High Point University in North Carolina has some enviable campus offerings Students enjoy a first-class restaurant and an ice cream truck - for free The on-campus movie theatre gives students popcorn and sweets
By Sara Malm
PUBLISHED: 10:25 EST, 10 January 2014 |
UPDATED: 15:47 EST, 10 January 2014
Higher education reminds many of gruelling hours in the library, re-heating Pot Noodles and grubby student pubs.
Additional culinary adventures are determined by what can be found in the supermarket's reduced section rather than by what you fancy for dinner.
However, the students at High Point University are having a rather different experience.
The campus, located in High Point, North Carolina, has more resemblance to a theme park than a traditional university, and boasts amenities you are more likely to find at a high-end hotel than at a school.
Aside from the jaw-dropping buildings, a result of more than $700million worth of refurbishing, the campus also has swimming pools, top-end sports facilities and a first-class restaurant where students can enjoy one free five-course meal per week.
The cinema, which shows features straight out of the high-street movie theatres, does not only screen for free, but also offer students complimentary popcorn, sweets and soft drinks.
Should students be so inclined, there is an arcade, a putting green, a sports bar and even an ice cream truck - all of this for no monies.
High Point's 'Greek Village' - a $19million fraternity and sorority complex, ensures that hard-working students can relax in outdoor hot tubs. However, when that is not enough to combat exam stress, High Point brings in masseuses and puppy therapy.
It is all thanks to the university's president, Dr Nido R Qubein, a millionaire entrepreneur who took over the campus eight years ago.
After managing to raise millions to clean up the campus and build new facilities, he now dedicates his life to leading the university.
In a Biography Channel documentary about his journey, Jordan-born Dr Qubein says: 'I'm in the business of planting seeds of greatness in the minds and also in the hearts and souls of our students.'
'All the lessons I have learned in my life, I now bring them to a university campus.'
His work has not been for nothing, although tuition and living costs has gone up by 60 per cent, enrolment is up by 50 per cent and the average SAT score of students at High Point is ten per cent higher than eight years ago.
Last year Dr Qubein told Business Week he plans improvements costing $2.1billion by 2020, including a new sports arena.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2537212/Is-best-university-youve-never-heard-The-700-million-Disney-style-campus-complete-ice-cream-truck-movie-theatre-Skee-ball.html