The administrative offices of the University of Mysore is housed in the Crawford Hall. This imposing structure was built in the year 1947 at a cost of Rs.12 lakh. Mr. Otto H. Königsberger, Chief Architect, Government of Mysore, designed this building. The tall columns in the front the building a majestic appearance. The building was originally planned as the Representative Assembly for Mysore.

Lt. Col. W. L. Crawford and his brother C. S. Crawford of England who studied at Mysore gave a donation of Rs.~1 lakh to the University of Mysore for the construction of an Intermediate College for Women. Since, they had not imposed any conditions, the funds were used to build a hall to be used for Convocation and house the Administrative Offices. This donation was their way of saying thanks to the "kindly land".

The building has a total floor area of nearly 10,000 Square metres. The structure is in the form of an I, with the central hall, christened Crawford Hall as desired by the donors, which is mainly used for Convocations and other important functions. The hall is spacious enough to seat nearly 1000 persons and has an octagonal shape. The balcony can also seat about 600 persons comfortably.