University of Arkansas students, parents, alumni and faculty gather outside the Pi Beta Phi Centennial Gate shortly before an official dedication ceremony Friday afternoon on the UA campus.
Photo: Todd Gill
The University of Arkansas and Pi Beta Phi communities celebrated the dedication of the recently completed Pi Beta Phi Centennial Gate Friday afternoon in Fayetteville. The gate, located on Maple Street at the intersection of the former Campus Drive near Memorial Hall, was built in commemoration of the chapter’s 100-year anniversary on campus.
The idea — part of the campus’ existing beautification plan — was to create a formal entrance to the north side of campus, leading to Old Main, Vol Walker Hall and the historic center of the university. A fundraising effort, launched in 2009, raised more than $1 million in contributions from students, parents, alumni and friends of the Arkansas Alpha chapter.
Students and alumni search for names engraved in the brick pavers at the entrance of the gate. Bricks were reserved and named for $1,000 each.
Photo: Todd Gill
The 120-foot-long gate is 30 feet tall in the middle, and was constructed of limestone, native Arkansas stones and wrought iron. The design highlights the University of Arkansas insignia with Pi Phi’s Greek letters beneath it.
“The University of Arkansas has a long history of alumni and friends who are deeply loyal and dedicated to the university and to each other,” said UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “This beautiful gate is a remarkable gift, one that symbolizes the long and distinguished history on this campus of Pi Beta Phi, the powerful bonds of sisterhood and this chapter’s enduring love for their alma mater.”
Pi Beta Phi, the first nationally recognized women’s fraternity, was the first organization to form an alumnae department in 1893, the first to organize a national philanthropic project in 1910 and the first to establish an alumnae advisory committee for each chapter in 1913. The Arkansas Alpha chapter’s philanthropic activities focus on children and literacy. They have been recognized campuswide for community engagement and academic excellence.
“We are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Marilynn Porter, a member of the volunteer steering committee. “Volunteers and staff worked very hard to bring this vision to life, and we are thrilled to see so many students, parents, alumni and friends coming together in support of this special project. Every gift helped to bring us closer to our goal, and we hope this gate becomes a beloved part of campus for all students, alumni and visitors. It is certainly cherished by the Pi Phis.”
An utterly ridiculous addition to the campus.
I think its a fitting entrance to the old historic core of campus. It was paid for by a campus organization. Its a gift and I think it is pretty nice looking.
If you don’t like it, I suggest turning away as you pass by. You may also need to wear shades – the gate is so awesome that it may blind the little people.
One more thing… Happy Friday!
As a student that had to deal with the incredible inconvenience the construction of this gate presented, in addition to being close pals with plenty of university staff that had nothing but ill will toward this project (it simply made their job suck even more), I’m really glad the chapter get’s their gold star. Really. Everyone who drives by or enters that gate will be eternally reminded that the members and parents of Pi Beta Phi were personally wealthy enough to build a wholly unnecessary, gaudy and all around absurd looking gate. Thanks for this stunning addition to our town’s aesthetic, from the bottom of our hearts.
So no more progress because it’s an inconvenience? Too bad there is a library, or union, or new housing. Bet those construction projects were even more of an inconvenience.
A big dramatic gate is not progress. Seriously, making traffic 10 times worse on one of the most congested areas of campus for the first month of the most overpopulated semester ever to promote your organization is selfish and I think probably created a lot more resentment towards the greek system in general when class sizes are so out of control and many departments have desperate need for more space or upgrades in equipment.
Of course it’s progress. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not an enhancement to the campus. And if you’re too freaking lazy to use an alternate route for 4 weeks (one that is about 20 feet to either side of your normal route) then god help you when you have to enter the workforce. You’ll need more than a degree to get you through life! I don’t give two heaps for the Greek system, but a gift is a gift. What was the UA supposed to do? Turn them away? When did you last volunteer or raise money for the University?
…the gate looks like the entrance to a subdivision, is that progress? Libraries and unions serve a purpose, so keep your preachy work force dribble to yourself. 4 weeks my ass. That drop off area used to be essential for loading and unloading of students as well as university staff, and its been gutted and out of commission since last spring. If the greek system wanted to improve their standing with the community, I think this gate was a step in the wrong direction.
Only someone who has an agenda or who is totally clueless would see a wholly cosmetic vanity project that diminishes campus access and parking for the disabled as “progress.”
Progress: a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. As the article CLEARLY reads this fits with the University’s beautification plan. It was going to happen eventually…. so complain about it coming from private monies some more why don’t you.
