A time for rebuilding

For almost 100 years, students and faculty have passed through the Campus Y.

The building in the heart of campus has been part of the lives of some of the University’s most influential movers and shakers, including author Thomas Wolfe. It also benefited the common student as one of UNC’s main social buildings — and, most recently, as a mini mart.

The only thing that hasn’t changed is the building itself, which has remained the same since it was built in 1907.

But on Friday, students, faculty and alumni came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of renovations to the building.

Several speakers highlighted the Campus Y’s importance to the community and expressed their happiness to see efforts to gain funds for the renovation come to fruition.

In his speech, Chancellor James Moeser referred to the Campus Y as a sacred space that stores and transmits culture.

“The Campus Y tells us who we are,” he said.

Renovations to the building will begin in May and are expected to take a year.

Gaining permission and funding for the building was not an easy venture.

“The odds … were very much stacked against this day,” said UNC Provost Emeritus Dick Richardson.

When the Board of Trustees saw the proposal for renovation in 1998, it agreed to allow construction as long as the $4.3 million needed came from private donations.

Campus Y officials managed to raise $3 million in six years before requesting additional funding because they were concerned that the building was deteriorating. Trustees granted that request.

“The Y has contributed so much to this University,” said Elizabeth Sonntag, former co-president of the Campus Y. “This is something the students deserve to have back.”

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, students and alumni gathered in Gerrard Hall for an open forum during which past members spoke about their experiences.

Sonntag said the event was enlightening and gave her a chance to see where the Campus Y has been in the past.

Stephen Lassiter, co-president of the Campus Y, also said the experience was beneficial.

“To hear people talk about their experiences was encouraging,” he said, adding that the opportunity made him realize what an honor it is to be co-president.

The main lounge on the first floor will be a memorial to Susan Bitler Phelps, one of the biggest supporters of the Campus Y’s fund-raising efforts for the renovations. She died in 2002 after battling cancer at the age of 43.

Her family and friends spearheaded the memorial drive, which has raised more than $300,000. Members of her family attended the ceremony.

“What people do here is so critically important,” said Jim Phelps, husband of the late Susan Bitler Phelps.

Moeser also said the Campus Y’s presence at the University says a lot about the spirit of the institution.

He attended the University of Texas-Austin and participated in the Campus Y while in school.

In his speech, Moeser said that when he visited his alma mater, he found that the organization had disbanded.

He said UNC’s Campus Y reinforces the importance of idealism and activism to the University.

“I think we’re all proud to be a part of it.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.