The University of Hartford in the 1970s was a campus of contrasts and growth. Having officially formed from the merger of three older institutions in 1957, the university spent the decade solidifying its identity. It was a place where students of electronics and engineering crossed paths with those from the acclaimed Hartt School of music and the Hartford Art School, all on a 350-acre campus that was once one of the last working farms in the city.
Campus Hubs and Student Life
Daily life for many students centered around the Gengras Student Union. This building was the heart of campus activity, housing the offices for the official student newspaper, The Informer, as well as other student-run organizations. It served as a primary social space, containing a cafeteria and food court where students gathered between classes. For those living on campus, the university was in a period of transition, continuing the push that began in the 1960s to shift from a commuter school to a more residential one.
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The university’s academic structure was a collection of distinct colleges. Alongside programs in business, education, and technology, the Hartford Art School and the Hartt School maintained their strong, historic identities. The Hartt School, in particular, was a source of cultural energy on campus. In 1970, it acquired a new Gress-Miles pipe organ, and throughout the decade hosted the International Contemporary Organ Music Festival, drawing composers and musicians from around the world. Recordings from the university archives show a schedule of events that included master classes with jazz saxophonist Jackie McLean in 1974 and a 50th-anniversary concert featuring classical violinist Pinchas Zukerman in 1971.
A Politically Aware Campus
The decade began in a climate of student activism. The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) had an active chapter at the university, and students were engaged in the national conversation, particularly concerning the Vietnam War. This political awareness was reflected in student media, including publications like the UH NEWS Liberated Press, which documented campus activism at the turn of the decade. This environment meant that political and social discussions were a common feature of campus life.
The Hartford College for Women
A significant and unique part of the University of Hartford experience in the 1970s was the Hartford College for Women (HCW). Operating as one of the university’s colleges, HCW was recognized nationally, at one point being rated the number two junior college in the United States. It focused on providing a strong liberal arts foundation and was known for cultivating a diverse student body and a supportive community.
Life at HCW reflected the changing times. The formal dress code requiring skirts was abolished, and student fashion embraced the contemporary styles of the era. Students wore jeans, tie-dye shirts, peasant blouses, and bell-bottomed pants. The college fostered a close-knit environment where students gathered in the sunroom of Butterworth Hall for informal discussions or played guitar in the gardens.
Academics and Atmosphere
The academic mission of the University of Hartford was broad from its beginning, designed to serve the needs of the region with programs in both technical fields and the liberal arts. The 1970s saw the leadership of President Archibald Woodruff, who served until 1977, followed by Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. The institution’s structure allowed students to pursue a range of studies, from engineering at Ward College of Technology to music at Hartt or business at the Barney School. This variety shaped the student body, creating a diverse population with a wide array of academic and professional goals.
