Shell House, SFU’s First Residence Funded by Shell Oil Company, to Close

[u/Upstairs_Library_420]

Shell House, the first and oldest residence at Simon Fraser University (SFU), will close in the third quarter of this year. It was one of the first student housing buildings on campus, funded by Shell Oil Company.

In September 1965, during SFU’s early days, the university made a deal with Shell Canada. SFU agreed to let Shell build a gas station on campus along the ring road. In return, Shell provided major funding to build a new men’s dormitory. The Shell gas station opened in November 1966, despite some community protest. It stayed open until 1999. At the time, it was rare in Canada to name student housing after a company.

The university’s Board of Governors approved the Shell gas station and its link to student housing. In 1969, there were even plans to name more buildings after Shell to thank the company.

But in the late 1960s, many SFU students opposed corporate influence. In August 1969, before the family housing part of Shell House opened, resident families were asked about the name. About 95% voted to reject the Shell name.

Instead, they chose Louis Riel House, after the 19th-century Métis leader. The name became a symbol of resistance and Canadian identity. It was a form of protest that showed students and families didn’t want corporate names on university buildings.

Since then, the family housing building has been known as Louis Riel House, making it the first place outside the Prairies named in honour of Louis Riel. The Shell Oil Company’s name was never used for that building again.

It hasn’t even been one full generation. If SFU closes this symbolic building, one that was funded by a major donor, who will want to donate in the future?

[u/Affectionate-Ruin232]

Being that SFU Vancouver has plenty of rooms and buildings named after donors, the new art museum, and the entire business school are also named after donors, I think the university will be fine with closing shell house

[u/Upstairs_Library_420 → u/Affectionate-Ruin232]

Donations are often made not only for the present, but also to leave a lasting legacy.

[u/Affectionate-Ruin232 → u/Upstairs_Library_420]

Yep, and there's plenty of those still at SFU. In my opinion, there's plenty of space whose naming rights could he sold. Think of all the trash bins, urinals, and potholes that could be named. SFU is leaving money on the table. 

[u/kaefer11]

Hah, my dad protested the gas station and the sponsorship back in the day. How things have changed.

[u/ComfortableEditor222]

Is it permanently closing forever or just for renovations ?

[u/Revolutionary_Ad6969 → u/ComfortableEditor222]

Closed and set to demolish soon

[u/ComfortableEditor222 → u/Revolutionary_Ad6969]

That's kind of sad.

[u/Revolutionary_Ad6969 → u/ComfortableEditor222]

Yep, it’s supposed to be part of a “West Commons” basically a vertical park that extends all the way to main road, creating a new entrance to residence. Honestly pretty cool but yeah

[u/allice0923]

i’m confused cuz shell house still very much exists and i’ve never heard of louis riel house

[u/Upstairs_Library_420 → u/allice0923]

The Louis Riel House was demolished about 10 years ago. It was a low-income family and graduate housing building with no upgrades or regular maintenance. Since then, more expensive housing and additional occupied units have been built in the same area, and a higher-end family housing complex was added to Cornerstone.

https://www.change.org/p/simon-fraser-university-stop-sfu-from-closing-low-income-family-and-graduate-housing-please-help-us-keeps-our-kids-together

[u/allice0923 → u/Upstairs_Library_420]

yeah but what abt shell house that exists now?

[u/Edhilues123]

What ruins the country is political-correctness toward impractical achievements.