Willard Straight Hall

Willard Straight Hall is the student union building on the central campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Conceived as a memorial to Willard Dickerman Straight, its construction was initiated by his widow, Dorothy Payne Whitney Straight, with the aim of enriching student life. Designed by architect William Adams Delano in a Gothic Revival style and built from local "llenroc" bluestone, the hall opened in November 1925 after 20 months of construction. From its inception, the building has housed social, cultural, and recreational spaces for students, and its policies have been set by a student-led governing board. The hall has been the site of notable events in Cornell's history, including the April 1969 protest by African-American students during a period of racial tension on campus, which influenced the creation of the University Senate, changes to the Board of Trustees, a new judicial system, and the establishment of the Africana Studies and Research Center. It has continued to serve as a hub for student activities, evolving to include dining facilities, performance and meeting spaces, and offices for student organizations.

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