Again, calling this monstrosity “beautification” is a matter of interpretation. Perhaps you should keep reading that dictionary.
I’m okay with calling it “grand” rather than “gaudy”. However, I do think a gate – something that is meant to keep people out – is a bad choice. It should have been something to symbolize that all are welcome.
I love how in the photo, no one is even looking at it. They’re all looking at their phones.
Haha! Nevermind, I guess they’re taking pictures of the engraved names. That’s cool, though. It will be full of students bumbling through staring at their phones on Monday……..
They’re probably taking photos of the names etched in the bricks.
Yeah, I figured that out. It’s just such a common sight on campus – crowds of people staring at their phones.
Also a common sight when students are crossing the street.
The gate itself is really very nice looking. That is an awesome addition to campus. Putting a formal entrance right there by Old Main was a great idea.
I think the actual walkway there would look better if it was framed by a big hedge because it seems plopped down and out of place with the surroundings.
Agreed on the landscaping. A hedge would be nice. It will probably evolve over time.
This “gate” is ostentatious and offensive. With tuition rates increasing (and financial aid decreasing) every year is this the best way to spend alumni donations? How many students could have received a scholarship instead? Did it make sense to remove the only handicapped parking within a reasonable distance of 5 campus buildings? Did they have to pretentiously plaster their club name on this “gift”? Do we need another gaudy reminder of the class, gender & ethnic segregation perpetuated by exclusive clubs with no educational function? It seems like the giant houses and seas of neon t-shirts might have been enough to mark the territory. What a waste.
Could not agree more with this. Disrespectful to the student body who don’t happen to be in elitist, antiquated, glorified clubs.
And to all the adjunct professors making less than minimum wage because the school “can’t afford” to give them benefits or any job security whatsoever.
If you’re unhappy with increasing tuition, write to your state reps and tell them to increase funding to the UofA rather than cutting it every year.
And seeing as the donations were earmarked by the donors for this specific project the monies could not be used on any other project, staff increases or pay. If/when you ever get out into the real world and are capable of donating back to the UofA you can decide to earmark your donations to whatever you desire.
I am not a believer in telling people what to do with their own money. If this group has decided to spend THEIR OWN MONEY on a gate, then so be it.
Its not so much an issue of whether or not it was a “gift” funded by Pi Phi. Construction, whatever its intended for, will cause traffic congestion, that’s just the nature of the beast. What is frustrating though, is that this large, pointless Pi Phi vanity project overtook a much more useful location which actually served a purpose regarding ease of disabled parking and transportation. Personally I don’t even find the gate very pleasing to the eye, but that’s neither here nor there. I just wish Pi Phi would have picked a more appropriate location to bestow their centennial “gift” on our campus, rather than overtaking an area which actually served a purpose. Remember those 7 P’s, “Proper, prior, planning, …”
This was paid for my Pi Phi alumnae…not U of A alumnae.
Does anyone else think it look like the entrance to Jurassic Park?…anyone?
I don’t even know how to put into words how ridiculous this is.
It’s a stunning piece of architecture and a grand addition to our University. So much better than yet another hog statue.
Wow, people will bitch about anything!
Yup!
Welcome to the internet, where the sad and miserable join forces to get each other all riled up.
Um, what alternate route could you possibly be referring to? And no, progress means moving forward. Wasting tons of money on a decoration to celebrate an outdated institution while inconveniencing tens of thousands of people is totally selfish and regressive. Luckily they were ostentatious enough with their own symbols for us to all know where to direct our resentment.
Alternate route: the sidewalks to each side of the site. Since the total campus population is only 2 “tens of thousands” I doubt that many were inconvenienced. I don’t recall ever once using that sidewalk during the 3.5 years I was a student. You sound much more lazy/jealous/ridiculous in your argument than they sound entitled by their gift.
It really just comes down to the fact that by adding yet more construction to campus when enrollment is at an all time high, for a vanity project, is a complete middle finger to everyone who lost an extra 20 minutes a day of their lives in traffic. Couldn’t have waited until next summer, really? So entitled.
Twenty minutes??? Did you get around this project via handstand? There were sidewalks open on either side of the construction. (you can see the east side in the photo).
Your 3.5 years must not have been spent all that recently. I would recommend driving up maple around noon any given weekday…you might get what we’re talking about. I’m really not sure what you’re arguing against, my impression is that you weren’t a student or working for the university at any point during this gate’s construction, so you likely don’t have any bearing on the consequences it had on university staff/student transportation and scheduling. The absolute basic fact is that it did inconvenience people. Lots of them. So if you can come up with a way to prove conclusively that this gate had no effect whatsoever on traffic or students getting to and from campus, please enlighten me, otherwise, take your commenting name’s advice and give it a rest.
