Hoyt Conference Center

Item

Building Name

Hoyt Conference Center

Description

The Hoyt Conference Center and Towers Residential complex were constructed in 1969 to house ever-growing numbers of students at the university. The construction cost approximately $6.25 million to construct. The university financed the project through the sale of self-liquidating bonds. Like many of the other dormitories on campus, the buildings surround a courtyard. The fourth side of the court is closed by the Conference Center which at one time contained dining commons 3. Prior to 1976, Eastern had to apply for a 24-hour permit in order to serve alcoholic beverages. In 1977, the state legislature enacted a new law granting restricted licenses a measure championed by State Representative Gary Owen, (D) Ypsilanti. That year, EMU received the first Class C liquor license at a university in the state. Then new license allowed EMU to serve beer, wine and liquor at its regularly scheduled conference center activities. The University was enthusiastic about these possibilities, but was emphatic that the license did not extend to over the counter liquor sales. James Mathias, director of McKenny Union and University conferences explained, "An awful lot of business that the university may have had has traditionally been taken off campus because the sponsors wanted liquor. We'd be able to appeal to all kinds of potential convention planners who want liquor served at their activities." Attitudes about liquor on campus changed in the next two decades, and in September of 1996, the state attorney general ruled that it was illegal to grant such a license to an institution on state-owned land. Today, the conference no longer serves alcohol, but continues to host events and conferences. Today, Hoyt Conference Center houses a small grocery store for students as well as the Department of Public Safety.

Building Namesake

Charles Oliver Hoyt, Professor of Pedagogy, Head of Education Department, 1896-1928

Year Constructed

1969

Date Dedicated

October 1969

Building Functions

Department of Public Safety Head Quarters, Opened September 22, 2009

Architect

K.F. Leinninger Association, Birmingham, MI

Original Cost

$6,250,000

Architectural Style

Brutalist

Square Footage

12,000

Rights

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).

Item sets

Campus Buildings

Media

Hoyt Conference Center