The Norris University Center is the student union of Northwestern University in Evanston , Illinois , USA.
41-472: The building is named for Lester J. Norris, an alumnus of Northwestern University who died in 1967. In his memory, Mr Norris's parents contributed $ 2.5 million toward the construction of a student center on the recently finished lakefill . The center was designed in 1971 by Modernist architect Edward D. Dart , and has an area of approximately 150,000 square feet. The Norris University Center provides services and programs. Norris University Center used to have
82-504: A Northwestern student group, and is the largest student-run music festival in the country. Northwestern lists Dillo Day as one of its most notable traditions. The festival has its roots in May Day , or Mayfete. Mayfete was a time when students would celebrate the "renunciation of the May Queen of the temporal world for a spiritual one," according to a 1951 history of the event. Although little
123-508: A bar in it, but it was shuttered for both insurance and fire code reasons. In 2010, a group of students began to campaign for a new student center to be built on campus, replacing the Norris University Center. The New Student Center Initiative is a student-led movement for the creation of a new student center. The initiative includes an ad hoc committee in which all Northwestern students are invited to apply, join, and contribute to
164-682: A full color video board with recording equipment. The facility is named after alumni and Trustee J. Landis Martin and his wife, Sharon Martin. Home of the Northwestern Field Hockey Team, the Northwestern Field Hockey field was built in 1997, as part of the Leonard B. Thomas Athletic Complex. The field includes artificial turf lined for field hockey, a full field lighting and sound system, lighted score board, and permanent seating for up to 300 fans. The field has additionally been
205-479: A greater sense of community and inclusion on campus. In response, the administration engaged the consulting firm Brailsford and Dunlavey to assess this proposal and conduct research on how best to meet the student body's needs. On August 3, 2016, Northwestern unveiled a model showcasing a major renovation plan of the existing Norris Center, a modern facility called the University Commons, in hopes to best serve
246-518: A historic all-Black lineup on the stage for the past 3 years. In addition to Dillo Day, beginning in 2016, Mayfest Productions hosted annual Battle of the Bands and eventually Battle of the DJs competitions in the weeks leading up to the festival. The winners of these respective events perform on the main stage of Dillo Day that year. On May 30, 2020, Mayfest Productions hosted Digital Dillo, a virtual replacement for
287-609: A small strip of land on the southwest end was allowed to run wild with tall grasses and flowers. It is unclear whether this will be mowed in the future or is a permanent feature of the lakefill. The lakefill is home to many key buildings on the Northwestern campus, many of which enjoy a direct view of Lake Michigan. One of the first additions to the lakefill campus was the Northwestern University Library , which began construction in 1966, and opened in 1970. It replaced
328-452: Is known about the early days, May Day was originally a celebration of the women of Northwestern. The crowning of the May Queen was the central event, and the pomp included a Maypole dance and cotillion. May Day expanded to May Week in 1946 to accommodate a women's sing, men's sing, and an honors ceremony. Armadillo Productions was created in 1972 by two students from Austin, Texas , to honor
369-417: Is open to all Northwestern University students, faculty, and staff. Students are each permitted to bring one additional guest, and a limited number of tickets are reserved for purchase by Evanston residents and Northwestern alumni. The second stage is curated in partnership with an additional campus organization-- currently Northwestern's Black student alliance, For Members Only, who has provided Dillo Day with
410-571: The Charles Deering Library as the main library on campus, and is connected to the Deering Library. The building consists of three towers and a basement area, each devoted to a certain area of study. Designed by architect Walter Nesch , the building is meant to evoke both a Brutalist architecture style and the Gothic style of the old Deering Library. Northwestern University first planned
451-607: The Northwestern University Library , the Norris University Center and the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall , all built from 1970–1975. Talks to expand the campus via lakefront had started in 1893, and were again brought up in 1930. It was not until October 1960 that the university formally announced their plans of expansion. Construction then started in July 1962, following the city of Evanston's final approval. Creation of
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#1733084468583492-828: The official animal of their home state and a concert venue there. They held a “I Don’t Think We’re in Kansas Anymore” festival and fair that had costumes, games, a treasure hunt, and special events. It was held every year until 1976 when it was cancelled due to weather and financial difficulties; but returned the following year as Armadillo Day. That same year, a 10-day assortment of campus programming called Mayfest began, which included Armadillo Day, Greek Week and A&O's Spring Festival. The first outdoor Mayfest concerts were produced by A&O featuring Robert Gordon 5.22.81 and Muddy Waters 5.23.81, staged on one lakefront stage and offered at no cost to students. Mayfest Productions eventually formed from A&O Productions, solely producing
533-528: The 400-seat Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, 150-seat black box Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater, and a 120-seat David and Carol McClintock Choral and Recital Room. The building also offices Bienen School of Music departments like admission, financial aids, student affairs, career services, as well as the career department of the School of Communication. Instrumental practice rooms occupy the third floor, faculty studios on
