Jones Residence Hall · EMU Archives

Building Name

Jones Residence Hall

Description

As the student body continued to grow following the second World War, the University realized the need for more housing. At the same time, funding remained tight. A slight increase in rent would cover the building of new housing. Jones and Goddard were built as part of the college's self-liquidating campaign and intended to be paid for and sustained by the revenue from dorm room rental. Combined with King and Goodison, Goddard and Jones accommodated 1,200 women, enough to make the new payment program viable. Like other residence complexes on campus, two dormitories formed a square around an enclosed central courtyard; however the interiors were slightly different. The architectural team, based room designs in part on the preferences shown by students who viewed sample plans of dorm rooms on display the winter before. Each suite of rooms held four students and included a private bath for each unit along with wood paneling as ornamentation.

Goddard and Jones were both made honors dorms in the 1980s. In 1988, a resident advisor (who worked in a different dormitory) set fire to Jones Hall, causing $10,000 in damages. This was one of several fires that broke out in the dorms around this time. The perpetrator was convicted of arson and sentenced to 1.5-10 years in prison. Jones stopped being used for student housing in 2005, and over the summer of 2024 Jones and Goddard were demolished and the site will be transformed into green space.

Namesake Biography

Lydia I. Jones was born in Middle Granville, New York, July 4, 1878, to Nathan and Ida DeKalb Jones. She received her B.Ph. from Cornell University in 1900, her M.A. from Columbia, and did further graduate work at the University of Chicago, Harvard, and Oxford. After graduation from college, she taught English in Olean, New York, three years later she was Perceptress of the Washington Irving High School, Tarrytown, New York. Later she was Dean of Women at State Teachers College, San Jose, California. In 1924, she came to Ypsilanti, where she served with honor for fifteen years. During her tenure at Michigan State Normal College, she taught summer school at both the University of California and the University of Michigan. Jones also served as Dean of Women at the Normal College. During her career the housing standard women was raised and paved the way for residence halls. The social life of the college reflected her high standard of courtesy and good taste. Under her guidance the women grew in power to evaluate their own conduct and activities. Their organization of the Women's League, of the class clubs, and of the Campus Sisters was a model for many of the teachers' colleges. Jones believed that democracy as a way of life should be developed in all student activities and she never faltered in her effort to prevent the tyranny of a few, however capable, and to aid all students to become increasingly self-directive for the common good. Because of her extensive travels in Europe she was able to give students, who were interested, an idea of the culture of other lands. To inspire them to travel, she sponsored the Travel Club. This was later incorporated into one of the class clubs. As a public speaker Jones showed rare ability. Full of idealism and imagination she presenter her subject matter clearly and with a delightful sense of humor that charmed her audience. Jones was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and of state and national educational organizations. From 1929-1931, she served the National Association of Deans of Women and was a member of the Executive Board. After twenty-five years of service as Dean of Women, Miss Jones was cited, upon her retirement, at the National Association of Deans of Women, in Cleveland, Ohio, February 1939, by Professor Sarah Sturtevant, Teachers College, and Columbia University. Lydia I. Jones died at her residence in Randolph, Vermont, February 4, 1958.

Building Namesake

Lydia I. Jones, Dean of Women, 1924 - 1939

Year Constructed

1948

Building Functions

Dormitory

Date Demolished

2024

Architect

R.S. Gerganoff, Ypsilanti, MI

Builder

O.W. Burke Company, Detroit, MI

Original Cost

976,767

Architectural Style

WPA Moderne

Square Footage

72,128

Rights

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