Nicholls did not always have a student union like the one that has become a popular gathering place for students relaxing before and after classes. Back when this school was known as Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of Louisiana State University, the college only had a social room. This small room on the first floor of Elkins Hall, the only building on campus, was sandwiched between the cafeteria and the bookstore.

“It was a simple room where students could play chess and checkers,” Alfred Delahaye, professor emeritus of journalism, said.

In 1956, the social room moved into the newly constructed White Hall in what is the office suite of the dean of Business Administration today.

The first, but temporary, student union building was constructed in 1960. It was a simple metal building located at the present site Powell Hall and housed Student Publications, Student Government and a hamburger counter on the first level. The second level held a speech office and classroom.

“The students were noisy, the jukebox ran constantly and hamburgers were being fried underneath the speech offices,” Delahaye said. “The speech faculty would go crazy because they were trying to conduct classes.”

That metal building can still be seen on campus. It was moved to the back of campus during the mid-1960s and is today occupied by South Louisiana Economic Council and other offices.

A permanent student union opened at its current location on April 4, 1967. This first incarnation was smaller than what exists today. It was separated from the cafeteria by a 100-foot gap. The new building housed health services, a snack bar, a small ballroom and stage, three small meeting rooms, two small game rooms, the University switchboard, Student Life and Student Government Association offices and a bookstore.

“There was a small ballroom with a stage,” Delahaye said. “It often doubled as a ballroom and a theater.”

There was no barrier on the front porch of the union when it opened. It would be added later to satisfy safety codes.

Since the union was separated from the cafeteria, there was a lounge entrance on that side. The bookstore was located just to the left of the main entrance where Le Bijou Theater is today. On the floor of the lobby was a large Tillou caricature. Jukeboxes were soon added, rather than piped in stereo music.

A few years later the student union went through its second incarnation. The Cotillion Ballroom was constructed in the space between the cafeteria and the union.

“The architects had always planned to fill in this space,” Delahaye said. “They conveniently hid the restrooms and offices in the middle that were covered in red bricks.”

In 1988, the student union underwent its third and final incarnation. Added were the Plantation Suite with a new south entrance, more SGA offices and more meeting rooms.

The snack bar facilities were also enhanced. It was now called Le Mlange and had a larger menu. Le Bistro was added a year later. Anyone of age could buy beer after 3 p.m.

The game room contained pool tables, a Foosball table and video game machines. The bookstore was moved to create the 180-seat Le Bijou Theater. The switchboard was moved to the University Police station.

The front steps were cut to half their width and divided by walls to discourage sitting on the steps.