Demolition equipment is tearing down the Poplars Building, but no amount of construction efforts can destroy the foundation of what was built on the site.
For its first decade of its existence, the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs called the Poplars Research and Conference Center on the corner of Seventh Street and Dunn home. The facility initially opened as a luxury women’s dormitory complete with a swimming pool and fine dining facilities, but it didn’t draw many residents. It transitioned into a hotel in 1967, but again, it failed to draw attention.
Indiana University purchased the building in 1972, just in time for the newly established School of Public and Environmental Affairs, later to be named the O’Neill School, to move in. The school celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
“It was challenging,” Emeritus Associate Professor Frank Vilardo said during the school’s 40th anniversary celebration. “The library was half of the boiler room separated by a cardboard wall, which didn’t make fire safety officials very happy.”
Founding Dean Chuck Bonser remembers another unique characteristic of the early days.
“The way they had it set up was there were two rooms that shared a bathroom,” Bonser said at O’Neill’s 40th. “Everybody in SPEA had their own private bathroom, and we were close to Nick’s (English Hut) and a lot of good places to walk to for lunch. We had a good time.”
During the O’Neill School’s time at the Poplars, it shared space—at least for one night—with royalty. On June 26, 1974, Elvis Presley, the king of rock n’ roll, and his entourage took over the eighth floor of the Poplars Building. Elvis stayed just the one night, but it didn’t stop a crowd from forming hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous singer.
By the late 1970s, the O’Neill School was already building a reputation as a leader in public and environmental affairs education, and it quickly was outgrowing the Poplars Building. The school’s administration said a move was needed to help the students strengthen their bonds with IU.
“Since the Poplars is off-campus, it’s much harder for students to reach,” said Lu Burke, then-assistant dean. “Students don’t get the feeling of unity.”
O’Neill’s time at the Poplars came to an end in 1982 with the move to its current location on 10th Street.
“The Poplars has little adaptability for academic purposes,” Bonser said when the move was announced. “Its facilities range from barely adequate offices to non-existent classrooms and laboratories. The new building, which will be ideally located near the main library and many of the residence halls, will provide much needed classrooms and laboratories, as well as allow for expansion of the school’s study, research, and library facilities.”
The Poplars served a number of capacities over the ensuing decades, including housing various administrative functions of IU, and what will become of the space is still uncertain. What can never be erased, however, is the fact the No. 1-ranked public affairs school in the country began its rise in humble surroundings.
“Imagine starting life in the Poplars,” Professor Emeritus Eugene “Bill” McGregor said. “You would be tucked away in this hotel for a number of years only to become, eventually, a famous public affairs school.”
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