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Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center, First-Year & Second-Year Residence halls

Other Ongoing Projects

Parking

Recently Completed Projects

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Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center, First-Year & Second-Year Residence Halls

Projected Completion: Spring 2026

On the east side of campus, construction began in March 2024 on a first-year, mixed-use residence hall and a new welcome center.

The Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center will be the new home of the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. It will also include these amenities:

• Art Gallery
• Cafe
• Theatre
• Meeting spaces

First-Year Residence Hall Amenities:

• Study/lounge spaces
• Meeting rooms
• Yoga and pilates studios.

A new, mixed-use residence hall for second-year students will be located immediately south of Ruter Hall. Amenities will include:

• Study/lounge spaces.
• Meeting rooms.

Updates

• All buildings scheduled to open by late December 2025.
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for January 2026. 

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Other Ongoing Projects

New Multi-Purpose Sports Complex

Scheduled Completion: Fall 2026

In partnership with Athletics, Facilities Management is making preparations to build a new multi-purpose sports complex and stadium on the site of the current football practice field east of campus. The complex will not only serve as a venue for athletic events but also other large events.

Updates:

• Geotech and site surveys are complete and in hand.
• Design work proposals in review.
  
  

McCombs Campus Center Elevator Modernization and Repair

Scheduled Completion: Fall 2025

The elevators inside the McCombs Campus Center are being modernized and repaired.

Updates:

• Repair and modernization of the two elevators in the McCombs Campus Center began on July 31.

• The personnel elevator on the northeast side of the building will be the first to receive new equipment and will be operational by August 31. When that elevator is back in service, the freight elevator on the northwest end of the building will be out of service to receive the same overhaul.

• Both elevators will be operational by September 30th.

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Parking

Although we are excited to see new construction on our campus, it often affects parking. Stay up to date with the most recent parking changes.

* Dates are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen delays.

Lots Currently Open:

• Cullen Building/Admission Center Parking Lot
• Field House Parking Lot
• Fine Arts Center Parking Lot
• Lord Residential Center Parking Lot
• Maple Street Open Parking Lot
• Maple Street Student Parking Lot
• McCombs Campus Center Parking Lot
• South Mundy Parking Lot
• Softball Parking Lot
• Robertson Center / Brown-Cody Parking Lot

Lots Currently Closed or Partially Closed:

• Dorothy Lord Residential Center Parking Lot: Closed
• Finch Plaza (Chapel Parking Lot): Partially Closed
• Tennis Court Parking Lot: Intermittent Closures on the North Side, Closed on the South Side
• West Mundy/Studio Parking Lot: Partially Closed

ADA Accessible Parking & Routes

No accessible parking spaces have been eliminated. If accessible parking spots or routes become blocked by construction, new temporary spots and routes will be created to replace them. Please reach out to Facilities Management at 512.863.1300 if you have any questions or concerns about accessible parking or routes. 

ADA Routes

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Recently Completed Projects

Mood-Bridwell Hall Renovation

Mood-Bridwell Hall, built in 1908 to serve as a men’s residence hall, has undergone an extensive renovation that blends 21st-century technology with the building’s deep history. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the renovated Mood-Bridwell includes spaces for gatherings and performances, new classrooms, and a coffeehouse. The south-facing upper terrace has been reopened for outdoor classroom use and social gatherings. 

Mood-Bridwell Hall - August 2025

Mood-Bridwell completed skylight - July 2025 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell completed classroom - July 2025 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell new skylight installation - October 2024

Mood-Bridwell window installation - October 2024

Mood-Bridwell construction - August 2024 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell construction - March 2024 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell construction - March 2024 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell construction - March 2024 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell demolition - October 2023

Mood-Bridwell demolition - September 2023 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Mood-Bridwell demolition - September 2023 (Photo credit: Southwestern University)

Maple Street Open Parking Lot

During the summer of 2025, Southwestern University built a new parking lot on Maple Street to accommodate visitors to the forthcoming new restaurant and increase parking for our campus community.

Library Updates - Phase 2

We enhanced and repaired the windows on the Cody Memorial side of the library. These upgrades are crucial for safeguarding the valuable items within our Distinctive Collections from external elements. We are also made cosmetic updates to the 2nd and 3rd floors of Cody Memorial.

Learning Commons

We are thrilled to introduce the new Professor John Score Learning Commons, a dynamic hub for academic support and collaboration at Southwestern University. Located within the Smith Library Center, this innovative space will bring together the Debby Ellis Writing Center and the Tutoring Center, providing a centralized resource for student learning and success. 

Chilled Water Loop & Chilled Water Plant

Phase 1 of the chilled water looped and chilled water plant updates and upgrades are now complete. This work is intended to enhance the reliability and consistency of cooling across campus buildings.

Campus Store Relocation

Southwestern University is excited to announce a new partnership with Barnes & Noble, marking a significant enhancement to our campus bookstore services. In the summer of 2024, the Campus Store was relocated to a newly remodeled space on the first floor of the McCombs Campus Center. The Shilling Rooms were transformed to accommodate the campus store, ensuring a dynamic and accessible location for our university merchandise and academic resources.

Library Reveling

The releveling project addressed the shifting of the foundation under the Cody Memorial/Distinctive Collections side of the Smith Library Center. The university took advantage of the closure to make a number of upgrades, including the repair of damaged interior walls and upgrades to interior finishes. The air conditioning system was replaced to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity for items preserved in Distinctive Collections.

The Cove Decor

A Student Task Force created a new decor design for The Cove. Their design aimed to capture the cozy, warm atmosphere our students enjoy. Enhancements include new furniture, the restoration of the beloved booths, and a wall wrap.

The Commons

The Commons has undergone a transformation with new wraps and acrylics, creating a welcoming environment wherever you turn.

McCombs Campus Center Pergola

With the loss of the large oak tree near McComb’s south entrance—damaged beyond repair during our most recent winter ice storm—we created a new, covered outdoor seating area.

Pickleball Courts 

Pickleball Courts located in the First-Year Courtyard and the McCombs Residential Center are not just your ordinary playing grounds; they are adorned with vibrant SU yellow court paint, equipped with lights to facilitate evening games for students, and thoughtfully designed with ramps to ensure accessibility for all, in line with ADA guidelines. 

Robertson Center Upgrades and Additions

In Robertson, student-athletes will benefit from a women’s locker room upgrade, a new team meeting room, and an audio/video studio.

New Servery in the Commons

The newly refreshed Commons Servery features fresh, modern aesthetics and a completely reimagined dining hall.

The Servery features an open-concept kitchen, and the space has been opened up with the expansion of the entryway to the Commons dining area. The Servery also features an impressive brick oven, where specialty pizzas are created using dough made in-house. A revamped sauté station includes enhanced displays and made-to-order, personalized dishes. The breakfast bar has also undergone an expansion, offering a variety of choices including waffles, cereals, and a constant flow of freshly brewed coffee—available during all open hours to cater to different schedules. The dessert section, previously tucked away, is now displayed upfront, offering an array of sweet treats.

Baseball Field Seating

New seating has been installed at Rockwall Family Baseball Field to provide a more comfortable in-game experience for fans.

Chapel Window Light

The light has been restored to the Chapel windows! Once again the beautiful stained glass can be seen at night.

Bishops Lounge

Bishops Lounge is once again a true lounge space, with areas to relax, visit, study, or play a rousing game of ping pong. Electrical outlets have been fixed so students can use them to plug in laptops and other electronic devices.

Other Recently Completed Projects