Dean's Patio

Photo Credit: Alexis Kramer

Parallel to the Starbucks, is what is known as the Business College Patio or better known as Dean’s Patio. You may be curious to know why this is area is known as Dean’s Patio and reason being is to honor the business school dean of students. An important event that takes place once a month and is valuable to W.P. Carey is “Lunch with the Dean” where business students can have one on one time with the dean himself, to express any questions or concerns that students may have. This area has a great seating arrangement, expansive enough to have available seating even in the most crowded and busiest times of the day when students are coming in and out of classes. Being in a roof top shaded area, Dean’s Patio is great place to get any work done no matter what time of the day under the hot Phoenix sun. Students use this area for many different and useful purposes. No matter what day of the week, students from the numerous organizations on campus use Dean’s Patio to host meetings or to simply meet with one another to enjoy the great outdoor space. 

Photo Caption: Alexis Kramer 

This area is also a great resource to meet with other students to complete homework assignments such as group projects or to help each other because of its central location. Although there usually are four chairs to each table, students typically rearrange the stainless steel patio furniture to make the space more useful to their needs. Maybe what makes this area more inviting is the simple, calm and collected landscaping. Just as you are walking towards the Starbucks, to your left you will find what are two fountains in which seating is provided in the surrounding area. Not only is this area shaded with trees, it serves as a great spot to get away from the hustle and bustle in between the business school and the Memorial Union. With the tranquility of the water fountains, students may spend several hours in this area feeling as if not a minute has gone by getting whatever work needs to be done.