Viking_Yearbook_68

Those who stayed long realized that it was the very atmosphere of the place, the independence, the cosmopolitan relevance of the environment that pro– vided the real education at the college -something lacking at other colleges ; something that suburban life and an ivory-towered, green -I awned campus could never provide. By 1963, however, the new die was cast. Block after block of housing top– pled, families were displaced, students chased from dwelling to dwelling as the great chasm of the West Hills Free– way began its progression through the heart of the residential southwest. Urban renewal cleared out block upon block of dwellings near the river. The Village was condemned and Cable Street began a slow death. P.S.C., finally assured of its permanent existence, be– gan its inexorable expansion. From the north, the commercial world en– croached, building banks and insur– ance offices along campus borders. Next to Old Main, a parking lot replaced ancient gingerbread houses. During the years of flux since 1963, speculation about P.S.C. 's ultimate ex– pansion has been rife. With congres– sional approval this year of federal matching funds for redevelopment of the area immediately surrounding P.S.C., the speculation has ended and the work begun.