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From the Archives: Pangborn's Journey in Shaping Notre Dame's Co-Educational Era

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Diane Park | The Observer
The announcement on October 3, 2023, revealing the impending demolition of Pangborn Hall, brings to light the latest chapter in a long and storied history of transitions and transformations for this storied dormitory. Pangborn Hall, initially constructed as a men's dormitory in 1955, underwent various shifts before its forthcoming demolition. This dynamic evolution of Notre Dame's residential life connects the past with the present. In this article, we delve into the history of Pangborn's dorm conversions, bridging the gap between its historical transitions and its current demolition and relocation. Join us as we explore the twists and turns of Pangborn's history and witness the enduring spirit of change and tradition at Notre Dame.

A History of Pangborn’s Repeated Dorm Conversions

Winter 1954 | Staff of Notre Dame Magazine | Dec. 4, 1991 | Sandy Wiegand and Molly Yant | Dec. 5, 1991 | Alicia Reale | Dec. 10, 1991 | Mark Woodmansee | Jan. 13, 2016 | Margaret Hynds and Jack Rooney | Researched by Bryan Fok

The announcement on October 3, 2023, regarding the impending demolition of Pangborn Hall, does not mark the first time that residents have been required to relocate. In fact, Pangborn Hall has a rich history of transitions, originally serving as a men's dorm when constructed in 1955. It later transformed into a women's dorm in 1992, had a brief stint as a swing dorm, and eventually reverted to a men's dorm in 2021.Originally, Pangborn served as temporary housing for students due to the spike in enrollment caused by the G.I. Bill. At the time, Fr. Hesburgh commented that “Pangborn Hall will enable many students who formerly lived off-campus to share more fully in the life and spirit of Notre Dame.”
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Observer Archives, Dec. 4, 1991.
In 1991, the University announced that after nearly forty years of being a men's dorm, Pangborn would transition into a women's dorm. The Board of Trustees' decision to lift the 37 percent cap on female enrollment spurred this change, with the goal of creating a class consisting of 44 percent female and 56 percent male. Due to the increasing number of females, William Kirk, assistant vice president of Residence Life noted that the existing female dorms would not be able to accommodate the increase in students.
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Observer Archives, Dec. 5, 1991.
The news of the conversion did not bode well for the existing residents of Pangborn. Mike Ciampa ‘93 expressed disappointment in the announcement: “It feels like as if they are breaking up our little Notre Dame family.” The president of Pangborn at the time, Mark Woodmansee ‘93, decried the “lack of student and dorm input” in the decision. Subsequent conversions of Pangborn included more student input. In 2016, Pangborn embraced an inclusive approach as it assumed the role of a swing hall, providing temporary accommodation for dorms undergoing renovations. Existing residents actively participated in focus groups tasked with shaping the design of the forthcoming replacement dormitory. Students expressed their ideal dorm as "Mod Quad on the inside and Alumni and Dillon on the outside." In 2021, the university re-established Pangborn as a men's dormitory in response to the closure of Zahm House. As the university plans to demolish Pangborn to make way for a new women's dormitory, current residents will confront the profound significance of what Pangborn has represented to them.

The Ephemeral Dream: Co-Ed and Substance-Free Living in Pangborn Hall

Feb. 13, 1992 | John Daly & James Gannon | Feb. 28, 1992 | John Connorton | March 5, 1992 | Lisa Eaton | April 6, 1992 | Becky Barnes | Aug. 8, 1992 | David Kinney | Researched by Thomas Dobbs 

In the early 1990s, Notre Dame found itself at the crossroads of tradition and change as women were increasingly represented on campus. A spirited debate ensued as students and administrators grappled with the idea of introducing co-ed and substance-free housing on campus. While the proposal aimed to modernize dorm life and align with student preferences, it also stirred up a storm of controversy and uncertainty.

The Proposal That Rocked Notre Dame

In February 1992, a radical proposal emerged from the Notre Dame student body: Pangborn Hall, traditionally a male dormitory, should be converted into a coeducational residence without substance use. The students behind this bold initiative believed it would not only cater to student desires but also demonstrate their responsibility and maturity."We propose that, rather than becoming a female dorm, Pangborn Hall be turned into a chemical-free, coeducational dormitory. This novel concept would not only address student wants, but also provide students with the opportunity to show the University that we are responsible adults and that the administration's misgivings on the issue are unfounded," stated the proposal.
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Observer Archives, Feb. 13, 1992.
  While this idea may have seemed revolutionary, it wasn't entirely unprecedented. Previous reports, like the 1988 Task Force on Residency and the Task Force on Marriage, Family, and Sexuality, hadrecommended co-ed housing. The Hall Presidents Council also backed the idea unanimously, signaling a growing consensus among students for a shift in the campus living experience.

A Plea for Progress

In response to the proposal, some students took to the pages of The Observer to voice their support for co-ed housing. They argued that the notion that co-ed housing equated to promiscuity was unfounded and that the University could maintain its stance on pre-marital sex and parietals while offering students the choice of their living environment.
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Observer Archives, March 5, 1992.
"The idea that by removing chemicals from the dorm environment, all problems of dorm life will immediately disappear is equally as absurd. Alcohol is not the problem; it is the environment that people are forced to make decisions about alcohol consumption that creates problems," one op-ed piece penned by Lisa Eaton '93 argued.Eaton further argued that the proposal was not about endorsing alcohol-free sex but rather a compromise for progress. They questioned why the University couldn't meet students halfway when both the Hall Presidents' Council and Flanner Hall council had already expressed their support for co-ed housing.

Petitions and the Winds of Change

As the debate raged on, students mobilized further bycirculating a petition in April 1992. Approximately 2,000 students signed it, urging the University to introduce coresidentiality as the cap on the number of female students was raised from 37 to 44 percent. This increase would mean around 140 more female students per year, necessitating additional housing options.
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Observer Archives, April 6, 1992.
  The students behind the petition were the same group that had initially sought to convert Pangborn into a co-ed, chemical-free dormitory. Faced with limited support from the administration for that endeavor, they shifted their focus but continued to push for progress in housing options.

The Evolution of Pangborn Hall

Ultimately, the administration chose to fully convert Pangborn Hall into a women's dormitory, marking a significant shift in the hall's identity. This transformation was accompanied by aninflux of female students, and it presented both challenges and opportunities for the residents and rector.Over the years, Pangborn Hall continued to evolve. In 2016 it wasannounced that Pangborn would became a "swing hall," accommodating various configurations of students until it once again returned to being a men's dorm in the 2021-2022 school year. The debate over co-ed and substance-free housing at Notre Dame may have been intense in the early 1990s, but it sparked a conversation that endured for years to come. It was a reflection of a changing student body, seeking to strike a balance between tradition and progress, and a testament to the enduring spirit of dialogue and transformation at Notre Dame.
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