University College was established in 1853 as a non-sectarian institution of higher education. It was designed as a Romanesque Revival-style building inspired by the designs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England. University College opened its doors to students three years later on October 4, 1859. In 2018, a major revitalization of the main building included relocating the library from the Laidlaw Wing back to its original home in East Hall, and transforming the West Hall into the Clark Reading Room.