with yearly dues of $2.50; the club was run by a board of directors with representation of students, faculty, and alumni. "By 1914 there were over 4,000 members, which was a considerable portion of the University student body and indicative of the strength of the organization." In 1918 the Regents authorized that the membership fee, then $3, be collected from all students. The same year, the fee was increased to $5, and all male students automatically became Union Members. Originally, women were only allowed to enter the building through the North entrance and when accompanied by a male escort, due to the founders' belief that the women's center at that time was in "the parlors of the Barbour Gymnasium." In 1929, the Michigan League, designed by the Pond brothers, was built on North University Avenue as the women's union. In 1956, the policy of requiring escorts and of requiring women to enter through the North entrance was finally dropped. In 1968, the last place in the Union to have such a policy, the Billiards Room, ended its policy and admitted women on an equal basis. Today, the Michigan Union houses restaurants, student organization office space, conference rooms, study areas, and other student resources. The Union is also an election precinct in state elections. At the front steps of the Union, just above the main entrance, two statues stand on the left and the right. On the left is the athlete, facing towards south campus, home of the athletic fields and Michigan Stadium. To the right is the scholar, looking towards Central and North Campus, home of the student life of the University of Michigan. In a speech delivered on the steps of the Michigan Union October 14, 1960 at 2:00 a.m., presidential candidate John F. Kennedy announced his Peace Corps proposal. A plaque at the steps now commemorates the event. Notes External links Michigan Union University of Michigan campus Student activity centers in the United States 1919 establishments in Michigan