Robert Underwood earned his degree from MSU in 1958 in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management. After working at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois for two years, he returned to MSU in 1960 and worked as a food supervisor in Brody, where he was quickly promoted to assistant manager. In 1962, Underwood was responsible for maintenance for the entire housing area and in the late 60s he became personnel administrator for housing and food service employees. In addition to negotiating the first labor contracts for food service workers, Underwood also served as university negotiator in the basement of Wilson Hall when Black students took over the Wilson cafeteria in 1967. Underwood was instrumental in creating the living and learning within dorms concept which was the forerunner of James Madison and Lyman Briggs colleges. In the 1980s Underwood became Assistant Vice President for Housing and Food Service, a post he held until his retirement in 1997. Topics/people covered in this interview include: Walter Adams; Jack Burns; Bob Emerson; Paul Fairbrook; Emory Foster; Charles Guyano; James Hamilton; John Hannah; Robert Jones; Kellogg Foundation; Robert Linton; Abbot, Akers, Berkey, Brody, Case, Dem, Fee, Holden, Holmes, Hubbard, Mason, McDonel, Phillips, Shaw, Snyder, Wilson, Wonders Hall; campus in 1954 & 1963; Cowles House; employee benefits in 1960s; integration of dorms; Justin Morrill College; Kellogg Center; Lyman Briggs; meal plans for students in 1960s & 2001; residence hall population; student employment; student unrest in 1960s; unionization in 1965; Bernard Proulx; Gordon Rohman; Ted Smith; Lyle Thorburn; Irvin Vance; Clifton & Dolores Wharton; Roger Wilkinson
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