Building, Revitalizing a Campus With Help From Our Friends

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2013) — With the support of policymakers, alumni and donors, the University of Kentucky has undertaken an ambitious campaign to revitalize its campus core to improve living, learning and research spaces.

In the last two years, more than $600 million in new construction has been approved or started by the UK Board of Trustees and the institution.

"And we're doing it unlike any other institution in America — with private investment, unique partnerships and no new state dollars," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "Right now, more construction of new living and learning facilities is underway or are being planned than at any other time in our history."

Residence Halls

In August 2013, 601 new residence hall beds — with high-tech learning spaces — opened. These residence halls house the UK Honors Program, faculty offices and the most modern living spaces in all of higher education.

Another 4,000 beds across campus are under construction now and will open over the next two years.

"Through a public-private partnership, UK is transforming the living spaces we provide for students and the way we teach them," Capilouto said. "And we are creating jobs — this initiative bolsters the state's economy by creating 7,384 direct and indirect jobs and nearly $7 million in state/local taxes."

Learning and Research Space

In October 2013, UK broke ground on the renovated and expanded Gatton College of Business and Economics. This $65 million project will create new classrooms, a high-tech trading floor, conference center and spaces for faculty, committed to making Gatton one of the top business schools in the country. This project will be funded through the generosity of donors, and they have committed over $45 million so far.

In addition, this winter, UK begins work on a more than $100 million renovation of Commonwealth Stadium — a renovation that will enable the institution's growing athletics program to continue to fund the dreams and aspirations of more than 400 student athletes, while also investing in our academic programs through scholarships and other initiatives.

And, finally, UK also will begin work shortly on the construction of a new Academic Science  Building — nearly two-thirds of which — $65 million — will be funded by UK Athletics in an unprecedented partnership between academics and athletics.

"We have uncommon dreams and ambitions for our state," Capilouto said. "Our supporters — led by our board and including alumni, donors and policymakers — are a large part of why this transformation is occurring. They have stood with us. And now we are creating a return on those investments.