Gazing up at this imposing structure, you might not guess that Edward H. Levi Hall was once the subject of student protests. Completed in 1948, this six-story building, with its understated modern design, marked a departure from the University of Chicago’s traditional Gothic architecture. Originally called simply the “Administration Building,” it was renamed in 2013 to honor Edward H. Levi, a man who served as the university’s dean, provost, and president before becoming the United States Attorney General.
Inside, instead of grand staircases and ornate details, Edward H. Levi Hall housed the offices of the university’s leadership. It was here, in 1969, that students occupied the building for two weeks. They were protesting a range of issues, including the Vietnam War and the dismissal of a sociology professor. Interestingly, Levi, then university president, chose not to involve the Chicago police, demonstrating a level of restraint uncommon during that turbulent era. The protests ultimately led to disciplinary action against numerous students.
Today, Edward H. Levi Hall stands as a symbol of the university’s evolution. The building, once a lightning rod for student activism, now represents the administrative heart of a world-renowned institution. However, the echoes of past protests serve as a reminder of the dynamic relationship between the university and its students.