Transforming Campus Aims To Elevate Comet Experience at Start of Fall Semester

The ever-evolving campus of The University of Texas at Dallas has been prepared for an influx of new and returning students for the fall semester with a series of upgrades, including the relocation of the UTD Visitor Center.

"Continuing to enhance the student, faculty and staff experience is paramount to the exciting development of the UT Dallas campus," said Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, vice president for facilities and economic development. "The half-million square feet in new construction underway, additional dining and transportation services - including the anticipated opening of the UT Dallas Station on the DART Silver Line - all will elevate that experience."

The UTD Visitor Center moved to the north side of campus this summer. Previously near the Activity Center, the visitor hub is now located at 2830 Rutford Ave. and is part of Parking Structure 3 (PS3).

"Our tours are becoming more popular and continue to grow, so this space will better accommodate the increased traffic," said Lilia Ivy, director of the Visitor Center.

Since last August, the center has welcomed more than 8,600 prospective students on campus tours and nearly 7,000 additional students through group tours.

In addition to the increased space, Ivy said the new location provides easy access to tour campus housing and visit buildings in the center of campus.

Construction

A topping-off ceremony for the largest active construction project on campus - the Student Success Center/Student Union - will be held Aug. 29. The 360,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in late 2026.

The new Student Success Center will include eight classrooms, a 400-seat in-the-round lecture arena, and spaces for the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Student Success Center, the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, the Office of Graduate Education, the Center for Teaching and Learning and Educational Technology Services.

The new Student Union facility will more than double the current Student Union's capacity. Key features will include a 14,000-square-foot ballroom, a sensory lounge, an outdoor amphitheater, group study rooms, a dance practice facility, a creativity lab, meeting rooms and new dining venues.

On the south side of campus, the third building of the Naveen Jindal School of Management continues to take shape. The 125,000-square-foot addition, which is expected to be completed in summer of 2026, will house undergraduate and executive education programs, the business communications program, a new artificial intelligence lab, the dean's offices and a Starbucks.

Work also continues on the Edith and Peter O'Donnell Jr. Athenaeum's second phase, a 66,900-square-foot music building and performance hall, which will seat 680 guests, as well as a 300-seat outdoor performance space, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, classrooms, offices and meeting spaces. The second phase is expected to open in fall 2026.

Parking and Transportation

Trains are continuing to be tested on the tracks of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line near the UT Dallas Station north of campus. The 26-mile regional rail service will traverse seven cities and connect to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Service is expected to begin in late 2025 to early 2026.

Students can apply for DART passes via the DART mobile app. To request a DART GoPass, they must be an enrolled UT Dallas student with a valid Comet Card. The GoPass allows passengers to ride all DART buses and trains, plus the Trinity Railway Express from Union Station in Dallas to the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station just south of the airport.

Direct Current Fast Charging stations for electric vehicles have been added to Parking Structure 4 (PS4) and parking lots J, T and V. Pay-by-Space parking has been added to UTD offices at Synergy Park North. Pay-by-Space locations at Parking Structure 1, PS4 and Lot F will have updated parking meters with new features, including contactless payments. PayByPhone is available in all metered parking locations; some locations are PayByPhone only.

Virtual parking permits may be purchased online or in person at the parking office (PS3 1.200).

Dining

Crave, a new dining venue in the Student Union Food Court, brings several new types of cuisine to campus, from vegetarian entrees to macaroni and cheese to Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. Crave has replaced Moe's Southwest Grill.

Comet Pi, which is in The Market next door to Dining Hall West, will serve fresh baked pizzas and Italian pasta dishes. Comet Pi occupies the former location of Papa John's.

Also, the new Comet Unlimited meal plan will enable meal plan holders to eat at the Dining Hall as many times as they desire throughout the week.

Visit the Dining Services website, and follow dining updates on Facebook, X and Instagram for more information.