The Lugano campus developed around an existing neo-classical structure that was originally the city hospital circa 1996. Several state-of-the-art buildings have been added, most notably Informatics (2007), Aula Magna, Aule, Library, and LAB.
The main building consists of four floors containing: Communications and Economics offices (1-3), the Executive Centre, four computer labs (1), classrooms (1-3), the ALaRI institute (4), dining-center (2)(Q1-2007), and third-floor auditorium (3)(Q3-2007). The library is four floors tall: study tables line the interior, and a moderate collection of books and periodicals extend to the periphery; books can be requested from other libraries (e.g. ETH Zurich). The LAB has six floors: three floors dedicated as partitioned study & research space for Economics students; its name originates from its purpose as ETH Zurich's Chemical & Applied Biosciences Department.
he Aule, informally known as "Palazzo Rosso" (Red Building), hosts six classrooms on its three floors, and is commonly used by Economics and Communications faculties. The modern-looking concrete & metal Informatics building finished in 2007 contains classrooms (1), offices and study areas reserved for CS students and mentors (2-3). The university parking lot is hosted underneath Informatics and Aule.
Aula Magna is a university's convention hall and capable of seating over 1,000 people; it is used to host university conferences, speeches, and classical music concerts; and solely the entrance to the hall is visible above ground. South of the main building, the Central Services offices houses the presidency and core services of the university, and the Institutes provide offices for PhD students, assistants, and other research students.
Infrastructure
On-campus buildings require student ID badges for access to university facilities. Campus-wide Wi-Fi and wired Internet access connects students to the Swiss SWITCH network.
There is an apartment building owned by the school in town (Casa dell' Accademia). Other apartments are obtained through local agencies.
Student life and culture
The University of Lugano had 2157 students in 2006-2007[1]; of these 997 (48%) are Swiss, and 1142 (52%) are foreign - from Italy (33%) or from thirty other nationalities (19%). Exchange students (see Erasmus) for 2006-2007 were 116 (5%).
In leisure time, students participate in city-sponsored tourism events[2], school-sponsored sporting activities[3], and student associations[4], despite the town's small population. Eight student associations have been established, with student clubs oriented around economics (AIESEC, Finance Floor USI), informatics (EESTEC, IEEE student branch), and communications (L'universo newspaper). Student clubs help orient students beyond the scope and purpose of the university orientation program, providing both professional guidance and information in career choices, and shorter-term personal experience sharing on services and entertainment within student financial means otherwise not advertised in Lugano.