Written by Allison Talbot
SLU takes great pride in its facilities. They are one of the school's best features, and campus is beautiful to walk around, even in the worst weather. The only shortcoming is that there aren’t any buildings for student activities, such as a movie theater or bowling alley. Since Canton is so rural, there are few entertainment venues in the town, as well. Some of the buildings are historic (construction on Richardson Hall began in 1856), but they are well-maintained. The new buildings, including Sullivan Student Center and Johnson Hall of Science, have striking architecture, large windows, and spacious rooms. While many dorms are typical brick structures, others like Sykes have stone exteriors. Some of the older dorms are more neglected, but dorms are updated on a 12-year cycle.
The Student Center includes seating areas and conference rooms that students can reserve for club meetings. It is a popular place to hang out or study, and the NorthStar Café is conveniently located on the ground floor. Options for dining are spaced well throughout the campus, so it’s usually a quick walk from wherever you are. Unfortunately, the ODY Library is one place where students can’t buy a substantial snack. Unless you’re hungry, it’s easy to appreciate its unique aesthetic features, including "the Tree Room" (which houses several living trees) and the elevated desks or “tree houses." The athletic facilities are state-of-the-art, and maintenance is a priority since such a high percentage of students are involved in athletics. However, the gym and fitness machines are available to both athletes and non-athletes. From new squash courts to a climbing wall, the University spends a significant portion of its budget keeping Newell up-to-date. Overall, SLU’s campus is one of the prettiest there is.