Coffman Memorial Union: A Hub of Student Life at the University of Minnesota

Introduction

Coffman Memorial Union (CMU), commonly known as Coffman Union, stands as a central landmark on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Anchoring the south end of Northrop Mall near the Mississippi River, Coffman has been a vital center of student life since its opening. This article explores the rich history of Coffman Memorial Union, from its inception and design to its renovations and role in student activities, social change, and cultural expression.

The Genesis of a Student Union

The story of Coffman Memorial Union began during the 1935-1936 academic year when student and faculty organizations advocated for a co-educational union building on the Minneapolis campus. President Lotus Delta Coffman, recognizing the need for a centralized gathering place, appointed a survey committee to assess unions at other Midwestern state universities. The committee's findings revealed that several universities had superior unions, reinforcing the importance of such a facility at the University of Minnesota.

Coffman became a staunch supporter of the project, emphasizing the need for a building large enough to accommodate the university's growing needs. Federal funding was secured in September 1938, coinciding with Coffman's death at the age of 63. Sadly, Coffman did not live to witness the completion of the union that would bear his name. Construction commenced in January 1939, and Coffman Memorial Union opened its doors to students in the fall of 1940.

Design and Architecture: A Blend of Styles

Coffman Memorial Union was designed to serve approximately 15,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Clarence Johnston, Jr., son of Clarence Johnston, Sr. (who had designed numerous buildings on campus), was chosen as the architect. Johnston Jr. opted for the Streamline Moderne style, a late Art Deco variant characterized by aerodynamic curves, horizontal lines, and simplified geometric forms that evoked modernity and efficiency. This style was particularly evident in the interior of the building, especially in the Main Ballroom (now the Great Hall) and the two-story Main Lounge.

The 336,000-square-foot building was met with rave reviews for its elegant Streamline Moderne character. Original interior features centered on communal utility, including a grand ballroom accommodating up to 1,200 dancers, multiple cafeterias for dining, a dedicated post office, and numerous meeting rooms tailored for student groups. The design also incorporated 16 pianos, among them a Steinway grand, underscoring its role as a musical and social nexus. The central first-floor entrance highlighted period-appropriate terrazzo flooring, contributing to the building's durable, elegant interior palette. Intended for a student population of around 14,000, the union's layout unified previously segregated men's and women's facilities into a single, accessible hub spanning lounges, recreational areas, and administrative spaces, funded partly through New Deal Public Works Administration grants.

In 1941, Bradley L. Morison penned an article titled "The clubhouse on the campus" for The Saturday Evening Post, accurately capturing the essence of Coffman as a central hub for student life.

The Student Advisory Board: Shaping Union Policies

The Student Advisory Board, formerly known as the Board of Governors, was established in 1908 to oversee policies within Coffman Memorial Union. Initially, the Board consisted solely of men, even after the Minnesota Union opened to women in 1934. However, in the spring of 1940, prior to the union's opening, a new Board was formed.

In its early years, the Board also managed committees that organized a wide array of events. Today, this responsibility lies with SUA's Student Events and Entertainment team. Over the years, event committees have strived to provide activities that reflect the evolving interests of students. The administration also viewed the Board as a means of guiding students' personal development through engaging and educational activities, such as organized style shows and lectures on etiquette.

Throughout the years, numerous committees have covered a wide range of programming, from movies to bridge instruction. Major special events such as Homecoming, "Sno Week," and the Stardust dance had separate committees, as well. The Union also brought in big name performers, such as Duke Ellington for the 1955 Stardust.

War, Protests, and Social Change

Coffman Memorial Union has been a witness to significant historical events and a focal point for student activism. During World War II, the demographics of the student body changed dramatically, with women outnumbering men for the first time in the university's history. Coffman became a hub for both students and servicemen in training, with servicemen even gaining representation on the Board of Governors.

