University of Texas at Tyler - Campus

Campus

UT Tyler's main campus is located on 204 acres (0.83 km2), just inside the eastern city limits of Tyler, Texas. The UT Tyler campus is less than 40 years old, with a modern, master-planned and integrated architectural style of buildings. Because of vigorous growth in enrollment, many new buildings and sports facilities have been constructed at the main campus since 1995. Once located well outside the city's corporate limits, by 2005, the campus was almost completely surrounded by residential housing, and is therefore limited to expansion within its current boundaries.

One of the most prominent features of the UT Tyler campus is the Riter Tower, an 88-foot (27 m) carillon featuring 57 bells. The tower was built with a $1.35 million dollar gift from Mr. and Mrs. A.W. "Dub" Riter Jr. The instrument is not a true carillon, however; there is no console connected directly to the bells. All playing is done on a keyboard in a separate building. The title of largest carillon in Texas goes to the Kniker Carillon at The University of Texas at Austin in the Main Building (Tower); the Austin instrument also boasts a much larger tonnage than the one of Riter Tower.

The Herrington Patriot Center includes a state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio-theater and circuit training, racquetball courts, heated pool and spa, indoor walking/jogging track, and gymnasium/convocation area with basketball/volleyball court and seating for 2,300.

The R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center attracts a wide array of cultural entertainment, and 26,000 patrons attend the performances annually.

On-campus housing options include one dormitory, Ornelas Hall, and two apartment complexes, Patriot Village, which is owned by UT Tyler, and University Pines, which is owned by an outside company but works in conjunction with the college.