MUST-SEE BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS

A guide to explore and enjoy UNC Charlotte

by Max Young Copy Editor

UREC

March 13, the day that COVID-19 stole UNC Charlotte’s hottest workout facility. University Recreation (UREC) was closed to the niner nation as students, and on-campus residents were sent home due to the pandemic.UREC has several floors that offer different workouts, rooms for classes and both an indoor and outdoor pool. Now, as UNC Charlotte expects to be at 100% capacity, UREC is back and better than ever, baby!

Prospector

Located near most of the academic buildings, Prospector is your one-stop shop for getting lunch between classes and receiving care packages from home. Home to UNC Charlotte’s Chick-fil-A, Salsarita’s and more, you can definitely find some food to eat the pain of college away. Prospector’s lower level is essentially a fully functioning US Postal Service. Across from the mail services, REPROS offers printing and copying for all your stationery needs. Swing by Prospector, and utilize all of its resources.

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center (SHC) provides many different medical services from health education, wellness promotion and primary medical care. SHC caters to all UNC Charlotte students, regardless of the type of health insurance they have. The center also has an operational pharmacy that can receive any prescription from your primary care provider and SHC doctors. For some, it can be hard to fall ill away from home. Taking advantage of all UNC Charlotte’s wellness resources will ensure a safe and healthy time in Charlotte. Popp Martin Student Union

The Popp Martin Student Union is the heart of the UNC Charlotte campus community. It houses the bookstore to get all of the forty-niner merchandise you can dream of (and your textbooks, of course). There are so many services available in the Union, like a hair salon, movie theater and most importantly, the Student Niner Media offices. Hungry? Pop on over to the market, Bojangle’s, Wendy’s or the all new Shake Smart. The quintessential part of every college experience is to live amongst students. The Union is the place for just that.

Student Activity Center

The Student Activity Center referred to as “The SAC,” holds the 9,000 seat Halton Arena, where fans can watch a plethora of 49er sporting events. Additionally, the SAC has a cvlimbing wall, fitness center, indoor track and several event spaces. Get loud sports fans, and cheer on the 49ers at the SAC.

Jerry Richardson Stadium

Like the SAC, Jerry Richardson Stadium is the prime sports venue. UNC Charlotte’s football team has always been a part of the culture here, even though it is still a relatively new program. A part of every Niners’ experience is to go to the student section and cheer on the 49ers. Occasionally, the stadium will hold a concert, movie or even graduation, depending on the presence of a global pandemic. Grab a seat, and enjoy some good old-fashioned football.

Botanical Gardens

UNC Charlotte’s beloved Botanical Gardens are located across from the Greenhouse on Craver road. The gardens can be an escape from the hustle and bustle of college life. Open during daylight hours, you can follow the trails, see some wildlife and even go tov the tomb of Bonnie Cone, UNC Charlotte’s founder. Get lost in nature, and learn to appreciate the beauty of the world.

Cone University Center

The Cone University Center is the pinnacle of student resource and interactivity. Upper Cone has the Niner Central offices, which help students with any financial qualms that have arisen. Lower Cone has a stage where some performances are held and has plenty of seating to hang and study with friends or alone. Besides being the home to several dining options, such as Subway and Panda Express, Cone is a great place to enjoy some chow and destress.

The Light Rail

You need to get somewhere and don’t have a car or simply don’t want to drive or rideshare? The light rail is free for all students and the perfect transport to Uptown Charlotte or anywhere on the line. If asked, just show the staff or the occasional police officer your student ID and that counts as your ticket for the ride. Charlotte can feel very big, and public transportation can make it easier to navigate and explore the city.

The Library

The Murrey J. Atkins Library is where students spend most of their time studying, learning or creating something in Area 49. Area 49 is a space where students can create their own projects, from 3D prints to podcasts. Study rooms are easily accessible by securing a space online to study with a group of people before an exam or to work on a project. The building is very tall and the tenth floor is always on every niner’s bucket list before graduation. The library is the best place to engage with your education and have some fun along the way.

Photo by Niyathi Sulkunte