'FEE ?UCHIGtAiAV AtLY FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1955 isa riW W r I PAGE L IJUIL TAKES TWO TO TANGO: All-Male Union Precludes Anniversary Waltz "But My Friend Mr. Dulles Was Right Behind Me" DREW PEARSON: MOVING INTO its second half-century, the Michigan Union can justifiably point to a proud and worthy history. One of the first of its kind in the country, the Union came into existence as social cen- ter for men only. Then, in 1944, the number of women was still negligible, so the idea behind an all-male institution was not entirely re- strictive. However, the present is not as bright for the Union. Failing to drop the no-women tradition for many Sears after it had lost any practi- cality, it ceased to be a social center for any more than a handful of students and a tra- dition-entrenched alumni. In more recent. days, this policy has been modified, but not to the complete elimination needed. TOMORROW AT the Union Open House, the big story will be the future. The new adi- dition and partial renovation of the existing building certainly carry a promise. But it is a fallacy to believe that all the present Union setup needs is more pleasant surroundings. Some students even claim a pre- ference for dimly-lit table-carved surroundings. The main problem goes back to 1904. No organization can today hope to become a social center on' campus, unless it is strictly coeducational. That does not mean allowing women through the front door, or any other such courtesies. It entails admittance of women to student staffs and the organization of activities in which women can participate. OF COURSE the League is now necessary for women's activities. But 'separate and equal' facilities don't rectify the problem. On most Big Ten campuses, the Student Un- ion is satisfying this need for a campus social center, and none have attempted the problem through separate gathering spots for men and women. To be sure, a coed Union isn't going to solve all the problems. Men frequently complain of Union food, Union charges for many of its facilities, etc. These, too, are questions that must be solved, so that the student feels that he is getting more from his Union. THE STUDENT staffs have done excellent jobs in trying to overcome this with such ventures as theater-trips at lower cost, dances, and a variety of services including travel bur- eau, and football ticket exchanges. But what is lacking on campus and what students express as an important need is a social gathering spot. Tomorrow is a good day .to get acquainted over at the Union and hear of some of the promising plans of the future. Plans, we hope, that concentrate not on the needs of a 1904 mostly male campus, but the coed campus of today. ---Murry Frymer k" ' _s a ^1i r'' ,:, . z' i fi . _'i : - ; . ;. .,. : 1^ER seaoc -.