574-613: The James Roscoe Miller Campus) is a large area of Northwestern University land that was reclaimed from Lake Michigan in 1962–1964 by creating a seawall of limestone blocks quarried in Illinois and Indiana and using landfill materials from the construction of the Port of Indiana . The lakefill resulted from the university's need to expand the campus's physical footprint; Northwestern President J. Roscoe Miller received permission from
615-506: The Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center, houses a diverse set of exercise equipment, an Olympic-size swimming and diving pool, practice courts, studio space, and massage and sauna services. In 2002, an attachment of the Combe Tennis center, housing six indoor tennis courts was completed. The building itself is commonly referred to as "SPAC" by Northwestern students and faculty, the acronym referencing
656-690: The Northwestern Athletics fields and facilities. Currently, the lakefill houses the Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, Lakeside Hockey Field, and the Chap and Ethel Hutchinson practice field. Lanny and Sharon Martin stadium opened March 8, 2016, and houses both the Northwestern Wildcat soccer and lacrosse teams. It includes an artificial turf field, full field lighting, permanent seating for up to 2000 fans and
697-515: The Saturday concert event on the shores of Lake Michigan that is known today as Dillo Day. Mayfest Productions has earned a reputation for booking major industry artists, and is annually one of the largest and most competitive clubs at Northwestern. The festival features a main stage, second stage, food trucks , beer garden , and Dillo Village that hosts art from students and Chicago -area artists, as well as various other games and activities. Dillo Day
738-504: The annual music festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Those within the Northwestern community received a link to a livestream where they could watch live artist performances and participate in Q&;A sessions with them. The following year, Dillo Day was held as a hybrid festival. This once again featured virtual artist performances and live Q&A's, but also had in-person components across campus
779-466: The best ways to rebuild, repurpose, or renovate the University Center to better meet students' needs. In the spring of 2012, the consultants are researching student opinion via focus groups and small meetings, which will then allow them to put together and distribute a large scale survey on the topic. Northwestern University Lakefill The Northwestern University Lakefill (formally known as
820-481: The building features a limestone base with additions of concrete in some middle pillar parts of the interior, also serving as the separation wall for Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, which offers a direct view of the lake and downtown Chicago. Part of the building also rests on the lakefill, as it partly integrates the existing Regenstein Hall of Music on all three levels. The Ryan Center has three new performance venues, including
861-524: The building is also notable for its eco-friendly design that will reduce energy consumption by 30% below standard requirements. In 2018, the Hub was awarded LEED platinum designation. Dillo Day Dillo Day is an annual all-day music festival at Northwestern University that takes place at the end of spring quarter on the Lakefill . Started in the 1972/73 school year, it is organized by Mayfest Productions,
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#1733084468583902-424: The current pavilion and will extend further out on the lakefill. The intended project includes the construction of an indoor multi-purpose practice field, nutrition center, dining facility, athletic support services, rebuilding of indoor basketball courts, and office space for athletic administrators and coaches. Designed by Toronto architectural firm KPMB , the 410,000-square-foot (38,000 m ) glass building on
943-785: The entire week of the festival similar to the original Mayfest. This included Mayfeast, a collection of food trucks outside Deering Library ; Mayfit, a thrift shopping event at Norris University Center ; Dildo Day, a variety of sex/body positivity events; student art installations on the Lakefill where the festival is traditionally held; a silent disco outside Norris featuring Chicago area DJ's; and screenings of artist performances on and off-campus. 1981 1983 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Main Stage WNUR x IndieU Stage 2015 (Note: Dillo Day
984-560: The fourth. Offices of the deans and administrative staff occupy the second, fourth and fifth floor. In 1977, the Regenstein Hall of Music was constructed on the lakefill campus. It was also designed by Walter Nesch, and connects directly to the new Ryan Center for the Musical Arts in two of the three levels. Named in the memory of alumnus Lester J. Norris following a $ 2.5 million donation from his parents, Northwestern's student center
1025-431: The lakefill campus refers to the full 74 acres created from 1962–1964, students often use the term "lakefill" to describe this specific lakefront area, which is a frequent gathering place on campus. The space is used to host events such as Dillo Day , the largest student-run music festival in the country, and the local Relay for Life program. In the spring of 2016, a program called ART BOX was started to provide an area on
1066-473: The lakefill in July 1962. The scope of the project evolved into a 20-year plan, including the construction of multiple scholastic, gallery, and performance buildings, alongside space for recreational and athletic activities on the campus. The large pond within the middle of the lakefill was included not only for aesthetic purposes of the campus, but additionally to serve as the cooling reserve for Northwestern's Central Utility Plant. The placement of each aspect on
1107-483: The lakefill to be used by multiple groups across campus for smaller theatrical performances, musical performances, and art exhibits. The lakefill has become an integral part of campus and student life as a space for unwinding, working out or coming together for these greater events and traditions. This was also shown when the winning idea for Northwestern's Associate Student Government (ASG) 5K Initiative, an initiative introduced to improve student life on campus, in 2012,