You are making a lot of assumptions in your comment. Also, please tell me where I said it had no effect? Inconvenience? Sure. Any progress will cause some inconvenience. Were the medians at College & Dickson absolutely necessary? No. Do they enhance the street? Yes. Were they an inconvenience? Yes. Did we do what it takes to overcome the inconvenience? Yes. Did we all survice despit it? Yes. Those of you writing in opposition of this project are talking about things like tuition, faculty salaries, etc. This project is COMPLETE. What can be done about it now? Is posting negative comments on a generous act productive? Is this the best way you could be spending your time to lower tuition, raise salaries? I guess the question is what are YOU arguing?
I’m only referring to driving and car traffic, which most people have to utilize, I kind of can’t believe you’ve just been talking about walking, most people don’t live on campus. And seriously stop calling it progress, it is nothing more than an elaborate ornament that majorly screwed up traffic on campus for much longer than it was worth.
I kind of can’t believe you’ve been talking about car traffic. With or without construction (which did not close a lane of traffic for any length of time) Maple is not the best route anywhere. And seriously you’re like seriously talking just like a sorority girl. And seriously stop calling it an inconvenience. Your being totally spoiled and unwilling to find an alternate route does not make it an inconvenience to “tens of thousands” of people.
#firstworldproblems
Seriously, give it a rest. An aesthetic improvement to our campus which fits in perfectly with the campus’s master plan trumps the slight inconvenience you experienced due to the construction.
We don’t want a 30 foot tall limestone/wrought iron gate because its construction inconvenienced traffic for a few days over the course of a year?
This gate is beautiful. It will be featured in every ad showcasing the campus from now until the Chinese take over.
I hope this project inspires other groups on campus to fund beautification projects. Good thing the Chi Omega Greek Theater was built before every negative nancy had a keyboard and a forum. I’m glad those elitist, wealthy Chi Os decided to build it. Generations of U of A students have memories of pep rallies, concerts, and just hanging out there.
This gate is a new landmark for the campus. Good work, Pi Beta Phi.
Some of my fondest memories are pep rallies, outdoor performances, and studying under the sky on gorgeous days just like today at the Greek Theatre! You are so right.
A theatre is functional, it doesn’t take away functionality from the campus. Anyways, that side of campus is totally torn up right now as well.
Well you should transfer to another school that isn’t so horrible. Problem solved.
Shocking, just shocking that an increasing enrollment and aging buildings requires the construction and renovation of facilities!
I miss the old horseshoe. This is far less functional and a waste of money that could have gone to improve the educational services of the university.
oh, brother people; it’s a nice addition to campus.
thanks pi phi for making our campus a prettier place to earn a degree!
This is an ehancement to campus that didn’t cost taxpayers a cent. The gate along with the campus walk section is the completion of a decades long effort to improve the looks of the central campus. It sounds like most of the negative comments are because of the posters’ animosity towards the Greek system in general and so don’t have merit.
I agree with Daniel Maner.
Oh, so *these* are the names they’re chiseling in the commercials.
I can’t believe so many people (or I guess technically just a few people but many times) are complaining about this project. It is aesthetically awesome. Despite nice sections like Old Main lawn and the greek theatre, our campus pales in comparison to many other established universities from a landscaping/aesthetics point of view. *Especially* the parts that visitors see if they are just driving the surrounding streets in their car. This beautiful entrance to campus replaced an old disgusting lot in the most rundown looking section of the university. Now there’s more green space and walking space for pedestrians. And it was a straight-up gift! I can’t believe people exist that complain about this.
This gate would have been beautiful at the corner of Arkansas Ave. and Dickson Street, or at the Garland/Maple intersection. It would have actually led somewhere, marking the transition between campus and town. As it is, it’s essentially a gate that leads nowhere useful from the campus side. I suppose this is why the gate was closed in the photograph. If they keep the gate closed, it becomes a fence, not a gate. Who are they trying to keep in/out?
I do think it’s attractive. I just think they might have considered function along with form, and made something useful.
To my understanding, there will be 3 other gates at 3 other entrances…
That is good to hear. I wonder what three entrances. This gate project was developed as part of the university getting back to its master plan from the 1920s. Its likely Pi Phi picked it because of its location along the traditional “sorority row”.
