UNLV marks 50th anniversary, continues growth in 2007

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This year is going to be a big one for UNLV.

The campus will see the completed construction of four buildings while work will begin on another. The university also will host several local, regional and national events and performing arts programs. Students also will participate in several new experimental programs.

50TH ANNIVERSARY

* UNLV will spend the beginning of 2007 preparing for its 50th anniversary celebration in the 2007-2008 academic year. UNLV Public Affairs Specialist Tony Allen said the university is planning a variety of events for fall 2007.

Allen said the university will dedicate the year to celebrating the uncommon accomplishments of students, faculty, alumni and community members.

The anniversary will feature various exhibits, including a collection of memorabilia. Currently, UNLV is searching for items for the exhibit. UNLV already has items such as yearbooks in its archives.

Curators are looking for sports and club uniforms, megaphones, freshman beanies, homecoming sashes, report cards, acceptance letters, university correspondence, event programs, posters, tickets, student government election items, photos and other personal keepsakes.

More information on donating for UNLV's 50-year history can be found at celebrating50.unlv.edu.

CONSTRUCTION

* Four new buildings will be completed in 2007, including phase two of the new student union.

Once completed, the student union will be 135,000 square feet, expanded from its original 77,000 square feet. The old student union was demolished during the fall 2006 semester.

Phase two is set to be completed this summer and includes a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, a game room, convenience store, retail stores and outdoor patio seating.

* The student recreation center also will open this summer. The 184,377-square-foot center will contain high-tech weight and fitness centers, rooms for exercise classes, basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts, a whirlpool, juice bar, vending area and a social lounge.

The student health center, counseling and psychological services and a club sports resource room also will be housed in the recreation center.

* The Boyd School of Law will have a new Thomas & Mack Moot Court that is slated to be done in March. The building, located on the east side of the law school, will have a large enough space to act as a host site for judicial proceedings by state and federal courts.

In addition to administrative offices, the building also will have a fixed-bench courtroom and 180-seat auditorium.

* The Science, Engineering and Technology building is set to be completed this year, as well. The 190,000-square-foot design includes laboratories, teaching space, smart conference rooms and integrated research space.

Allen said the university hopes to attract students from high-demand fields, such as computer science, environmental engineering and electrical engineering, with the new facility.

* Construction has begun on the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs building, located at the corner of Maryland Parkway and University Avenue. The groundbreaking will take place at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24 on campus.

The 121,000-square-foot building will include classrooms and broadcast studios, as well as UNLV's radio and television stations and a 190-seat auditorium. The building will be home to journalism and media studies, communication studies, criminal justice, public administration, social work and environmental studies.

UNLV also plans to move forward on Midtown UNLV, a project that will include the revitalization of Maryland Parkway as a gateway to UNLV. The project's goal is to integrate the surrounding community with UNLV and create a college corridor in Las Vegas.

COURSES

UNLV will offer 15 experimental courses this spring semester.

Advanced CSI will help students examine the theories and techniques used in advanced crime-scene investigations through hands-on training.

Afro-American Artists will study the historical perspectives, esthetics and contributions made by African-American artists in the 20th century.

Students will learn the basics of podcasting in Exploding Radio. The students' audio projects will be broadcast through a link on the KUNV Web site.

A complete listing of experimental classes are available at www.unlv.edu.

PERFORMING ARTS

In addition to UNLV's myriad performing arts groups, several traveling performances will appear on UNLV's stages during the spring semester.

* The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will perform traditional folk dances at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 in Artemus Ham Hall. Tickets are $40 to $85.

* The Toscanini Philharmonic, under the direction of New York Philharmonic conductor Lorin Maazel, will appear in Artemus Ham Hall at 8 p.m. Jan. 27. Tickets are $45 to $95.

* Nevada Conservatory Theatre will present "The Glass Menagerie" beginning Feb. 9. Tickets are $25, with a $5 discount for seniors, military and students.

* The Moscow Festival Ballet performs "Swan Lake" at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 at Artemus Ham Hall. Tickets are $45 to $90. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at www.unlvtickets.com.