A look back: student protest, dorm fee increases and more

Take a look back at various points in history

a look back logo

Dead week is one of the most stressful weeks for students at the University of Idaho. This is true today just as it was back in the 90s.  

Looking back to see what was going on in past years is a great way to gain insight into what the world used to be like. UI’s Library has a website that includes PDFs of printed issues of The Argonaut. Anyone can look through these at any time. 

Here are some hand-picked articles from various points in The Argonaut’s history. Click here to see all of the other articles in this series. 

May 10, 1940

In 1940 there were over 83,000 books at the UI library. Compare that to the over 1,000,000 books and other forms of online and print information the library currently has. This shows the growth the library has undergone since then.  

May 10, 1940 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 15, 1951

This article discusses the rifle team meeting and starting to practice their craft. The interesting thing about this article is it’s about the women’s rifle team. 

May 15, 1951 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 11, 1956

Formals are a staple within the Greek community at UI. This article previews the only all -campus formal. Typically, attendance to the formal would cost students $3. However, that year, tickets were reduced to $1.50. The proceeds went to a child whose father was injured by a hand grenade in the war and whose mother was hospitalized for two years with tuberculosis.

May 11, 1956 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 16, 1969

Anytime there is an increase in rates for education or room and board, it typically is not received well because college is so expensive. This article details the reasons for a 5% increase for room and board rates.

In the article, UI financial vice president at the time, Sherman Carter, told The Argonaut, “When you consider the overall costs involved for board and room, this five percent increase in room rates is not too much. Of course, there is a higher room rate for Theophilus Tower next fall, because the individual rooms have their own phones.”

May 16, 1969 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 12, 1978

Beginning that fall, spectators could no longer carry alcohol into the Kibbie Dome. Steps to implement this policy began at the end of 1977. The rest of the article explains the policy and how it affected residence halls and Greek houses.

May 12, 1978 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 10, 1991

This opinion piece argues that UI needed to give students a break from work during “dead week” or no exam week. This week was one of the busiest for all students back then just as it is today. It also argues that if students were allowed a true dead week, they would need to not abuse it to show it was really needed.  

May 10, 1991 | Argonaut Digital Collection

May 9, 2003

On this day 200 students showed up outside of the Administration Building to protest financial decisions made by the university. At the time, flyers were passed out to encourage students to join in on the protest.

May 9, 2003 | Argonaut Digital Collection

Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole

About the Author

Nicole Hindberg I am a journalism major graduating in fall 2020. I write for LIFE and Opinion for The Argonaut.

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