USS Arizona Memorial
The old Memorial Lounge will be replaced by a new one that will be easily accessible to all. It will be on the first floor, right next to one of the main entrances to the building. The room will be specifically designed to display the artifacts. But the actual structure of the building will incorporate the memorial in a large-as-life sense by having one wall replicate the curve of the bow of the USS Arizona.

There will be a walkway known as "The Canyon" between the east and west sides of the new building. The east wall of the canyon will be curved to replicate the silhouette of the U.S.S. Arizona. The tip of the wall will extend beyond the Union/Bookstore, and the bell will be hung in an opening in the wall, visible to everyone and an important part of the tradition.

World War II Bas Relief
Just recently, The Memorial Student Union uncovered several bas relief panels that were part of the tribute to UA alumni who gave their lives for their country during World War II. The panels have been carefully removed from the building before its demolition and installed in a more prominent location in the new building. Memorial cast bronze plaques listing the names of those who gave their lives in World War I and II as well as in the Korea and Vietnam wars, will also be reinstalled in the new building.

The Clock Tower
For decades, students have looked to the clock tower above the Memorial Student Union. Unfortunately for most of those decades, the north-facing clock has been wrong, and the south-facing clock has worked only intermittently. Architects have consulted with alumni about re-installing a clock on the building that will be more accessible and easier to maintain. The University as well has recently re-activated chimes that called out the quarter hour.

Heritage Hall
Right next door to the USS Arizona Memorial Lounge will be Heritage Hall, a new home for the display of traditions and artifacts created by alumni. On the walls of the lounge will be the treasured photographs of the people throughout the decades that have been honored for outstanding teaching or service so that the tradition of recognition will remain strong.

Favorite Places
The Cellar, Sam's Place and the Gallagher Theater--what's going to happen to the old favorites? The new building will have familiar places in it. Plans to recreate the Cellar within the bowels of the new building are already in place. The theater will be reborn in the center of the new building, with modern theater seating and top-quality sound and projection facilities. Like the old Gallagher, it will also be used during the day for meetings and presentations. Unlike the old Gallagher, it will have a sound system and lighting that accommodates both uses. Sam's Place will be alive and well in more spacious and more centrally located quarters on the first floor.

Tradition Isn't Accidental
It isn't accidental that the new structure will reflect old traditions so fully. Members of the design-build team are former Wildcats, and have sons and daughters attending the University today. Their memories have been incorporated in the design as being as necessary as plumbing and wiring for this building to succeed in resuming its place as the heartbeat of the campus.