council room measures and is finished in Italian walnut with a coved ceiling. The walls have Doric pilasters with intervening panels of wood and mirrors, the chimney breast being carried to the ceiling, and surmounted by elaborate wood-carving. The ceiling is divided into lozenge-shaped panels depicting figures upon a blue background. Other parts of the ceiling, including the ribs, are colored gold. The council room's wall space was nearly entirely fitted with mirrors. Above the main dining room is an eight story with a kitchen and storerooms. The ninth story contains dining rooms for private parties. it was designed as four private rooms, which were separated by curtains but could be combined. Basement From the first floor, a staircase leads to the basement. The basement was designed with bowling alleys and a Roman bath. On the 54th Street side is the clubhouse's mechanical plant, which had facilities for power, heat, light, ventilation, and ice. On the Fifth Avenue side is a swimming pool with equipment for full Turkish bath. The swimming pool itself is wide and is built of white marble, with sidewalls made of white glazed brick. The swimming pool contains a fountain shaped like a brass lion's head, while the ceiling of the pool area is painted as a trompe-l'œil blue sky. Surrounding the bath are dressing rooms, saunas, and a lounging and smoking room at one end. A basement in the annex contained the bicycle storage room and wine cellar. Memberships The club, nicknamed "The U" by its members, ranked among New York City's most exclusive social clubs by the 21st century. The club is not affiliated with any other University Club or college alumni clubs. Under the 1879 constitution, the club's executive powers were held by a 20-member council and membership was handled by a 21-member council. All members were required to have graduated from a postsecondary institution at least three years prior or received an honorary A.M. or LL.D.; in the latter case, the graduation requirement was waived. In addition, Military Academy and Naval Academy graduates were eligible. Before 1885, the required minimum period of graduation was five years. The constitution initially allowed any honorary degree holder to become a member, but the constitution was amended in 1882 to restrict the criterion to certain degrees. , all members were required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from any college or university that had accreditation, as