Towers Complex--Bender Hall and Dancer Hall (1967)

In spring 1966, it was announced the new dorm would be a 14-story high rise for men. Construction would begin in November 1966 and the building would be ready for occupancy in fall 1967. Architects and campus officials debated whether it would be the traditional red brick and limestone style or a more modern style with concrete, steel and glass. 

Reactions to the plans were mixed. Professor Josef Fox criticized the proposed building in the College Eye student newspaper, saying, "I simply cannot understand a mind that wants to build a skyscraper in the middle of a cornfield." Fox called for a meeting, although only a few attended. The planning administrators defended their recommendations, advocating that the location and smaller footprint of a high rise would save space for instructional buildings on the central portion of campus. The design of the new dormitory would feature a single central hallway, limiting the disruptive pass-through traffic of other campus buildings. Additionally, using caissons in the foundation construction would be more economical than the continuous footings of traditional buildings. Furthermore, individual floors of the high rise would facilitate social units. 

In May 1966, the Regents approved preliminary plans for the new high rise dormitory, although one Regent called it "a shock to the skyline." Designed by Smith, Voorhees, and Jensen Architects Associated of Des Moines, it would be white concrete with vertical lines and tinted glass. The footprint would be 50 feet x 150 feet, with 12 x 14 foot rooms. To meet the $2.88 million budget, the architects planned 13 instead of 14 levels and eliminated in-room restrooms, although these were added back to later plans. The final plans would be presented to the Regents in September, followed by a 30-40 day window for bids, and estimated completion by spring 1968. 

However, in October 1966, UNI officials told the Regents a single building would not meet anticipated enrollment growth. They proposed constructing a second identical tower, creating a new complex with two high rises and its own dining center. The dining center would also have the capacity to serve a third tower. The $25,000 already spent on planning a shared Campbell Hall dining center would be lost, but the university would save significant money by using the same high rise plan for the second tower. The Regents approved preliminary plans for the altered arrangement and budgeted $6.15 million.

In February 1967, the Regents approved final plans and a budget of $6.2 million for a complex consisting of a dining center and two 13-level dormitories, each accommodating about 600 students. Construction began the same month with projected completion in fall 1968. In July 1967, the Regents approved an increased budget of $6.32 million. In August 1967, they gave the name Towers Complex to the project. They also decided to honor long-time Regents secretary David A. Dancer by naming the east hall after him. On November 9, 1967, the Regents approved naming the west tower in honor of Paul F. Bender, a faculty member from 1921 to 1964. Bender was Dean of Men from 1948 until 1952 and Dean of Students from 1952 until 1964; he also coached track, wrestling, and football at various points in his career.

In fall 1967, construction was progressing, and UNI asked the contractor to make special effort to complete at least the west tower by fall 1968. The discussion on a third tower continued. Marshall Beard, Registrar and planning administrator, stated "A third dormitory to house 800 students is in the planning stage."

On February 12, 1968, about 75 physical plant workers walked off their jobs for two hours. On February 20, nearly all the physical plant workers struck and set up picket lines. Workers on the Towers project refused to cross the picket lines and construction halted. On February 24, the university obtained a temporary injunction which limited picketing, and work on the Towers proceeded. In March, high winds caused exterior and roof work delays. On March 14, a small fire damaged wiring and hoses in part of the project. 

Prospects diminished for fall 1968 occupancy, and administrators began making contingency plans for student housing. Assistant to the President Daryl Pendergraft stated the university was considering tripling existing dormitory rooms, using recreation rooms, or locating off-campus housing for the first few weeks of the fall 1968 semester. Additionally, it was possible students could occupy completed floors of the building while other parts were still under construction. 

At the start of fall 1968, neither tower was complete. The occupancy date for Bender Hall, the men’s unit, was predicted as mid-November or December, and the Dancer Hall, the women’s unit, was to open in June 1969. In current dorms, Baker Hall was 75% over capacity and Rider and Shull Halls were 55% over capacity. Twenty-three women lived in the lofts of Bartlett Hall and Lawther Hall. 