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Following the war, the U's student population shifted again with the influx of men under the G.I. Bill. Coffman also played a role in the Cuban missile crisis, and the Vietnam War. The first Vietnam War protest at the U took place in February 1965 in front of Coffman. Protests against the Vietnam War continued into the 1970s. Starting in May 1970, students occupied Coffman Memorial Union 24 hours a day until June, in response to President Nixon's expansion of the war into Cambodia. The largest protests occurred in May 1972, with 6,000 people gathered in front of Coffman.

Beyond the Vietnam War, students have used Coffman as a gathering place to advocate for social change. Prior to the Vietnam War, students protested segregation in front of Coffman. The Civil Rights Movement led students to push for change at the University of Minnesota and across the country. In October 1963, members of Students for Integration protested the arrest of the group’s founder Zev Aelony. The Afro American Action Committee (now BSU), which originally met in Coffman, was founded in 1969 in the wake of Martin Luther King’s untimely death. In 2014, 500 students gathered in front of Coffman to take a stand against police brutality after the death of Michael Brown.

Coffman has also served as a place for the community to come together during times of national tragedy. In 1963, students gathered in Coffman to watch news of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The next year, the traveling John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library Exhibit was presented in the Great Hall, drawing 62,000 visitors in four days.

Throughout the years, Coffman has hosted numerous prominent speakers. Four thousand students crowded into the Great Hall to hear the Christian evangelist Billy Graham speak in 1961. Jesse Jackson drew a crowd of 1000 when he spoke in front of Coffman in 1988.

Renovations: Adapting to Changing Needs

As the student population grew, Coffman Memorial Union underwent several renovations to adapt to changing needs and preferences. By 1970, the student body had tripled in size since 1940, leading to overcrowding in the union. The first major renovation was completed in 1976, adding 25,000 square feet of space through glass additions to the front and back of the building. However, this redesign was widely criticized. The glass caused temperature regulation issues, and the aesthetic was significantly altered, eliminating much of the original Art Deco elements. The color scheme was changed to bright magenta, blue, yellow, orange, purple, and green, and the terrazzo floors were covered up.

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In 1999, a Minnesota Daily article lamented that the Coffman Memorial Union of the 1990s was "not a pretty picture," citing a lack of modern features and an unappealing design that had driven down traffic. Consequently, Coffman was closed from November 15, 1999, to January 21, 2003, for a major renovation that aimed to restore the building's original aesthetic while incorporating modern amenities. The redesign honored the building’s intended aesthetic, but included modern features such as air conditioning and wi-fi. Many of the original elements, such as terrazzo floors, fireplaces and light fixtures, reconnect the building with its roots.

A second comprehensive renovation and expansion occurred from November 15, 1999, to January 21, 2003, as part of the broader $153 million Riverbend Commons Revitalization project, which sought to restore Cass Gilbert's original vision linking Northrop Mall to the Mississippi River. Costing $71.5 million-$21.5 million over the initial budget and funded via $48.6 million in student fees and reserves plus tenant contributions-the effort closed the 336,000-square-foot building for three years, dispersing students across campus. It restored key 1940s elements like the north facade (removing 1970s black glass and brick infill), Great Hall, terrazzo floors, fireplaces, and light fixtures, while adding modern infrastructure including air conditioning, building-wide Wi-Fi, escalators, a 400-seat theater, electronically scored bowling lanes, and expanded food services with brands like Starbucks and Einstein Bros.

In 2013, the second floor was renovated with input from students representing the cultural centers. According to the December 2021 update to the Twin Cities Campus Plan, Coffman is slated for a third major renovation to meet the current needs of the student population, preserving the building's architecture while creating a more welcoming space.

Cultural Centers: Fostering Diversity and Inclusion

Coffman Memorial Union has long been a space for cultural expression and inclusivity. Today, the second floor houses individual spaces for nine cultural centers, as well as multi-use spaces available to all student groups. While the International Relations Bureau and the YWCA were granted space in CMU in 1940, they were not categorized as cultural centers until the 1990s, when they became known as the Minnesota International Students Association (MISA) and the University Young Women (now the Feminist Student Activist Collective). Other cultural groups, such as the precursor to the Black Student Union, met in Coffman but did not have permanent office space.

