University of Virginia Library

Hostesses

Hostesses worked with the
student union officers in organizing
tea dances with girls' colleges,
dancing classes, running the
information bureau, lost and found,
and approved housing lists. Tea was
served every afternoon for boys
who wanted to drop by.

In 1959 the Union moved into
the newly-built Newcomb Hall. The
construction of a student activities
building had been supported by the
University President and
administrators, but strongly
opposed by the majority of
students, who felt such a structure
would encroach upon the
fraternities realm of social activity.
The Student Council recommended
the building not be built; a Cavalier
Daily editorial called it a "multi
million dollar white elephant."
"Ping-pong Palace" was another
favorite label the disgruntled
students placed on the structure.