Sigma Sigma Commons
The UC Master Plan, developed at the beginning of the 1990s, drove the creation of many open spaces around campus. Its purpose was to build UC up from a cramped, industrial, regional school into a nationally recognized, attractive campus, one that would attract more and better students. At the time the plan was implemented, the Schneider Quad was the only green space on campus that was not partially a parking lot (right). Before World War II, University development has been a balancing act between adding buildings and adding open
space. After 1950, no consideration was given to adding open space to complement the construction of new buildings. They were built as big as possible and as close together as possible. The result of this design philosophy can still be experienced while walking on the narrow road between Zimmer and Rieveschl Halls. The Master Plan offered a new approach: Use open space to give the campus a more human feel and plan buildings around this open space, not vice-versa.[1] Sigma Sigma Commons is a large green space generated by the UC Master Plan. Located on the upper end of the Campus Green, it was constructed in 1998 in space that had originally been a surface parking lot. The construction of large parking garages allowed the parking lot to be turned into green space and used as a gathering place. Several events are held at Sigma Sigma Commons every year, including festivals, concerts, and a carnival.[2]
were also designed to hide the ugly Armory Fieldhouse from plain sight, before the Campus Recreation Center dorms were built and blocked most of the view.[3] The Master Plan drawing to the right shows that the hill closest to the Armory Feildhouse was supposed to have several rows of thick trees to further obscure the view.Sigma Sigma is a men’s honors fraternity, the oldest honorary organization on campus. They funded the construction of the Sigma Sigma Commons, including the 65-foot tall Tower of Light, which honors Ronald F. Walker, a UC Sigma Sigma member and University supporter. Mr. Walker died in 1997, a year before the construction of Sigma Sigma Commons. He was a co-op student at UC before becoming the president of American Financial, CEO of Chiquita Bananas, board member of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, and a trustee of Tri Health.[4] The header on UC’s Blackboard features the tower between Tangeman University Center and the Student Life Center, with the flame on top changing color. Every May, the fraternity hosts the Sigma Sigma Carnivel during Alumni Weekend. This event dates back to 1939.[5]
[1] University of Cincinnati, Master Plan Update I, (Hargreaves Associate, 1995), p. 7.
[2] Sarah Stenger, Rachel Alig, and Travis Estell, "Sigma Sigma Commons, University of Cincinnati," UC Magazine, University of Cincinnati.
[3] Paul Bennett, The Campus Guide University of Cincinnati, (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2001), p. 7-9
[4] Cliff Peale, “Deaths- American Financial officer Ronald Walker,” The Cincinnati Post, May 16, 1997.
[5] Dawn Fuller, “Sigma Sigma Carnival at UC Promises Blast from the Past,” University of Cincinnati, May 14, 2008. Web.
Sigma Sigma Commons sits above what was once a marsh with a ravine running through it. Sewers now keep the area dry and the ground solid. This ravine was the inspiration for the “braid” of sidewalks that now runs along the north side of the Campus Green. The two straight paths across Sigma Sigma were designed with the areas of highest foot traffic in mind. Pedestrian routes are marked in red on the drawing to the left. The other paths were viewed as part of a sculpture but were also designed with foot traffic in mind. However, they are not the most direct routes from place to place. The whole landscape was designed as a sculpture. One of the main thoroughfares runs directly to the front of the Engineering Research Center. The hills around this sidewalk are designed to promote a good view of the ERC, as it is seen as an iconic piece of the campus. The hills and sidewalk layout also not only direct traffic towards the main sidewalks, but
