@Building, Walter Library IS stunning. I read that it was the main library for the original campus which explains the interior. The mall is super cool and very “university-looking”; however, you are correct that the campus does seem to clear out - on Fridays or weekends or Thanksgiving, etc. There are plenty of kids studying in the libraries or in the restaurants along Washington Ave. or Dinkytown so they’re around (though a lot also probably go home for the weekend). Probably in the dining halls too. It could be that since UMN is in a major city, there’s a lot to do OFF campus.
The honors program seems to have a lot to offer but my daughter and I will learn more during one the Honors Showcases in a week or so. She’ll also get a chance to tour Middlebrook and the Honors residential community. I do have a friend whose daughter graduated summa from UMN-CSE and they couldn’t be happier with the qualify of her education and the honors program. She had been accepted at a pretty elite private but due to finances they opted for a local public education and don’t regret it at all (her mom is an alum of a HYPS so they have pretty strict standards).
Once we attend the Honors Showcase I’ll be happy to update the thread about what the Honors Program entails.