The Eighteenth Ugliest Duckling

Why the U of M campus doesn’t deserve the ranking of the eighteenth ugliest campus

By: Harriet Bennett

As the dead winter looms over Minneapolis, it’s easy to get caught up in the dreariness and melancholy that the gray slushy snow and negative temperatures bring to campus. While walking across the mall, past the dead grass patches peeking through the snow, you may think to yourself, “will this campus ever be beautiful again?”

The answer is yes, it will be.

Complex Networks may try to tell you that the University of Minnesota’s campus is the 18th ugliest in America. I for one have to somewhat disagree. I’ll admit that while walking down Washington Avenue I’d rather not look at Moos tower. The building is big and blocky and looks like it was made in Minecraft. However, does it not give our campus personality? Plus, I believe that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. If you haven’t been inside Moos, I would highly recommend checking it out. The West Bank's Rarig is another popular building students like to hate. As for me, there’s not much I can say but yikes.

So yes, the U of M does have some questionable architecture, but I swear there are parts of campus that are beautiful. Have you ever walked through the mall at golden hour? With the light hitting the ivy-covered Johnston Hall? Pure beauty. Have you ever ambled down University Avenue, expecting to see fraternities but instead stumbling upon the castle-like Folwell Hall? The Weisman Art Museum may be strange-looking, but it certainly brings some artistic fun to your daily walk across the bridge. The mall in the winter may be drab and dreary, but in the spring and fall it is full of life, with students playing frisbee or napping or doing homework, and walking past everyone you can’t help but smile. So while the winter may have you convinced about this ranking, please wait until the spring and you’ll be reminded of how beautiful this campus can be.