Outdoor Spaces
UNLV is on 350 acres right in the heart of Las Vegas, with a diverse array of plants and gardens to discover. Take a look around. You don’t want to miss our 38-foot tall Flashlight created by sculptors Claes Oldenburg and Cooje Van Bruggen, the wavy architecture of the physics building, and the twisted metal of our Talisman sculpture.
Pida Plaza
Pida Plaza
Located outside of the Student Union, this paved plaza is a memorial to a beloved Rebel, Valerie Pida (It’s pronounced “pie-dah”). It is a central location for student activities, like involvement fairs and pep rallies, and a place to meet up with friends.
Points of Interest
- Memorial of Valerie Pida
- In 1991, the plaza was dedicated to Valerie Pida, a student who embodied the true spirit of UNLV. A cheerleader and homecoming queen, Valerie was also a brave cancer patient. She rescheduled her treatments so she could still cheer on our Runnin' Rebels in their Final Four basketball game in 1987. She ultimately lost her battle with cancer, but her spirit inspired the entire campus.
- Flora Dungan Humanities
- The tallest structure on campus at seven floors, the humanities building contains auditoriums, classrooms, and lecture halls, as well as faculty office and the president’s office (at the top, of course!). It is named for a pioneering state legislator and a strong advocate for education and women’s rights.
Alumni Amphitheatre
Alumni Amphitheatre
Located outside of the Flora Dungan Humanities building, the Alumni Amphitheatre is a great venue for speakers, small concerts, and events. This space has a high level of foot traffic, and the tiers are often filled with students studying or socializing with friends.
Points of Interest
- Emergency Call Boxes
- University Police Services monitors a network of emergency call boxes. These boxes are located throughout campus and are illuminated with blue lights for easier viewing at night. In an emergency, calls from these boxes will directly connect to the Police Dispatch Center.
- Academic Mall
- This beautiful walkway in the heart of campus is a site for many student functions, including organizational recruiting, concerts, and events. It’s the perfect spot for the golf cart parade during Homecoming, the parade of flags at the Festival of Communities, and other signature events.
- Outdoor Study Spaces
- With more than 300 days of sunshine, there’s no reason to stay cooped up when you’re cramming.
Student Union Courtyard
Student Union Courtyard
This courtyard holds performances, concerts, and events. This sunny place is also a great place to sit outside to eat or study.
Points of Interest
- Donald C. Moyer Amphitheater
- The amphitheater adjoins the Student Union Courtyard and was dedicated to Donald C. Moyer, UNLV’s first president.
- UNLV Bookstore
- Head here to buy your textbooks and supplies, pick up some gear to show your school spirit, or find a gift for your favorite Rebel.
Flashlight
Flashlight
The 38.5-foot tall Flashlight sculpture was created by internationally known artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Its design references the flashlights that ushers use to guide individuals to their seats. The UNLV community often refers to the sculpture as a beacon of light and knowledge.
Points of Interest
- Judy Bayley Theatre
- Home to many of UNLV’s performing arts groups, this attractive 550-seat theatre features a raked auditorium, a fully-rigged proscenium stage, and a thrust-apron that can also be used as an orchestra pit.
- Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall
- With excellent acoustics and great sight-lines, this spacious concert hall showcases a wide range of student and professional performances throughout the year including ballet, light opera, folk, pop, jazz, and full symphonic productions.
- Performing Arts Center
- The Performing Arts Center welcomes a variety of performances in dance, theatre, and music. The center is also home to the UNLV Symphony Orchestra, UNLV Jazz Ensembles, the UNLV Wind Orchestra, the Las Vegas Music Festival, and the UNLV Dance Department.
Rose Garden
Rose Garden
The garden, which showcases “Show Biz” roses, was founded by local businesswoman and philanthropist, Elaine Wynn, in honor of her mother, Lee Pascal. The garden contributes to our beautiful campus, which is designated as an arboretum by the state — a distinction that fewer than 10 percent of national college campuses hold.
Points of Interest
- Inspiring Inscription
- Inscribed on the stone that commemorates the garden's dedication on June 15, 1989, is a simple quote from poet John Keats: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
Xeric Garden
Xeric Garden
Located directly outside of the Barrick Museum, this 9,000 square-foot garden exhibits drought-tolerant plants from across the world and an efficient irrigation system that combines to save water and create an attractive landscape. Some of the plant-life found at the site includes blue yucca, agave, eucalyptus, jojoba, and the creosote bush.
Points of Interest
- Garden History
- When the garden was first proposed in the 1980s, water-efficient landscaping wasn’t fashionable, and administrators rejected replacing grass with cacti. Don Baepler, a former UNLV president, became a low-key champion for the project, and the garden was later renamed to honor him.
Talisman
Talisman
Those who can spot the letters “U-N-L-V” in the twisted metal of our Talisman sculpture are destined to be a UNLV student!
Points of Interest
- The Clock Tower
- Located along the Academic Mall, the Clock Tower chimes every half hour. In December, it gets into the holiday spirit with its rendition of “Deck the Halls” and “Frosty, The Snowman.”
Robert L. Bigelow Physics
Robert L. Bigelow Physics
The Robert L. Bigelow Physics building has symbolism inside and outside.
Points of Interest
- Color Spectrum
- The color banners hanging throughout the building represent the color spectrum.
- Mathematical Sine Wave
- The curved windows represent the mathematical sine wave.
- Atom
- The separation between the buildings represents the splitting of an atom.
- The Law of Gravity
- The apple tree in the middle of the planter honors Isaac Newton's gravity realization.
- Ripple Effect
- The green rings surrounding the apple tree planter represent the ripple effect.
- Big Bang Theory
- The red ring with palm trees surrounding the building represents the big-bang theory.