Ken Dunkin

UM-St. Louis has come a long way since I began attending school here in 1994. It is pretty amazing too, considering what the school was like then as compared to now.

The look of the University has changed drastically since my first day here. While much of the campus is still its usual drab self, there is much new life springing up. The new University Center, which I can remember voting on in 1995, is finally close to a reality. Most students who voted on the issue are long gone.

It also seems as if it took forever for the building to be built. Four years ago, it seemed as if it would never be finished. But the University Center is almost finished, and from the looks of it, the center is going to be excellent. It will be a really nice center of the campus. And with all of the student groups in one space, a campus community will likely arise. As it is now, most of the groups are spread out over the campus with each doing their own thing in their own space. When the University Center opens next year, things will be different. Students who are involved in student organizations will almost have to ignore everyone else for them not to meet other students. This is the first step to putting together a solid campus community.

This is something that hasnŐt happened in my time here. The campus community has been lacking in several of my years at UM-St. Louis. While things have been much better in recent years, there is tons of room for improvement. The year 2000 could be a start of a new era on this campus.

Parking has been a major problem in recent years. With Parking Garage D in the process of being demolished, much parking was pushed off to other areas. The new garage next to the Thomas Jefferson Library is not only a very nice looking addition to the campus, but it will help alleviate much of the campus parking problems. Perhaps the best part about the garage is that it is built right on the main part of campus. It is close, as opposed to the other garages which require hiking boots to get to and from class.

The entire campus has changed in its look. The Mark Twain Building never looked better. The campus is also filled with flowers and plants which have made the University look much better and not so drab.

The only bad part about all the construction and work is that many students who are attending will never get to see the University completed. Once it is finally done, it will be quite a site.