Detour on Campus

As classes begin for the fall 2010 semester, incoming and returning students are welcomed with brand new facilities including a new performing arts center, dining hall, and residence hall.

Along with the many eating establishments that Paw Print and South Paw offers, students will have a greater variety of dining choices. The dining hall will be located across from the Student Health Center, which  costs $7.25 million and an opening date to be announced, according to the university's website.

As the number of students attending Sam continues to increase, the need for more on-campus housing is necessary.

"We have seen over the past years, there's not enough housing for students," said Dana Grant, assistant directors for business and operations. The $18 million co-ed dorm is set to open for the fall 2011, open to all classifications, and will be the location of Residence Life.

Fine Arts major will have a lot to look forward to with the completion of the new Performance Arts building. The building, which cost $38.5 million, has more than 90,000 square feet of total space, including an 800-seat concert hall, 150- seat dance theater, according to the university's website.

"I love it…it's fresh and new," said Michelle Ritter, junior and theater major.

"It brings all the arts together," said Randall Carpenter sophomore and musical theater major.

At only one week into the school year, there is already a growing excitement for the upcoming performances including "Nine," running Oct. 6-9 and "Hamlet," running Nov. 17-20.

"I just hope they'll come by and enjoy the space," said Dana Nicolay. In all its completion, the students of Sam are able to come together to enjoy great music and entertainment, with the prospect of wonderful housing amenities and dining in the not so distant future.