Bruce Hall (University of North Texas)

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Bruce Hall, University of North Texas
Image:Bruce_Hall_Roach.jpg
             
Full name Bruce Hall
Mascot Roach
Type Fully-catered, co-educational
Named after Dr. William Herschel Bruce
Established 1947
Hall Director Tracy Johnson
Assistant Hall Director Margaret Lamar
Association Bruce Hall Association
President Keith Hermes
Location The corner of Sycamore and Ave. C, in the middle of campus.
Residents 492
Website http://web2.unt.edu/bha/
This article is about the residence hall at the University of North Texas. For alternate uses, see Bruce Hall (disambiguation)

Bruce Hall is a co-ed residence hall located at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Opened in February 1947, it is the oldest facility on that campus still operated as a dormitory.

Contents

[edit] Layout and Structure

Bruce Hall is located at the center of the UNT campus, on the corner of Avenue C and Chestnut Streets. The building was designed by architect George Dahl, best-known for numerous buildings and monuments in Dallas, TX, including the Neiman-Marcus flagship store and Dealey Plaza.

The building contains eleven wings of mostly resident rooms, mixed with various activity areas, utility rooms, and lounges. Each wing is unisex and features a centrally-located community bathroom with an average of five toilet stalls and five showers. Two handicapped-accessible rooms are found on the A200 wing. A resident assistant lives in a room at the center of the hallway.

Unlike other buildings on campus, Bruce Hall features a pitched roof instead of a horizontal flat surface. This reddish-brown roof is broken up with small windows that lead into the attics on top. It was originally considered two dormitories within one building and divided internally into northern and southern halves.

[edit] Wing Names

At the beginning of each semester, each resident assistant is encouraged to coin a nickname for their wing. This is done to generate identity and a sense of community. Over the years, some of the wings have utilized traditional names that date back a number of years:

Wing Nickname
A200 The Sanctuary
A300 BΣT, The Country Club
B100 The Ghetto, The Legendary B100
C300 Archer Ave.
D300 The Rebel Alliance

[edit] Organizations

A number of student organizations have been based at Bruce Hall during its existence. Currently, the Bruce Hall Association (BHA) is an in-hall organization recognized as official by university administration. All members of Bruce Hall are automatically members, who annually elect four officers to represent them in the campus-wide Residence Hall Association (a fifth officer is appointed by the remaining four). Each year, BHA organizes a number of traditional annual programs, including the Bruce Jam and the Haunted House.

At one time or another, the following in-hall organizations whose recognized as official, but such status has since expired:

  • BΣT: based on the A300 wing was founded in 1977 as the Country Club.
  • The Rebel Alliance: based on the D300 wing, its memebership was limited to its male residents along with their partners. Because of its adjacent location, female residents of the B300 wing had also been traditionally included

Finally, there exists R.O.A.R., an unofficial student organization which stands for Royal Order and Army of the Roach. Founded in 1996 by Elder Hesters and Elder G. Members dressed themselves from head to toe in black clothing, going so far as to completely hide their faces with black masks and hoods. They portrayed themselves as the nameless embodiments of the community's spirit and could often be found at hall association meetings around campus, offering both comic relief and support.

[edit] Ghosts

Bruce Hall has a local reputation for paranormal activity thanks to its famous ghosts. Wanda and The Boiler Room Ghost have garnered the most regional acclaim (Wanda is said to be found behind the always locked attic door next to room D418), although residents have reported encounters with additional spirits.

[edit] Miscellaneous

The unofficial symbol for the community is the “Celtic Roach”, so-called because its intricate design evokes the weave patterns found in Celtic symbols. It was originally designed by former BHA Treasurer Rebecca Watkins.

Outside of Bruce Hall on its southwest corner is a time capsule buried during the building’s 50th anniversary celebration. It contains one item from each resident and staff member. Its marker states it should be opened April 9, 2047

[edit] Famous Alumni

[edit] Individuals

  • Norah Jones (lived on the C400 wing)
  • Meatloaf (unconfirmed)
  • Don Henley (unconfirmed)

[edit] Bands

  • Last Rites: members of this band eventually went on to form other bands such as Slow Roosevelt, Ugly Mustard, Caulk, and Goo Goo Dolls
  • Mugzu
  • Mingo Fishtrap

[edit] External links

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