Written by Jordan Grummer
It seems like there is always some form of construction going on at the University of Arkansas. Luckily, that construction is to build bigger and better facilities for the faculty and staff. Unluckily, it usually comes at the expense of the already limited student parking. Several student parking lots have been converted to new facilities, the most recent being the Nanoscience building on Dickson. One of the most impressive facilities is Bell Engineering. In fact, the newer buildings are all impressive, but unfortunately, there are just as many buildings on campus that could use a little tender love and care. Old Main, the school's original building, was fortunate enough to receive a major facelift to replace the aging mortar and get a new roof. Kimpel Hall, the home to many departments, could literally use a facelift. A few years ago, it was discovered that Kimpel was built on clay, and after 30 years, it began to sink. They fixed the problem, but that just kind of highlights how some of the buildings are.
The athletic facilities are some of the best in the country. The basketball arena was dubbed the "Basketball Palace of Mid-America" in the mid-'90s when it was constructed, and even though it's almost 20 years old, it's still an impressive sight. The football stadium, renovated in 2003, is extremely nice. Make sure you get to games early, though, unless you want to walk up what seems like a neverending wheelchair ramp. The HPER is one area where the UA is lacking. The facility was orginally built for classrooms, and it is the smallest HPER in the SEC (Southeastern Conference). The gym is almost always packed, but there is a full weight room, racquetball courts, and an Olympic-sized pool.