'U' Named Among Nation's Ugliest Campuses
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Travel + Leisure Magazine has put a black mark on the Twin Cities, voting the University of Minnesota's campus one of the ugliest in the country.
The magazine said the only feature that could make the school look more industrial would be the addition of smokestacks.
The article was not well received by those who chose the U to further their education.
WCCO spoke to students who said they could not believe their school was voted one of the ugliest in the country.
Most students said the fact that this is an urban university with views of the Minneapolis skyline makes it a great place to study, work and live.
"I think it's a real pretty campus, especially the mall area," freshman Cori said. "I think it's really pretty in the fall with all the leaves changing."
Students said their campus is aesthetically pleasing, and that's one of the reasons they chose to study here.
"I was actually kind of attracted to the buildings when I came here, like the Weisman Art Museum,"
said Anthony, a senior.
Students said they love TCF Bank Stadium, as well as the stately buildings. The numerous lots of green space, in addition to being on Mississippi River is enough for many students to thumb their noses at Travel + Leisure's remarks.
"We definitely have rich other aspects to make up for the lack of architecture," Anthony said. "I think we are beautiful in other ways."
For 37 years, Les Potts has worked as grounds supervisor at the U.
He said having an urban campus that experiences all four seasons is a plus and that makes the U a great place for sightseeing.
"The mall on St. Paul is absolutely wonderful," Potts said. "It's a huge open green space."
Other schools listed as among the nation's ugliest: New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Dallas, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Illinois Institute of Technology, George State University, and the University of Tennessee.
aesthetically
