Editor’s Note: This story is one of a series of stories written by The Daily Mississippian staff in celebration of April Fool’s day.
The University of Mississippi is set to rebuild Lamar Hall after receiving hundreds of complaints regarding the building’s appearance.
UM is renowned for the beauty of its Oxford campus. In fact, the school was named the most beautiful U.S. college campus by USA Today in 2016.
On a campus known for its neoclassical architecture, iconic red-brick buildings and extensive landscaping work, Lamar Hall’s brutalist design stands out — often for worse, according to UM students and visitors.
Adam Maatallah, a freshman international studies and public policy leadership major from Madison, Miss., praised the practical interior design of Lamar Hall yet disapproved of its curb appeal.
“Every time I pass by the building, I just think, ‘Oh, man,’” Maatallah said. “It is so ugly standing next to the Grove. It deters potential students. The university needs to do something about it.”
Record numbers of visitors have toured UM’s campus in recent years. This influx in tourist traffic has translated to a higher volume of complaints about Lamar Hall sent to the UM Department of Facilities Management.
Administrative staff in the department report that UM alumni, visiting families and students have criticized everything about Lamar Hall from roof to foundation. Facilities management has considered hiring an additional staff member to sort through the grievances.
Freshman marketing major Gillian Marquardt expressed similar sentiments toward the building.
“Lamar Hall is a bit prison-like and an eyesore on campus, especially when there are such beautiful buildings around us,” Marquardt said.
UM will resolve the hundreds of complaints about Lamar Hall next month. Building reconstruction will begin after the spring semester concludes.
Many students, including freshman international studies major and Oxford native Bel Monteith, look forward to Lamar Hall’s new design.
“I am not in charge of what it looks like or how to change it,” Monteith said. “But it would be nice if Lamar Hall had a makeover.”
