A. Burnett wrote this letter to describe what the Student Union (or Nebraska Union, or Student Activities Building; it had several names) would be used for on the University of Nebraska campus. He discusses the many different uses for the building, whether it be for dining, leisure, or even activities or events put on by a student organization. He discusses the many benefits this will provide the campus, such as the increased responsibility of the students with creating activities to productively use their leisure time.

Bond No. 63 describing the University of Nebraska Dormitory Corporation's Student Activities Building Bond that aided the facilitation of the construction of the Student Union. These bonds were issued on February 1, 1937 and were to be paid in full by February 1, 1943. Each bond (two hundred in all) were worth one thousand dollars.

A letter from the University Alumni Association to a Ruby C. Wilder discussing the Student Union and what it will do for the current undergraduates. Since the University Alumni Association volunteered to furnish the Student Union, this letter is subtly asking for a donation to do such.

An article from the Lincoln Journal & Star from the 17th of April in 1937 discussing the finalization of the construction bid for the Student Union. It details the list of bids (and those who didn't win the final bid) from the local companies asked to construct the building.

An article from the Lincoln Journal & Star from December 6, 1936 detailing the formation of a plan to build a student activities building (called the Student Union) on the northeast corner of 14th and R Streets. It details the locations that were considered, and also discusses the reasons why those locations were not chosen.

An advertisement discussing the new Student Union on the University of Nebraska's campus and how it will help change the University as a whole. It describes how the Union will help students find a place to linger while they are waiting for class, deciding on something to eat, or just plain leisure time. On the back there are many thoughts and feelings from many of the most notable people that pushed the University along during the 1930s, such as E. A. Burnett, E. F. Schramm, and others.

A letter to all of the regular employees and faculty of the University detailing the process for which they can get a Union membership. In order to do so, one must pay the three dollar membership fee that the students normally pay per semester.

A tabulation from an informal vote of faculty members about how they would feel if they had to pay a fee to rent a lounge in the Student Union. It also details a few other charges that could be assessed within the Student Union pertaining to faculty.

This is an internal memo sent out to the instructional staff and faculty of the University inviting them to the Open House of the Student Union happening on May 4, 1938.

This is a questionnaire given out to the instructional staff and faculty of the University of Nebraska, detailing some questions about what a faculty member might desire inside of the Student Union. If so, it asks if they would be willing to subject themselves to a fee.

A letter from the Managing Director of the Student Union, K. F. Van Sant discussing the need for faculty to spot students that were "socially dormant" and recommend them to the Union board, where they would be invited to come participate in what the Student Union had to offer.