2 minute read

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) students and staff were met with an unexpected surprise this week: several campus parking lots were suddenly blocked off without warning, sparking curiosity, confusion, and a flood of social media theories.

“Anyone know why half the parking by the HPER is roped off? There were no notices, and it’s midweek!” posted one student on a local Facebook group.

Multiple users reported orange cones, barricades, and yellow caution tape blocking access to normally available student and faculty parking areas. The surprise closures created early morning traffic backups and forced students to circle campus lots in search of alternative spots.

🚧 A Surprise to Students — and Staff?

The blocked lots included:

  • North of the HPER Center
  • Behind Lewis Science Center
  • Portions of Donaghey Avenue parking zones

Some speculated it was in preparation for an upcoming campus event, while others suggested construction or maintenance that hadn’t been publicly announced.

“We have finals coming up, and this just adds unnecessary stress,” commented a junior biology major. “Even professors are asking what’s going on.”

🕵️ Theories and Speculation

Social media filled with guesses:

  • 🎤 Concert or public event setup?
  • 🚧 Asphalt resurfacing or emergency repairs?
  • 🎓 Graduation-related preparations?
  • 🎥 Filming for a UCA promo video?

One Reddit user claimed to overhear a facilities worker say they were preparing for “VIP visitors,” though this couldn’t be independently verified.

📢 Official Response (Sort of)

At the time of publication, UCA had not issued an official email or alert through its Bear Alerts system or social channels. However, a UCA staff member replied to a student comment on Facebook, stating:

“Some temporary closures are related to maintenance and setup for campus events. We appreciate everyone’s patience!”

Still, without further details, many on campus are left wondering how long the closures will last and how many more lots could be affected.

📧 Students looking for clarification can contact UCA Parking & Transportation Services:
📞 (501) 450-5690
🌐 uca.edu/parking

🧭 Alternative Parking Tips

With some lots blocked off, students suggest:

  • Arriving at least 15–20 minutes earlier than normal
  • Using remote parking near Estes Stadium or Greek Village
  • Monitoring the UCA Transit app for shuttle updates: Download on Google Play or App Store

📣 Got Updates?

If you’ve seen crews working, received official emails, or snapped a pic of signage, share it with us or tag @ConwayBeat on social media.

For now, UCA’s blocked parking remains a mystery—but if Conway has proven anything, it’s that the community always shows up to investigate.

Updated:

You may also enjoy