urbanSTL

Tysalpha wrote:

Grover wrote:


What is this!? University of Picasso?

Sorry Grover -- I couldn't resist!



Joking aside, I have to agree with the others. A historic style conveys a completely different message than a modern one. Having gone to UMSL for undergrad (with its lovely early-1970s concrete "ice cube tray" ceilings), and then SLU for my Masters, my connection to the campus was completely different. SLU may not have an entirely uniform or attractive design; but walking through that campus, the feeling of belonging to something with such a tradition and legacy was striking.



Some of Wash U's newer buildings border on the gimmicky (aka "Welcome to Six Flags over Gothic University!"), but I think with age they will patina, and in 20 years or so they'll fit in as well as the old buildings.

UMSL is the ugliest and one of the most suburban campuses in the region. The campus is sterile and big box. Sometimes I feel I am going to school at Home Depot. While SLU and Wash U have suburban elements and could do more to maximize density, at least they are not as bad as UMSL. Express Scripts' new HQ is the perfect example of failure.



Standards need to be raised at SLU and WashU, but really guys, go visit UMSL and you will see how bad it is.

BPE, go pick up the latest issue of The Current. Go to the letters to the editor section and read my little story about the Fee Increases.



We are building a new 4.5 million dollar parking garage on South Campus, while we are going to cut the Metro Passes. North Hanley Metrolink Station has several garages and ample parking, but few use Metro because "it does not service St. Charles." Well, our St. Charles friends can park at North Hanley for free, then use Metro one stop to North Campus.



UMSL does not promote Metrolink through marketing. Do they hand out a map of the bus routes at the beginning of the year? They should send out promotion material when you receive the invoice for your classes. Simply put, they are following the same autocentric model when they could transition students onto Metro.



Not to mention the opportunity for TOD and New Urbanism on USML's Campus or Natural Bridge. USML is an extreme disappointment as they have the opportunity to influence the minds of many St. Louis County kids, yet they propagate the suburban mentality. They are stuck in the 1970's.

bpe235 wrote:I could care less about a fee increase...these things happen all the time... Umsl is dirt cheap, that's why i'm here and not at wash u or slu... They could probably use the pay increase.

The fee increase is for student groups. As you point out, we are a suburban commuter campus. My point in the article is that student groups shouldn't be funded any further. The campus needs to be redesigned so people actually remain after classes. With all of the other fun areas in the Region, remaining at UMSL after class is at the bottom of my list. UMSL, again, needs to implement TOD and New Urbanism as this could get more student residents and keep people on campus. Not to mention, if done properly, attract employees from Express Scripts and North Park when they get off work.

Grover wrote:

UMSL does not promote Metrolink through marketing. Do they hand out a map of the bus routes at the beginning of the year? They should send out promotion material when you receive the invoice for your classes. Simply put, they are following the same autocentric model when they could transition students onto Metro.

True enough! It's rediculous that faculty/staff and students aren't pushed/encouraged to use one of the TWO Metro stops on campus!!

It really is a total travesty! They have two MetroLink stops and are thinking of cutting the student passes. It's because they do not appreciate them, or see their utility!

The steel skin is cool, but I think the brick was a horriffic misadventure by the architect.

probably not much.



[badjoke]Which is why they skinned it with metal rather than the obvious ivory.[/badjoke]