UNA has made significant improvements to campus infrastructure in the past several months. Continued improvements are planned as part of the school’s efforts to promote student-focused excellence and institutional identity.
As of December 2025, the Board of Trustees has plans to continue their investments in maintenance and renovations. Likewise, they have plans to enhance safety as the university continues to grow.
The improvements include new classrooms, decor, flooring and pavement around the majority of on-campus buildings.
In an attempt to add more appealing decor, the Honor’s College’s Colby Hall has renovated their interior furniture, as well as updated their side kitchen entrance.
BreAnne White, whose minor is in Interior Architecture and Design, said that something she has learned from her courses is that the environment and decor can make or break the energy in a room.
“You wouldn’t want to walk into a classroom with no windows and plain beige walls, would you?” White said. “Changing things like paint colors, allowing more natural light in, or even some posters on the wall can create a much more welcoming space for students.”
The exterior of Colby Hall is also in the process of an upgrade. Two new sidewalks will be paved to connect Colby Hall to the campus.
The Amphitheater and other sidewalks across campus have been widened. The landscaping has been refreshed in order to accomplish the Board of Trustees’ goal of “support[ing] student use of spaces.”
Cate Dill, a graduate student at UNA, had concerns about the safety of the walkways from the dorms to the main campus.
“One thing I wish they would improve is making safer walkways for the dorm residents when going to [the] main campus,” Dill said. “I think that once the new dorm building is complete, they could reopen the bridge and have that as a more safe option.”
Michelle Eubanks, the executive director of University Media and Public Relations, responded.
“We have added a sidewalk from Olive Hall toward the Student Recreation Center, and the City of Florence has plans to widen sidewalks along Pine Street from Mattielou to Irvine.” Eubanks said.
The Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professionals has also expanded. After renovations to the first floor of Stevens Hall, ACONHP has room for a new classroom, two new labs, offices and a mock apartment. The addition of a new conference room is set to house the new Occupational Therapy programs.
Collier Library and Information Services discarded non-essential volumes held in their off-site storage. Other off-site volumes were reincorporated into Collier’s collection. The off-site location, former off-campus bookstore, will allow UNA to expand into the off-campus bookstore for other projects.
Sanders College of Business and Technology renovated an office into a new student lounge that was opened late Fall 2025.
The Division of Athletics has seen big changes. Athletics saw the addition of the Cox Creek Turf Field, as well as a four-lane track. Mike. D. Lane Field, for baseball, finished construction last year. More progress was made with Bank Independent Stadium, as well as Bobby Wallace Field for football and soccer.
The completion of these projects is just around the corner.
“Bank Independent Stadium and Bobby Wallace Field are on track for completion in time for a September opening.” Eubanks said.
Construction on the stadium has made it difficult for students to traverse due to traffic cones and equipment interfering with a main road.
“I hate driving that way, because there is only one lane,” Presley Hall, a senior in the Communications department, said. “Also, there’s trucks that are always backing out and we have to come to a stop and everything.”
Construction may affect Pine St. even after construction on the stadium is finished.
“Traffic may continue to be affected on Pine Street pending construction at LaGrange Residence Hall.’ Eubanks said.
CB&S Bank Arena made changes to the women’s basketball locker room, as well as to the Hall of Honor. The Board stated that these infrastructures will “provide long-overdue facility enhancements.”
Parking has also been updated. Over 80 parking spaces were added in 2025. There are plans to add at least another 187 parking spaces for students in the upcoming year.
The construction of a new housing faculty has created over 188 new beds for campus residents. LaGrange Residence Hall will be the first new hall in a decade.
Housing and Residence Life have also completed their renovations to the carpet and showers in Rice and Rivers Hall. Twin Oaks Apartments floors were upgraded as well.
Haley Hubbard, who lives in a campus apartment, Gilbert Court, thought improvements could be made to her apartment complex.
“The landscaping is pretty bad. There is a spot in front of my apartment, and when it rains, it floods because it caves in. [The] parking lot is really bumpy and the bottom of my car often hits the bumps,” Hubbard said.
She added that when she first moved in her oven wouldn’t close and her toilet was wobbly. She was thankful that the apartment had gotten her through the ice storms and liked that her neighbors seemed calm.
Renovations to Gilbert Court may not be in the works, as Gilbert Court is owned by Sundance Property Management.
“Gilbert Court is not owned by the University. It is available to UNA students through an agreement that would allow only UNA students to lease these apartments.” Eubanks said.
The GUC has been busy with renovations and will remain busy into the new year. Chairs, canopies and windows are all updated, as well as new carpeting on the second floor. The Performance Center will see updated stage curtains and a complete refurbishing. The banquet hall located in the GUC will receive a new sound system for improved audio quality.
In Spring 2026, bids will open for a new Engineering and STEM building. Students can look forward to two major faculty projects.
