Student Union Buildings

Original Student Union Building

By 1947 the student body had outgrown the meeting room in East Hall and the need for a student center was evident. Negotiations began for the purchase of a recreation building from the Moutt Mine near Columbus. This one story 110 x 60 foot building was cut into sections and moved to the NMC campus late in 1947. It was delayed in opening for use because of lack of funds for repairs. These eventually brought the cost of the building to $4,127.24. The Student Union Building, SUB as it was called, had both a large and a small lounge, a cafeteria, store, and offices and several smaller rooms. Never in top shape and lacking money for extensive remodeling, the building was patched and painted enough to make it acceptable for use by the fall of 1948. It remained in use until plans for the new Student Union Building at the same site caused the building to be moved to the southern edge of the campus and converted into a construction technology shop. By 1979 the building, shorn of its decorative porches, was used only for storage. It was demolished in the mid 1980s to make way for additional parking and what would become the new Farm Mechanics Building.

Almost 20 years had elapsed and the college had on its campus five buildings that had cost the state little or nothing. Enrollment was growing rapidly and notice had been given of the discontinuation of the lease on the space at the high school. It seemed time to request state funds for the construction of an administration and main classroom building, but troubles were already in the offing.

Student Union Building, circa 1961

By 1958 plans were being drawn for a new Student Union Building on the campus. The entire cost of the structure was to be borne by students and financed by increased fees authorized by the students themselves. Max Kuhr of Havre was appointed the architect for the building. Built in almost the same location as the original Student Union Building, it was ready for use in 1961.

Architectural plans indicated that a chapel could be added to the north of the SUB and connected to it. Though the plan was discussed several times, no action was taken.

The new building has a large ballroom and a smaller adjoining open space, an attractive fireside room and lounge, bookstore space and new offices and a snack bar. A smaller second floor houses conference rooms and additional office space. A large basement allowed room for the development of recreational facilities. These were added in 1964. A pin-and-cue area was added in 1965.