UMSL’s new virtual reality campus tour captures students in the Millennium Student Center. (Screenshot)

If prospective students can’t come to the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus for a visit, UMSL’s new 360-degree virtual tour will take the campus to them.

UMSL has launched an online virtual tour that enables anyone with a laptop, desktop or virtual reality headset to feel like they are on campus visiting academic buildings, libraries, student housing, the Recreation and Wellness Center and other places such as the Millennium Student Center, the University Eye Center and the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Along the way, people taking a visual tour can hear testimonials from Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and a number of students about the UMSL experience and all the university has to offer.

“Offering a virtual tour makes it easier to see campus from the comfort of home or your own computer,” said Dixie Williams, director of admissions. “It’s essential to meet the needs of our prospective students, current students, alumni and community.”

Williams said the idea for virtual tours became essential as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and has since played an important role in introducing a wide range of prospective students to the campus. Enabling virtual tours allows international students, students with disabilities and students who may not be able to afford the cost of travel get a glimpse into UMSL life. It also gives family members the chance to virtually visit the campus.

“With the pandemic, and really before that, we needed to showcase UMSL virtually and all that it offers to more than just those who can come to campus in-person,” Williams said. “Prospective students in other states, countries and parts of Missouri can now see everything from wherever they are. Students from as far away as Uganda and Singapore have been able to tour UMSL because of this virtual tour.”

In addition to accessing the virtual reality campus tour online, the tour will be available on touchscreens placed at high traffic locations on campus.

Williams said project coordinators Alicia Taylor, assistant director of admissions, and Jacque Flanagan, admissions communications coordinator, worked with students, faculty and staff to develop the tour, enriching it with some of their personal experiences. She said that was important because the virtual tour serves as a way to tell the UMSL story.

“This virtual tour is more than just seeing the buildings on our campus,” Williams said. “It highlights the services we provide, students, faculty and staff that really tell the story of our amazing, important university and how choosing to come to UMSL will help them succeed.”

To view the virtual tour, go here: https://www.umsl.edu/admissions/tours/