Young Women's Christian Association (University of Nevada, Reno) Records

The Young Women's Christian Association of the University of Nevada was organized March 25, 1898, and became a charter member of the National YWCA in 1906. The name, Campus Y, was often used to distinguish it from the Reno-Sparks YWCA, formed in 1921. The Campus Y was very active on the campus, and ran a snack bar, provided orientation for new students, and handled the cap and gown concession in addition to a variety of other activities. When the Jot Travis Union was built, the University took over these services, and there was a decline in membership.

In 1962, the University YWCA was dropped as a United Fund agency, and by 1965 appeared headed for extinction. In 1966, the Wygal Fund was established in memory of Winnifred Wygal, the first paid staff member on the Reno campus (1912-1917), which led to the hiring of an executive director and by 1970, the Campus Y was again a member agency of the Washoe County United Fund. It existed for only a short time though, and was listed as a recognized university organization only through 1973/74.