Back on campus? Here’s what’s new at UK this fall
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2026) — A new semester is bringing new names, flavors and spaces to the University of Kentucky campus.
From expanded student support and refreshed dining options to construction updates, here’s what Wildcats can expect.
Name changes to campus resources
UK’s Office for Student Success is introducing new names for two of its student support programs.
Transformative Learning is now The Study Hub and CARES First-Generation has become First Connect. Although the names have changed, each program continues its commitment to helping students build confidence, find community and access the support they need to succeed.
Learn more about these changes.
UK Hospitality changes for Fall 2026
UK Dining is now UK Hospitality — offering new menu items and exciting programming.
Champions Kitchen has several new stations, including:
- Kentucky Kitchen, which celebrates the flavors, traditions and people that make the Commonwealth unique.
- Performance Circle is designed to fuel the active Wildcat lifestyle with balance, nutrient-rich meals that support energy, recovery and performance.
- The Back Porch is where you’ll find comforting favorites from Sunday Supper, fresh-made selections from Screen Door Deli and a place to gather, relax and connect.
The Fresh Food Company is now Social House @ The 90. New stations include:
- Global Noodles celebrates the flavors, traditions and techniques from across the world.
- Bluegrass BBQ features flavors found around the state.
- Drink the Moment serves up specialty drinks like dirty sodas, creative coffee drinks, pastries and desserts.
There are also new retail dining spots including:
- Dough Dolce, featuring pasta, pizza and gelato (formerly the Subway at the Gatton Student Center)
- Cabo Quesadillas, serving quesadillas and smoothies (formerly the coffee shop at Jewell Hall)
- An Amazon “Just Walk Out” store (formerly Blenz in the Gatton Student Center)
- Uncommon Goods for the Commonwealth, featuring local in-house roasted coffee and sandwiches (formerly Einstein’s Bagels)
- Bowl Life (formerly Freshii)
- Bluegrass Beans in the new Martin-Gatton Agricultural Sciences Building, featuring drinks made with coffee roasted by Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Coffee Lab.
- Blue Corner Store (formerly The 90 Pantry, Limestone Pantry and Ag North Pantry)
Construction updates
White Hall Classroom Building (now open): The upgraded building has 46 classrooms, new seating, collaborative spaces and enhanced ADA accessibility.
The Johnson Center (anticipated to open in January 2027): The upgrades will add 40,000 square feet to the Johnson Center. Once complete, the garage and recreation center will be physically connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge.
Upgrades will include:
- Expanded fitness and recreation spaces, including a new gymnasium, multipurpose activity court, functional training area, larger fitness zones and more than 60 new pieces of cardio equipment.
- Enhanced strength and wellness amenities, featuring an expanded weightlifting area with outdoor training space, a cycling studio, yoga and meditation space, dry sauna and recovery room.
- New outdoor and adventure recreation options, including 10 pickleball courts, four tennis courts and a 50-foot climbing wall with a dedicated bouldering section.
- Improved student gathering and support spaces, with updated locker rooms, a relaxation lounge for studying or watch parties, and a new Shake Smart location.
- Transportation and infrastructure improvements, including the new home of Wildcat Wheels, which provides free bicycle rentals and repair assistance for students and employees, as well as upgraded HVAC and life safety systems.
Additionally, Kirwan-Blanding Hall, UK’s newest residence hall, is now open. Martin-Gatton CAFE re-opened the historic Scovell Hall after a comprehensive renovation of the more than 120-year-old campus landmark.
William T. Young Library’s basement will undergo renovations throughout the 2026-27 academic year. With the exception of the GIS Labs, the basement will be closed to the public for the duration of the renovation.
- The Tech Help Desk is now operating out of the Gatton Student Center.
- The Media Depot is now operating out of McVey 340.
- Integrated Success Coaching will be offered online and in-person at Jewell Hall and Patterson Hall for the 2026-27 academic year.
- PresentationU services will be offered online and in-person at the Boone Center for the 2026-27 academic year.
- When the basement reopens, The Study Hub will be relocating there from it current location in the Boone Center.
Additionally, the newly expanded Sports Center Garage (PS #7) has allocated most of the new spaces to residential students.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.