1148-401: The lakefill was reinforced by the university's need to expand, but in a way that did not crowd the campus with more buildings, or infringe on Evanston land. Expanding out toward the lake also came at a cheaper cost, estimated at around $ 113,000/acre to build out onto the lake versus around $ 300,000/acre to expand further into the city of Evanston. Extensive state and local government cooperation
1189-422: The lakefill, facing Lake Michigan, is composed of rocks intended to absorb waves from the lake. Those that remain above the waters are frequently painted, mostly by Northwestern students. Students began painting the rocks in 1970, within a few years of the lakefill's construction. Paintings include doodles, inside jokes, and several marriage proposals, and the messages carry an overall trend of optimism. Although
1230-667: The lobbying of the New Student Center. According to their proposal, the New Student Center Initiative is driven by a belief that a new, state-of-the art student center located closer to the center of campus will help create a greater sense of community throughout the University. A new building designed with this purpose in mind, they argue, would include more venue space, meeting space, centralized student services, food options and general entertainment. In addition, moving
1271-676: The location of the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament in 2002, 2004, and 2010. Created as a varsity football athletic practice field, the Chap and Ethel Hutchinson field was opened in the summer of 2016, and is located next to both lakeside field and Martin stadium, alongside the Lake Michigan lakefront. Completed in 1987, the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion is located on the northern end of the lakefill. The 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m ) pavilion, which includes
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1312-415: The new lakefill was meant to unify both the north and south ends of campus, and the design of the paths was focused on creating both a relaxing environment and pedestrian-oriented campus. The eastern portion of the lakefill consists of a peninsula, creating a small lagoon in the center of the new campus. The peninsula is designed as a park-like area with paths for jogging and biking. The eastern shore of
1353-543: The north side of the lakefill was opened on March 28, 2017, and includes Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management faculty, staff and students, as well as Weinberg College ’s Department of Economics. The building consists of a Collaboration Plaza, three stories, a 6,000-square-foot (560 m ) visitor center, a two-story White Family Auditorium that holds 350 people, and a Faculty Summit that's also two stories for discussions and debates. Apart from its high technology and flexibility of furniture within classrooms,
1394-519: The reconstruction of the Bienen School of Music in February 2008. After competing with 25 architect companies, Chicago-based Goettsch Partners won the design of this giant glass building. Construction started on May 18, 2012, and opened for classes in the fall of 2015. The exterior of the building consists mainly of glass, taking advantage of the shorelines and skyline of neighboring Chicago. The base of
1435-622: The student center to the Garret parking lot would be more of a focal point for students to congregate on campus. Those who argue the necessity of building a new student center cite the positive effect of peer institutions' larger or more comprehensive student centers. In response to appeals from the Undergraduate Budget Priorities Committee (UBPC), the NU administration has enlisted the consulting firm Brailsford and Dunlavey to evaluate
1476-454: The town of Evanston and the Illinois legislature (as well as many other groups) to reclaim 74 acres (30 hectares) of underwater land. This almost doubled the size of the previously 85 acres (34 hectares) campus. In 1968, the lakefill was expanded by an additional 10 acres (4.0 hectares) on the southern end of the campus. As solid ground was established, Northwestern began the construction of
1517-536: The wider Northwestern community. Led by the Division of Student Affairs with Ennead Architects of New York City and Northwestern's Facility Management, the two-year plan was unanimously approved by the Educational Properties Committee of the university's board of trustees. However, in the interim, no further developments have occurred. The Northwestern lakefill additionally serves as a home to many of
1558-406: The “Sports Pavilion” in Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and “Aquatics Center” in Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center. Announced in late 2015, to provide further support to student athletes and athletic staff on campus, additional renovations and construction began on the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion to include the new Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center. This addition is being constructed adjacent to
1599-487: Was designed by Edward D. Dart , and completed in 1971. It embodies the Brutalist architectural style that held sway on many campuses in the 1970s. The Norris Center serves as a community hub for students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. A New Student Center Initiative was drawn up in 2010 by a student-led movement, which called for the creation of a more central and modern facility, and argued that this would help promote
1640-494: Was needed in order to purchase and build upon the lakefront. Following unanimous approval by both the Illinois House and Senate, as well as then current governor Otto J. Kerner, the state of Illinois allowed Northwestern to purchase underwater property for $ 100 an acre. Following the purchase of the land, the university obtained permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on September 6, 1961, and finally began construction on
1681-463: Was the implementation of “WiFi on the Lakefill” after roughly 700 Northwestern students voted in a school-wide poll. The project was completed within the year. Over the summer, hammocks are a frequent sight as groups of students erect their hammocks around the lakefill or bring a book and hammock solo. In 2021, work was performed to add more rocks to the lakefront edge to prevent erosion from occurring, and