Although most of the building was still under construction, 200 men moved into floors nine through 12 of Bender Hall in January 1969. The new residents had no phones and shared elevators with construction crews. Bad weather slowed work on the dining center, so residents went to the Commons for meals. In April 1969, the Cedar Falls Fire Department stated it believed it hazardous to allow residents to occupy the top floors of Bender Hall while the bottom floors were still under construction; however, the university took precautions to allay these concerns. 

In March 1969, the Regents authorized UNI to begin negotiations with an architect for a third Towers Complex housing unit, similar in design to the first two. The building would cost about $2.9 million and stand on the south side of the complex. By September 1969, UNI officials expressed concerns whether a third unit could be occupied at a rate necessary to pay off bonds to finance the project. They cited rising construction costs, a potential decline in enrollment, fluctuating regulations regarding student residence requirements, and changing attitudes toward living in dormitories. Consequently, President J.W. Maucker proposed a one-year moratorium on dormitory construction, which the Regents approved. During that time, the university planned to study needs, attitudes, preferences and the effects of more liberal policies regarding required residence in dormitories. 

Bender Hall was completed for the fall 1969 semester. The completion date for Dancer Hall was predicted for November 1, 1969. There were 234 women tripled in rooms in Bartlett, Lawther, and Campbell Halls. An additional 200 women were housed temporarily in Baker Hall. Ventilation system installation caused further delays, and completion was pushed to the start of spring 1970.

Although Dancer Hall was still incomplete, the university held a Towers Complex dedication on October 26, 1969 in the Towers Center. David Dancer and Paul Bender spoke at the ceremony.

At the beginning of spring 1970, women finally moved into the completed Dancer Hall. Each of the new towers had 314 rooms, with total accommodations for 606 students. The lowest two levels were devoted to service, recreation and administrative functions, while the upper 11 levels were residential. Rooms were carpeted and featured some built-ins, but the furniture was mostly moveable to allow flexible arrangements.

After both Bender and Dancer Halls were completed, throughout the 1970s they encountered changes and debates surrounding dormitory life. These included co-ed living arrangements, 24-hour visitation, and layering - alternating floors with men’s and women’s units. 

In spring 1972, the Student Senate recommended the second and third floors of Dancer Hall should house both men and women: men would live on one side of the halls and women would live on the other. Current residents could find other accommodations or apply to live under the new arrangement. Men and women would apply to live on the Dancer Hall co-ed floors and successful applicants would be randomly selected. Each had to be at least 19 years old and have lived in a UNI dormitory for at least one semester. The UNI Administrative Council narrowly approved the recommendation, 10-9, and then the Regents approved it, 5-3. The plan was implemented in fall 1972. Regular surveys found the residents favored the arrangement and liked the “friendly, unguarded atmosphere." 

Despite the initial effort and controversy in establishing the two co-ed floors, interest waned. In spring 1973, a Dancer Hall woman wrote to the Northern Iowan urging students to sign up for the co-ed arrangement. Appeals appeared regularly in the student newspaper over the next several years. Students living in other parts of the residence hall system were reluctant to switch from their established units, and were unsure of the university’s continued commitment to co-ed arrangements. 

By room sign-up time in spring 1975, residence hall administrators announced if there was not a significant increase in the number of students requesting the co-ed arrangement, third floor Dancer would be converted back to a women's floor. The relative lack of interest in co-ed living resulted in a single occupancy rate of about 80% on those two floors of Dancer Hall. Across campus, the rate was about 20%. Signing up for the co-ed arrangement provided a strong chance of getting a single room. The president of Dancer Co-ed stated she believed the university was deliberately under-publicizing co-ed living, noting UNI housing literature called Dancer Hall a women's dormitory.

In January 1976, the Residence Hall Association proposed a new living arrangement for the Towers Complex. Generally termed “layering,” it would exchange the odd-numbered floors of Bender and Dancer Halls; the result would be alternating floors of men and women in two buildings. If there was sufficient interest in maintaining it, Dancer Co-ed could remain and the second level of Bender Hall may also become co-ed. 

