After over a year of sitting vacant, UNI tore down the long standing West Gym last summer and the lot has sat empty since. However, that is soon to change. Pending board approval, UNI is set to begin construction on a first of its kind new building on campus. But this building won’t benefit students or faculty, it will instead benefit the campus’s four legged friendly rodents. 

For years now, campus squirrels have been spotted around campus when the weather gets warmer. But when the Iowa weather gets colder, students get sad not being able to see the squirrels. Recently, the squirrels have expressed concern for a new place to live during these trying times. “The squirrels deserve the same high quality living that our students have,” stated university president Nark Mook. “This new home for them will allow just that.”

Blueprints of the new building were leaked last week and show the new home for the squirrels. The exterior will look exactly the same as the old West Gym, however will instead feature rooms that include an in room tree for each squirrel, the new building will include an unlimited supply of nuts and seeds as well as a large in-ground swimming pool. There will also be large floor to ceiling windows on the south side of the building allowing for natural light for the squirrels to enjoy. 

With this being said, students are in a divide about this new building for the squirrels. On one hand, some students are overjoyed that the squirrels will be around yearly now, whereas other students are angry. “I know people really like the squirrels, but I am just not a fan of them and would prefer if they stayed off campus during the cold months.” stated UNI student and avid squirrel fearer Amy Stake. Nark Mook addressed students’ concerns at a recent press conference, stating that “At the end of the day we want to do our best to accommodate all members of the UNI community, even those who reside outdoors and in the trees.”