By Jilian Geer
TAMPA, Fla. — A popular event at The University of Tampa abruptly halted during Senior Week as the university canceled the highly anticipated minaret climbs due to structural safety concerns. This decision left many students disappointed just weeks before graduation.
Senior Week, which took place from April 21 to April 25, 2025, included special events such as paint night, senior lunch, and the minaret climbs. The climbs allow seniors to ascend one of the iconic minarets atop Plant Hall and have been seen as a symbolic tradition for graduates to get closure and reflect on their time at the university.
On the morning of April 23, seniors who had yet to climb the minarets were disheartened to receive an email from Student Government stating, “Due to this structural damage, Facilities Management has informed us that we are no longer able to host our Minaret Climbs. We understand that this is upsetting, as you look forward to this during your time here as a student.”
Canceling the long-awaited rite of passage left students with mixed emotions.
“I was very upset, considering it is our last week, and along with that, I feel like as seniors we haven’t been granted as many pleasures as I would wish,” said Saylor Jarvis, a UTampa senior majoring in advertising and public relations. “To me, it’s kind of a way to close out your four years with a physical up-and-down that feels like you’re completing something.”
Originally designed in the late 1800s as part of the Tampa Bay Hotel, the minarets are now a signature symbol of the university’s architecture and branding. The climbs are one of the few times that students are given access inside the towers, making it a cherished experience. The journey to the top consists of 61 steps that wind up a narrow stairwell and lead to the minaret cupola, which presents climbers with a breathtaking view of campus and downtown Tampa.
The problem at hand stems from the condition of the floor joist supporting the stairs.
“There is only one minaret that is suitable for climbing,” said Anthony Simmarano, director of facilities for UTampa, “and there is a safety concern with the landing to the stairs leading up to that minaret. Continual use of this area prior to repairs could result in serious injury.”
According to Simmarano, the joist appears damaged and could fail at any time if weight is applied. While no injuries have occurred, the university did not want to risk the safety of the students.
Up until the climbs were paused, seniors who had booked appointments on Monday, April 21, or Tuesday, April 22, were able to enjoy the experience before the structural issues became a concern.
“I loved the experience; it was super cool, and I went with my two friends,” said Hailey Smith, a senior majoring in biology. “I was shocked they cancelled the minaret climb because it was literally the day after I did it and definitely felt it was unfair to the other students who were looking forward to doing this climb because it is a tradition.”
Despite the dismay, the university hopes the tradition will only be on hold temporarily. “Currently, there is no scheduled repair timeline,” said Simmarano. “We will update the campus community as soon as we learn more.”
Simmarano added that the stairs need to be evaluated before a full restoration plan and schedule can be made.
A minaret climb is also offered during alumni weekend in the fall, which is an option that may give the spring 2025 graduating seniors another chance to experience the view from the top if repairs are complete by then.
While the decision to cancel the remaining minaret climbs disappointed many seniors, safety took precedence. As the university prepares for commencement, seniors have been able to celebrate in other ways, but many will still be looking up at the minarets, hoping they’ll have a chance to one day climb them too.
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Thumbnail image courtesy of Hailey Smith.