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A Photographic History of Oregon State University

Campus Life and Culture

A new aspect of college life for students studying agriculture in the late 1880s was the requirement to work on the college farm for five hours a week during fall and spring terms. During winter term, students worked in the mechanical shop. This work was largely unpaid, though students who worked beyond the required five hours received fifteen cents per hour. By 1900 the students, although still required to work on the farm and in the shop, received compensation for that work.

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Students haying on the college farm, ca. 1890. One aspect of student life at OAC in the late 19th century was the requirement that agriculture students work five hours per week on the farm or in the garden during fall and spring terms. According to the 1890-91 college catalog, students received no pay for this work, but the “labor will be made instructive as far as possible.” During winter term, students worked in the mechanical shops. This photo was taken along the southern boundary of the original college farm. Sitting on the farm implement and holding a haying fork is E.E. Wilson, Class of 1889, who was enrolled as a post-graduate student in 1890-91. (P25:1288)
Students and faculty assembled in the Administration Building, ca. 1905. The assembly hall, sometimes referred to as the chapel, was located in the middle of the second floor of what is now Benton Hall. In the first few years after the building was opened, the space was used for chapel services, which students were required to attend. It was also used for general assemblies, as well as lectures and musical performances. This area later became the library reading room. (P16:699)
Marian Stebbinger playing the chimes, 1947. The chimes, located in Benton Hall, were a gift of the alumni association and could be heard twice daily. In 1957 Oregon State raised funds for a carillon, which was installed in the Memorial Union. For many years the carillon has chimed out the Fight Song and the Alma Mater at 5:00 p.m. each day. The carillon was automated in the 1990s with a digital sound system. (HC 726)
Campus Recycling crew, 1992. Recycling and other sustainability issues have been part of OSU’s campus culture for many years. During World War II, OSC students regularly participated in scrap metal drives and recycling of nylon stockings – materials badly needed for the war effort. Today’s Campus Recycling program was established as a part of Property Management Dept. in 1979, and originally focused on paper recycling. Campus Recycling’s current program is very comprehensive, and includes paper, metal, glass, plastic, cardboard, batteries, and computer/electronics recycling, collection of compostable food waste and packaging material, and educational events to inform the campus community about sustainability and waste reduction. (P57, Accession 2006:046)