UA News

Employees and students are asked to submit their favorite places on campus for possible inclusion in a new display at the UA Visitor Center.

Whether it's the best place to read a book, relax in the shade, enjoy your lunch or people watch, campus is filled with unique nooks and crannies, and everyone has their favorites.

The University of Arizona Visitor Center is preparing a new display to showcase some of those places – the ones that don't always make the brochures – and wants feedback from University insiders who know the lay of the land best.

"Everyone has their favorite spot. It's part of campus culture," said Heather Lukach, director of the Visitor Center.

Lukach said she hopes the new display will introduce University visitors to some areas of the UA they haven't before seen, while giving students, staff and faculty a chance to reflect on what they love about campus during financially challenging times.

Currently in the mock-up phase, the new display, scheduled for completion next month, will feature three panels: a "Visions and Images" panel featuring an image of something unique to the UA, a "UA Spotlight" showcasing a specific campus attraction or success story, and a "Cool Campus Places" panel, which will highlight UA community members' favorite spots.

The display will change each semester, and Lukach said she eventually hopes to post a rotating featured location on the Visitor Center Web site as well.

Since an initial call for favorite campus spots went out last month, Lukach said she's received about 30 responses from employees and students, many of whom have indicated the koi pond near North Park Avenue and East Second Street as their No. 1 choice.

The pond will be one of the first "Cool Campus Places" to make the display, which will remain up through the summer. Other featured locations include the park-like west side of campus that borders North Park Avenue; the top floor of the Gould-Simpson building, which offers a bird's eye view of campus; and Mountain Avenue, a bustling spot for bike and pedestrian traffic.    

To nominate your favorite campus spot, send an e-mail to hlukach@email.arizona.edu with a 15- to 25-word description identifying the spot and what makes it great.

Community members' names and quotes will be posted alongside a photograph of the chosen locations, which will be updated again in the fall.