The Andersen Library Blog

In 2020, New Mobility magazine ranked UW-Whitewater fifth nationally in wheelchair friendly campuses.[1] This honor reflects more than 50 years of dedication to improving the accessibility of campus for all Whitewater students. Although campus officials were concerned with accessibility before the 1970s, movement towards reform found significant support under the guidance of Chancellor James R. Connor.

On October 7^th, 1974, Chancellor Connor and eleven other campus and community members participated in an Awareness Day activity hosted by the Students of an Accessible Society organization. To participate in this activity, Chancellor Connor completed his daily tasks on campus while using a wheelchair in order to have a better understanding of the struggles faced by the university’s mobility restricted students.[2] The experience identified numerous accessibility problems throughout campus including building access, water fountain height, and restroom layout and design.[3] The identification of these problems immediately sparked actions towards reform. By the week of October 23^rd, public telephones had been lowered, and a new ramp was constructed into Hyer Hall.[4] In November, disabled students found more inclusion in sports and activities with the introduction of wheelchair basketball.[5] Finally, by December, the university was granted a budget of $148,000 dollars to make buildings more accessible.[6]

The program on October 7^th sparked an initial round of reform, but many improvements have enhanced Whitewater’s accessibility in the years since. It is that continued dedication that has allowed UW-Whitewater to become one of the most accessible campuses in the nation.

[1] Craig Schreiner, “UW-Whitewater a top-5 mobility-friendly campus in the nation,” last modified January 21, 2021, https://www.uww.edu/news/archive/2021-01-wheelchair-friendly-campus

[2] Marge Ernst, “Problems roll in Awareness Day,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.) Oct. 9, 1974.

[3] “Experience Not Easy Connor’s Wheelchair,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.) Oct. 10, 1974.

[4] “Awareness? Yes!” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.) Oct. 23, 1974.

[5] “Handicapped eye ‘cage’ fame,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.) Nov. 13, 1974.

[6] Marge Ernst, “Inzeo Relates Energy Idea,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.) Dec. 4, 1974.

Construction of the Irvin L Young Auditorium at the University of Wisconsin -Whitewater began in 1991 but was not completed until 1993. The lengthy project was a significant endeavor that ended up costing around $9.3 million. However, this cost was covered by donations from the Irvin L. Young Foundation, fundraising efforts, and even a contribution from UW-W students. The result was a beautifully designed auditorium with enough space to hold up to 1,300 guests.[1] All that was left was for the shows to begin.

Although construction was completed earlier in the year, the Young Auditorium’s dedicatory season did not commence until the fall. The first event was held on September 20, 1993. On Monday night, UW-W Cultural Affairs presented “Sunday in the Park with George,” a Broadway musical based on Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The play had two acts: one that depicted Seurat’s experience as he painted his well-known masterpiece and another, set in the future, that explored the more modern perspective of Seurat’s descendants.[2] Before the play, the university also introduced a new pre-show series. Titled “Dessert and…”, the pre-show events offered audience members a chance to arrive early and enjoy extra entertainment or lectures. Before the “Sunday in the Park with George” showing, UW-W professor and local artist Lawrence Harrison introduced Georges Seurat by giving a history of his life and work.[3] Overall, the art-focused play and pre-show event provided the perfect opening for the new auditorium’s first full season.

[1] “Young Auditorium Construction Lauded,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), February 25, 1993.

[2] Laurie Mersch, “Cultural Affairs Presents First Event in New Auditorium,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.), September 15, 1993.

[3] “Sunday in the Park with George,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), September 9, 1993.

When students of the Whitewater Normal School returned for classes in September of 1907, they noticed a new addition to the campus layout. Earlier in the spring, President Salisbury posted an advertisement in the local newspaper inquiring about pioneer-era log houses in the area surrounding Whitewater.[1] Right before the school year began, President Salisbury found a suitable house and moved it to campus. The log house, donated by the Halverson family, was placed on the hill behind the Old Main building. Although Old Main may be gone, the old log cabin still sits on the same hill overlooking the University Center. The Halverson log house was moved to the Normal School to be protected and preserved while also serving as a museum of pioneer-life for Whitewater students and the local community. Work quickly began to fix any weaknesses in the building’s structure, which included installing a new roof.[2] As the semester continued, donations and participation from the community allowed for the addition of period-specific furniture and a working fireplace.[3] Finally, by December, the old log house was ready for more than just simple walk-throughs. The Normal School faculty hosted an event that included food, music, and even some pioneer appropriate costumes.[4]

[1] “Wanted, a Log House,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), Apr. 26, 1907.

[2] “That Log House,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), Sept. 6, 1907.

[3] “The Alumni,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.), October, 1907.

[4] “The Alumni,” Royal Purple (Whitewater, WI.), December, 1907.

On August 17^th, 1876, the Whitewater Register published a series of letters that praised a man named William F. Phelps.[1] These letters were published only a short time after President Arey, the school’s first President, unexpectedly retired from his role in June.[2] Prior to the 17^th, the Normal School had announced their decision of hiring Professor Phelps to fill the role made available by President Arey. The letters showed that Professor Phelps had a stunning reputation and seemed like the perfect candidate to fill the school’s recently vacated position. Phelps had previous experience in the presidential role at the Normal schools in Winona, Minnesota, and Trenton, New Jersey.[3] Everything seemed to be falling into place for President Phelps, but things quickly changed.

Unfortunately for Phelps, the Board of Regents would call for his resignation before he could even complete his second year as acting president.[4] The strong attitude and fierce determination that landed Phelps the job also ultimately lead to his removal. After only one year as president, many of the students became dissatisfied with the way Phelps managed the school. They grew so dissatisfied that the entire junior class of 1876-1877, as well as some underclassmen, decided not to return to Whitewater the next year. Fortunately, long-time members of the faculty were able to convince the students to stay.[5] However, the issues did not stop there.

By January of 1878, more issues had arisen. First, the students began to again consider leaving the school for other opportunities. Then the faculty began to express concern with Phelps’ style of administration. Eventually, the teachers and staff began looking for new openings or asking for transfers to other institutions. Thus, the Board of Regents was forced to act. On January 30^th, the board passed a resolution that called for all ties to be cut with President Phelps at the conclusion of the school year.[6] However, the Normal School quickly recovered and was ready to start anew under the leadership of J.W. Stearns.[7] Fortunately, the school returned to normal and continued to grow into the University seen today.

[1] “President Phelps,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 17, 1876.

[2] Albert Salisbury, Historical Sketches of The First Quarter-Century of The State Normal School At Whitewater, Wisconsin With A Catalogue of Its Graduates And A Record of Their Work: 1868-1893,(Madison: Tracy, Gibbs & Co, 1893) https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFMLJNVST2GMHT85/pages/A4Y246BY6D5TQG9D.

[3] “New President of Whitewater Normal School,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 10, 1876.

[4] Albert Salisbury, Historical Sketches of The First Quarter-Century of The State Normal School At Whitewater, Wisconsin With A Catalogue of Its Graduates And A Record of Their Work: 1868-1893,(Madison: Tracy, Gibbs & Co, 1893) https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AFMLJNVST2GMHT85/pages/A4Y246BY6D5TQG9D.

[5] “Regent Chandler Reviews the Normal School Case,” Whitewater Register (Whitewater, WI.), August 8, 1878.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.