The 1960s
1960
College for Men moves into the Hall of Science (now Serra Hall), built with funds from a campaign initiated by Bishop Buddy, but run by an alliance of faiths. Pledges exceeded campaign's $3.5 million goal. Building includes science rooms, laboratories, a cafeteria, a faculty dining room, a book store, a lecture hall, classrooms and offices.
Groundbreaking for the 1,500-seat Sports Center.
Tuition at the College for Men is raised from $15 per unit to a flat rate of $300 per semester, still remaining one of the less expensive private schools in the nation.
Tuition at the School of Law is $10 per credit. Law school hires first three full-time faculty. Other practicing attorneys and judges are paid $1 per year to teach part time.
1961
Mother Rosalie Hill steps down as honorary president of the College for Women. Mother Ethel Teegarden succeeds her.
Father John Paul Cadden is named president of the College for Men.
Casa Maria built as housing for the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Now houses academic and administrative offices.
House of Studies of the Verona Fathers (later known as the Apostolic Center, then Olin Hall and finally, Harmon Hall) opens. First houses seminary students of the Sons of the Sacred Heart, the religious community founded in Verona, Italy, that financed its construction. In 1970, the community sells the building to the San Diego Diocese and withdraws its students from campus. As the Apostolic Center, the building provides facilities for St. Francis Minor Seminary students, then becomes the property of the university in 1977. It serves a series of the university's academic divisions, then is razed in 2002 to make way for a new alumni center.
Law school receives accreditation from the American Bar Association.
Football stadium is completed, but football program is dropped.
USD's mascot changes from Pioneers to Toreros (bullfighters).
1962
The Vista campus newspaper publishes inaugural edition.
1963
Mother Anne Farraher replaces Mother Frances Danz as president of the College for Women.
Sports Center and stadium are dedicated.
1964
Bishop Francis J. Furey is named chancellor of the men's University of San Diego.
Mother Rosalie Hill passes away at age 85.
Bishop Buddy commemorates the 50 th anniversary of his ordination in a Mass celebrated at The Immaculata.
College for Men begins offering graduate degrees.
School of Law publishes first issue of San Diego Law Review .
College for Women establishes summer-session program in Guadalajara, Mexico.
1965
Mother Leonor Mejia replaces Mother Ethel Teegarden as honorary president of the College for Women.
Two student residence projects completed: Santa Anita Missions and San Antonio Padua apartments.
The Second Vatican Council issues a document encouraging Catholic colleges and universities to "unite in a mutual sharing of effort," setting in motion the eventual merger of the institutions.
1966
Mother Nancy Morris is named president of the College for Women. Initiates sweeping changes, including eliminating the rule requiring women to seek the president's permission before leaving campus at night.
Bishop Charles F. Buddy passes away at age 78.
School of Law admitted to the prestigious Association of American Law Schools.
College for Men begins publishing the Pequod , a literary magazine. Continues publication until 1978.
1967
Sister Frances Danz is named honorary president of the College for Women.
Father John E. Baer is named president of the College for Men.
Sister Sally Furay is named academic dean of the College for Women.
Women's and men's colleges allow cross-registration in upper-division courses.
Society of the Sacred Heart holds a Special Chapter to update their rules and way of life in line with the decisions of the Second Vatican Council. Members of the order now addressed as "Sister," not "Mother."
1968
Presidents of College for Men and College for Women and law dean announce merger.
School of Theology moves to Menlo Park in Northern California.
School of Law library moves from the Knights of Columbus building to the third floor of More Hall.
Colleges for men and women hold first joint commencement at the San Diego Civic Center.
More than 500 students participate in coeducational classes.
Men's and women's college yearbooks merge under the name Alcalá .
1969
Presidio Terrace residence hall completed.
Religious studies department is the first all-university academic department.
Registrar's office of both colleges becomes a single operation. Admissions and financial aid offices soon follow.
Campus Ministry retreats initiated.
Students vote to merge student governments into the Associated Students of the University of San Diego.
Football, on hiatus since 1961, returns as a club sport.
| 20th Anniversary Snapshot | |
| Enrollment | 1,971 |
| Faculty | 137 |
| Annual undergraduate tuition | $1200 |
| Annual room & board | $1,340 (women) $1,200 (men) |
| Degrees awarded | 331 |
| Campus buildings | 4 |
| Square footage | 766,000 |