The gate is indeed lovely and the construction, while certainly inconvenient, wasn’t any more or any less inconvenient than the complete Charlie Foxtrot on campus the last year and a half. My only beef with this gate is that it obliterated the pick up /drop off on that side of Old Main and made it much more difficult to access Old Main if you have a handicap or if you need to carry large items into that building. Other than that, it sure is pretty, fits in with that side of campus, etc.
I miss the old circle drive that actually served a purpose, but sure, lets make way for something completely useless in function; and not so aesthetically pleasing.
Thanks Pi Beta Phi…
Hey you’re welcome, Useless…
I don’t find it that architecturally inspiring, but that’s a matter of individual taste. What it is, however, is completely unnecessary. No one can argue that this was needed. It’s a vanity project for Pi Phi, period. It’s got as much to do with the mission of education and the University of Arkansas as a lapel flag pin has to do with patriotism.
“This beautiful gate is a remarkable gift, one that symbolizes the long and distinguished history on this campus of Pi Beta Phi, the powerful bonds of sisterhood and this chapter’s enduring love for their alma mater.” Yup, elitists do like their gated communities. What a waste.
We spend our lives working, shopping and living in cheap, functional buildings. A college campus should be a special place. If “function” was the only consideration, Old Main would have been imploded in the 1980s as some people suggested. The towers and floor plan aren’t really “functional” in a sense that they could have been replaced with a more efficient, cost-effective structure. We could have saved so much money by just getting rid of it. Jeez…
Whether a person finds its appealing or not is a matter of personal taste. The materials of this gate reflect the materials of Memorial Hall and most of the older central campus buildings. The finials echo the towers of Old Main. I find it to be very thoughtful and appropriate in design overall. Here’s to more beautiful buildings and landmarks on the campus.
You’re totally right. I have no beef with adding things that are purely decorative. The fountains on campus are decorative, as are statues and various art installations, and they all add to my quality of life on campus. What I wish they had done was built the gate in a way to maintain the handicapped access, as well as the drop off area close to Old Main. In other words, make it a functional gate that allows both incoming and outgoing traffic. As it stands now, all it does is keep things out.
I don’t know how much time you spend on campus, but access to the center of campus is impeded greatly by all the construction and this decorative gate removed access without adding function.
I’ve always thought a nice pedestrian bridge across Maple Street would make sense as a gateway to the central campus. I read that the University will eventually put a garage north of Maple and east of Leverett. A nice gothic stone bridge over Maple near the Graduate Ed building would be nice to look at and also make it easier for everyone to get into the historic core.
I rarely comment on any kind of discussion board but I really, really disagree with this. The gate is entirely out of scale with that side of campus. It blocks one’s view of one of the (if not THE) prettiest building on campus in Memorial Hall as you travel on Maple from the west. A few pieces of stone slapped on the manufactured concrete block in the style of the WPA buildings is an insult to them. There is precious little wrought iron on campus and it looks hideous and misplaced on the gate. In addition, there are numerous people who work in that area of campus who were negatively impacted either because they are physically disabled and now have trouble getting to work or class, or because their positions at the University depend to some extent on it being easy for visitors or clients to have access to that part of campus. I’d hate to be the campus parking director right about now.
As someone said earlier, the overall effect of the gate is one of exclusion or keeping people out. Pass through the gates at Indiana or Columbia or Emory or many other universities and the effect is the exact opposite. I like beautiful things. I like functional things. This is neither.
If you are:
a) a full time student/staff member at the university
b) not affiliated with any campus greek chapter
I’m really interested in how you honestly would defend the aesthetic/functional aspects of this gate. From what I gather, the majority of people singing the praises of this thing meet neither of the above criteria. You didn’t have to deal with the repercussions of the construction, you never used the horse-shoe, and you seem to think that “aesthetics” or “progress” equate to a structure that honestly looks like a caricature. This gate resembles my mental image of a catoonish upscale neighborhood, complete with a mercedes and hummer in every driveway. “Barbie Subdivision” or something of the sort. Is that what higher education represents? Exclusivity? Vanity? Wealth? That’s not how I want my university represented and I think if you’re honest with yourself, neither do you. Yes there’s no use crying over spilled milk, yes things obviously have to change and move forward on campus, but if this is the direction we’ve decided to go regarding “progress” on our campus then I think we as a community are failing. What precisely does this structure even vaguely resemble on the rest of our campus? What precisely does this represent about the gift of higher education? “Progress” should ennoble us all, not glorify privilege. If you’re going to keep playing that broken record, at least listen to the song.