While you were away tanning on a beach or visiting friends at home, things were happening here on The Bluff. More people visit campus while you’re gone than you think — like a 150-person cheer camp! Don’t be caught off guard when you notice that Howard Hall is gone or finding a parking spot is more stressful than ever (wait, could it actually get worse?). While you move your stuff back in and get ready for school next week, check out what changed and what happened while you were away:
We lost Howard Hall
The construction of Dundon-Berchtold Hall began this summer. The hall will alleviate the much-needed classroom shortage and will offer new classrooms, new offices and a small auditorium. With the new construction, historic Howard Hall — built in 1927 — was torn down. With the loss of Howard, UP will lose four large sequoia trees as well.
Cell service was improved
We all know what a struggle getting service on campus can be. A Verizon cell tower was added to the top of Mehling this summer, according to Jim Ravelli, UP’s Chief Information Officer. An AT&T cell tower will be added near Fields and Schoenfeldt later this fall.
We lost parking spots
Forty parking spots were removed in UP’s main parking lot to accommodate City of Portland bioswale requirements. With the loss of spots, parking pass cost was increased from $100 to $150.
Buildings across campus gained new renovations
Parts of Mehling Hall were seismically retrofitted, Shipstad gained a newly renovated kitchen and asbestos was removed from Kenna Hall’s doors and piping.
Two new ovens and table added to Shipstad as part of its new kitchen.
Alumni visited campus
UP celebrated another alumni reunion in July. Alumni came from across the country and stayed in Schoenfeldt, Fields and Shipstad Hall. Shipstad celebrated its 50th birthday with alumni who lived in the hall when it had first been built. Alumni ranged from graduating classes as recent as 2016 to graduates from years 1967, 1962, 1960 and 1954. Alumni relived their glory days by staying in dorm rooms and reconnecting with old friends.
Camps and conferences visited campus
Did you know UP rents out its facilities to camps and conferences while students are away? This summer, over 15 camps and conferences visited campus to stay in the dorms and use campus facilities. Camps include a Nike women’s soccer camp, a theater camp, a men’s soccer camp and a 150-participant UCA cheer camp.
