Last month, I asked alumni to tell me what to report in these monthly newsletters. Thank you to the many who responded. (It is always good to know somebody reads my letters!) What you told me was to keep reporting on what’s new on campus. That included new structures, new activities and new people. So, in keeping with your wishes, here are a few “new” items.

When students, alumni and Razorback fans arrive on campus in the fall, there will be a new place to park! (It is interesting that no matter what era an alumnus/a graduated, parking was always an issue.)  A new parking garage is nearing completion along the east side of Garland Avenue between Maple and Cleveland. But, it will be more than a garage. Many retail shops will be included, but the biggest space will be occupied by the University Bookstore. The store will move from its present site in the Arkansas Union to more space. Several ideas for the old space have been discussed, but I’ll save that for a future @Arkansas.

Speaking of union buildings, Memorial Hall, a previous site for the Student Union, is undergoing internal renovations, some of which will restore some of the original fixtures to that beloved building. 

The new Nanotechnology Building continues toward completion in its space next to the Kappa Sigma fraternity house on Dickson. This facility will match the reputation of the researchers who will use it. If you did not know, the University of Arkansas is a world leader in this 21st Century technology because of the quality of the research conducted by our faculty.

There is a misconception that summers are a lazy time on the campus. That might have been true 20 years ago, but higher education has become a year-round activity. Summer sessions are in progress and many summer workshops and programs are bringing high school students to the campus for a preview of the college experience. The crosswalk at Maple and Garland is busy most of the day with students. Some of those students are physically sculptured athletes who utilize the slower pace of summer sessions to work toward their degrees and prepare physically for the next season.

The association is getting ready for the fall, which will include involvement in RazorRock, the football kickoff week in Little Rock, preparations for Pre-Game Rallies (your reservation forms were included in the recently delivered summer issue of Arkansas magazine) and plans to upgrade the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House with new carpeting. Mrs. Hembree’s favorite piece of furniture – an 1846 piano from Paris – was presented by her family and currently resides in the building’s Underwood Library.

The association was recently cited as a certified member of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce’s GreeNWAy Initiative for “green” and sustainable business practices that include recycling, water and energy conservation, reduced paper copies and improved communications with alumni through e-mail.  The association is also nearing certification for GreenNonprofits, a global movement focused on greening nonprofit workplaces.

That’s what’s new on campus!