There were also discussions about 24-hour visitation. In its broadest terms, 24-hour visitation allowed men and women to visit each other's dormitory rooms at any time. In practice, various limitations were considered: limiting the policy to certain dormitories, certain days of the week, or requiring guests be escorted to the floor they intended to visit. The policy produced strong debate between students and administrators. Eventually, President John Kamerick approved a policy allowing 24-hour visitation on a two-year trial basis for two residence halls. A hall would need to approve the policy by a two-thirds majority to be considered for participation. Rider Hall and Dancer Hall were randomly selected as the trial units. 

Layering floors continued to be debated. The Residence Hall Association proposed it again in December 1977 and arranged for a January 1978 vote requiring a two-thirds majority. Bender Hall voted 88% in favor of layering and Dancer Hall voted 59%. Some Dancer Hall residents petitioned for a second vote, and on that ballot Dancer Hall voted 68% in favor. After layering was instituted, residents in the neighborhood east of Dancer Hall lodged complaints about loud music. Dancer Hall residents noted more noise and traffic in the building. However, a majority thought the new arrangement was positive and said they would return to Dancer Hall for another year. 

Shortly before layering was implemented in fall 1978, repairs were made to Bender Hall and new carpet and furnishings were installed in certain areas. In October 1981, the Bender Hall store opened after two years of planning. It featured pizza and pop and was open every evening except Saturday. 

In 1982, the Towers Center received roof repairs as well as new carpet and paint. Some floors of Bender and Dancer Halls also received new corridor carpet. Work also began on an emergency power system as well as installing newly-mandated smoke detectors in every room, which had an August 1984 deadline. 

In August 1987, a computer lab opened in the Towers Center. It included 42 computers. Twelve were networked, and three had 20MB hard drives. The lab cost about $75,000, with one third of funding from residence hall funds and two thirds from student fees. 

Window seals were a persistent maintenance issue. In 1992, some Bender Hall residents said their windows leaked so badly rain pooled on the carpets; several projects sought to address these problems. In summer 1995, the pedestrian bridge in Towers Center was replaced. In 1997, new data and communication lines were installed in anticipation of network connections in residence hall rooms. In January 1998, an ATM was installed near the Towers Computer Lab. In November of that year, 70 mph winds blew portions of the Bender Hall roof membrane loose and hanging to the 6th floor. It eventually tore and fell to the ground. Damage was estimated at approximately $75,000 and was repaired in several days. 

In summer 1999, work began on exterior repairs and a two-year Towers Center plaza improvement project. The new plaza would have more landscaping and less concrete, with an outdoor seating area and dining pavilion. 

In November 1998, the Department of Residence had announced plans for alternating men’s and women’s rooms on one floor in each of the Towers. Residence hall administrator Lyn Redington said this in response to requests for additional living options. When the arrangement was implemented in fall 1999, the 11th and 12th floors of Bender Hall were selected for this option. Only upperclassmen or transfers would be accepted for these floors. Third-year resident assistants would provide staffing, and there would be one female and one male executive officer. 

In October 1999, an unattended candle in a Dancer Hall room caused a fire which resulted in about $60,000 of damages. On December 26, 1999, a transformer on the roof of Bender Hall exploded and caused damage to the transformer housing.

In late fall 2002, bids occurred for an $8.5 million Towers Center project, including new equipment and HVAC system. The renovation took place during the 2003-2004 year, with the Campbell Hall dining facilities opening while work was underway. In spring 2003, the Department of Residence announced the top four floors of Dancer and Bender Halls would close due to general lower occupancy in the dorms, as well as the Towers Dining renovation. They hoped occupancy rates would rise after its completion.

In fall 2004, the top four floors of both Towers were re-opened to compensate for Shull Hall’s closure during renovation. In spring 2004, officials announced Student Health Services would be located in Dancer Hall during the renovation and new construction on the Student Health Center building.

For more information about the Towers Complex, visit https://uhd.uni.edu/.