A bold new chapter: Transforming the St. Paul Campus experience

Saying goodbye to familiar campus landmarks is never easy, and it is completely natural if the upcoming changes on the St. Paul campus feel a bit bittersweet or overwhelming right now. But beneath the temporary disruptions, a deeply purposeful long-term revitalization is underway — one designed to give our students, faculty, staff and community the modern facilities they deserve.

This vision is anchored directly in the University of Minnesota’s Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap. The goals are clear: modernize our physical footprint, expand teaching and research capabilities, and create a warm, connected home for everyone who learns, works, and visits here.

Myth vs. fact: Setting the record straight

Change  can naturally bring questions. Let’s clear up a few misconceptions about what’s ahead: 

MYTH: Building removals mean St. Paul services are going away.
FACT: Services are not disappearing — they are simply stepping into a temporary home! While the St. Paul Student Center will close permanently at the end of the fall semester to clear the site for future development, your everyday essentials are staying right on campus. Beginning early spring semester, dining options, study lounges, event spaces, the bookstore, and the Nutritious U Food Pantry will operate out of the nearby Continuing Education and Conference Center (CECC). The CECC will serve as our active campus hub until the permanent center opens in 2029.

MYTH: It’s just a routine cosmetic makeover.
FACT: This is a comprehensive, multi-year transformation. In addition to a state-of-the-art St. Paul Campus Center opening in 2029, we have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new, modern residence hall and dining facility to replace Bailey Hall. Site preparation activities begin in early 2027, with the new residence hall opening its doors to students in fall 2030.

We are also making significant investments in key research and academic buildings across campus. Backed by $34 million from the University and $25 million from the Minnesota Legislature, a major renewal of the Food Science and Nutrition (FScN) building will begin in spring 2027 to modernize its 70-year-old infrastructure, upgrade safety and utilities, redesign the Pilot Plant, and transform learning and research spaces. Additionally, an $8 million partial HVAC upgrade for the 28,000 GSF Poultry Teaching and Research Facility (PTRF) began construction in May 2026, supported by the University’s Capital Investment Initiative, addressing long-standing temperature and ventilation challenges so researchers can safely continue their vital work in poultry health, nutrition, and food safety.

Modernizing for world-changing work

The St. Paul campus is home to pioneering work that drives Minnesota’s economy and feeds global innovation — from climate resilience and plant biology to animal health and food science. Modernizing our facilities ensures our infrastructure finally matches the caliber of research, learning, and community outreach taking place here every day.

As President Rebecca Cunningham recently shared after connecting with St. Paul student leaders:

"The full transformative vision for our St. Paul campus is coming to life — modern teaching and learning facilities, new meeting spaces that bring people from across Minnesota in, and a campus center that enriches our student experience and warmly welcomes our visitors. Really exciting stuff."

Stay connected 

The site activity and visible changes coming to campus mark the start of something extraordinary. This is an investment in our collective future, built around community feedback and designed to serve Minnesotans for generations to come.

To track timelines, view architectural renderings, and follow progress step-by-step, visit the St. Paul Campus Center Project Page. The future of St. Paul is bright, modern, and just getting started!