Our History

The origins of the University Club (previously named the University Club Association) date back to 1928, when the Men's Faculty Club was established, and was followed up quickly by the creation of a Women's Faculty Club. In the late 1940's the two groups merged to become "The Faculty Club" with a "clubhouse" located on the fourth floor of the Student Union and furnished with a pool table, some old furniture and "one very comfortable chair."

When Norman Topping became president of USC in the late 1950's, he approached the University Senate (what is now known as the Academic Senate) about their priorities. It was made clear to him that the highest priority of the Academic Senate was to have a facility "where the faculty and staff could...socialize and exchange ideas." Although there was no budget for the construction of new buildings, Dr. Topping was able to convince USC's trustees to fund the original building. The present University Club was opened in 1961. Dues were raised from fifty five cents to six dollars a month for full professors, an increase of 1100%. Despite the substantial increase in dues, membership increased over 500% in the first year the facility was open. Over the years the University Club has undergone a number of renovations and improvements in order to improve the service it provides to its constituency.