Beautiful U Day 1998
 Thank
you to everyone who took part in Beautiful U Day '98! Thank you
for your efforts and your devotion to making the University of Minnesota
a better place to work and study.
Eat Up
Heritage Marker Dedication
Revitalization of the South Mall
Special Projects
Employee Recognition
Beautiful U Day 1998 Picture
Slideshow
Eat Up
As might be expected, food was a big draw on Beautiful U Day. More
than 6,000 people on the two campuses enjoyed lunch compliments
of Beautiful U Day crews. In Moos Tower, the Health Sciences Zone
staff passed out ice cream treats to faculty, staff and patients.
Heritage Marker Dedication
One of the highlights of Beautiful U Day '98 was the installation
of first of Heritage Markers. The Heritage Markers highlight heritage
– academic, geographic, and historic heritage of the University.
The markers are designed to help both visitors and frequent campus
attendees to experience the University in a special way. Five initial
markers were installed on Beautiful U Day ’98 with John Sergeant
Pillsbury (as portrayed by J.B. Eckert) arriving in grand fashion
and presiding over the ceremonies. Heritage markers are now in place
in front of Northrop Auditorium, on the Campus Mall, in front of
the Social Science Tower, between Cooke Hall and the University
Recreation Center, and on the St. Paul Lawn.
Approximately 10 additional makers will be installed on Beautiful
U Day ’99 with locations and content based on input from faculty
and staff. Finally, about 10 additional markers are planned for
Beautiful U Day 2000 which will mark the completion of the "University
of Minnesota Heritage Trail." A brochure describing all points
on the trail will be produced and distributed at marker sites.
Funds will be made available to other campuses and University facilities
to create similar markers or for other projects which highlight
their unique heritage. The project will take construction issues
into consideration and will be integrated into all signage efforts
and sesquicentennial planning.
Revitalization of the
South Mall
The first step in the exciting revitalization of the area south
of Coffman Union along East River Road is the removal of the East
River Road Ramp. The 32 year old ramp provided space for countless
cars and drivers over the years, but safety concerns and revitalization
plans meant it had to go. In its place, the University will redevelop
the area, open the campus to the river and restore the concept of
Cass Gilbert who designed the mall in 1907.
University President Mark Yudof started the revitalization process
by climbing aboard a 50-ton crane and swinging a wrecking ball into
the ramp elevator tower.
With Beautiful U Day falling on the Friday of Homecoming weekend,
a Michigan State Spartan flag provided Yudof with an appropriate
target.
Special Projects
Beautiful U Day '98 featured a number of special projects on both
campuses designed to make the University of Minnesota a more inviting
and aesthetically pleasing place to be.
Residents of Territorial Hall got into the spirit of the day by
purchasing and planting a tree. The residents paid for the tree
out of the Hall Council General Account and planted the tree in
the Hall courtyard. A plaque recognizing the effort is the next
step, as well as plans for Beautiful U Day '99.
Volunteers picked up trash along East River Road, and painted the
sheds underneath the Science Classroom Building. The Graffenberg
Tank outside of the Tate Lab of Physics was painted with appropriate
maroon and gold, and the Gopher Way Directional Signs were formally
unveiled.
Flags fly again on the four corners of Cooke Hall thanks to a flag
pole revitalization project by Facilities Management Zone4. Flags
flew on the site regularly when Memorial Stadium was in use, but
the poles haven't been used since the Stadium was torn down. The
flags are now back and look great.
Finally, President Yudof presided over the ribbon cutting and formal
dedication of the new Information Booth located on Pillsbury Drive
next to the Civil Engineering building.
Employee Recognition
Many members of the University community took time on Beautiful
U Day to recognize and thank the many employees who work each day
to make a more beautiful U. Formal presentations of maroon and gold
mums and certificates of appreciation were common. But even more
common were the comments and genuine words of praise from students,
faculty and staff regarding the condition of the campus. Beautiful
U Day was also an opportunity to take a look back at the accomplishments
of the past year that have made the campus look nice. These accomplishments
include:
- A fresh maroon and gold coat of paint on the Wilkins Hall pedestrian
bridge.
- Installation of 40 new benches across campus.
- Washing 58,000 windows.
- Replacement of 50 storm-damaged trees.
- Improvements in campus signage.
- Parking lot improvements affecting 15,000 users.
- Installation and repair of 1,300 bicycle rack spaces.
- Replacement of 6,600 lineal feet of sidewalk.
- Initiation of window and roof replacement
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