In 1989, an article in the Minnesota Daily highlighted the allocation of space in Coffman for the African, Asian-American, and Mi Gente student cultural centers. Soon after, The Disabled Student Cultural Center and the precursor to the Queer Student Cultural Center also were provided with private space in Coffman. In 1999 the American Indian Student Cultural Center and the newly-formed Al-Madinah both requested space in Coffman, which they were granted when the renovation was completed in 2003.

Arts and Entertainment: A Creative Hub

From its inception, Coffman Memorial Union has emphasized the importance of art. The third floor originally housed a music and arts room, and throughout the years, different spaces have been used for rotating exhibits curated by student committees. These exhibits have featured works from local galleries and student artists.

Coffman has also provided students with various ways to enjoy music. When Coffman opened, students could play piano, check out records from the record lending library, attend music listening hours, or dance to live music. Famous musicians such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw played in the ballroom. The Gopher Hole-now known as the Whole Music Club-opened in 1962, and the Whole Coffeehouse began operating out of the Gopher Hole on weekend evenings in 1968. Over the years The Whole evolved with students interests.

Student Life: A Constant Evolution

While some aspects of Coffman Memorial Union have remained constant since 1940, others have evolved with the times. Students have always been able to meet friends, play games, grab a bite to eat, and attend social functions at Coffman. The social activities at Coffman reflect students’ interests, available technology, and cultural norms. While pinball machines are no longer available, students can still play billiards or bowl, and enjoy trivia nights. Students used to watch television crammed into a room with a small black and white TV, while today they are more likely to surf the internet on their phones. In the mid-twentieth century, dances with live music were common in the Main Ballroom (now the Great Hall). Over time regular dances fell out of popularity, and today’s major events may or may not even take place within Coffman’s grounds. Because Coffman was built for a much smaller student body, today’s large scale events are hosted at on-campus venues that accommodate many students.

Coffman Today: A Building in Need of Love?

Today, Coffman Memorial Union houses a variety of services, including the University of Minnesota Bookstore, Minnesota Marketplace Food Court, US Postal Service, IT Student Lab, administration services, and student group services. The building hosts a variety of services including the University of Minnesota Bookstore, Minnesota Marketplace Food Court, US Postal Service, IT Student Lab, administration services, and student group services. While the main lounge and theater are located on the main floor of the building, the lower level offers access to the bookstore, Great Hall, and several dining options. The basement features the Whole Music Club and an entertainment center called Goldy's Gameroom, featuring more food options, a bowling alley, foosball, and billiard tables. The building's upper floors are largely reserved for student and administration use, with student groups occupying much of the second floor. The building is home to the University of Minnesota Student Unions & Activities office, the Minnesota Student Association (the undergraduate student government organization), and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (the graduate student government organization).

Despite its central role, some students feel that Coffman Union is in need of an upgrade. Some find the building's aesthetic displeasing, describing it as "Art Deco meets outdated office building." The building also struggles with overcrowding, particularly in the food court during lunchtime. Some students find the basement floor to be uninviting, with low ceilings and a sterile atmosphere. While the second floor has been recently renovated and offers stylish study spots and spaces for student groups, many feel that the lower floors are in need of renovation.

The Legacy of Lotus Delta Coffman

Coffman Memorial Union is named after Lotus Delta Coffman, the fifth president of the University of Minnesota from 1920 to 1938. While Coffman was instrumental in the creation of the student union, his legacy is also marred by his racist and anti-Semitic views. Coffman notoriously monitored Jewish student admissions and barred African-American students from living in dormitories. In 2018, the Minnesota Student Association passed a resolution to rename Coffman Memorial Union, but the Board of Regents rejected the proposal.

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