Over the past few years, Samford students have become familiar with campus renovations and new construction projects. Many have become too familiar, lamenting the noise, traffic impediments, limited parking and the effect of construction on campus beauty.
In an interview, President Beck Taylor provided necessary updates on Samford Horizons’ various projects, reflecting on the progress already made and looking ahead to ongoing and planned projects.
“Samford Horizons anticipated a phased approach to campus development that would last ten years or so as the university grew in enrollment, academic programs and student life,” said Taylor.
This process began with phase one, opening with renovations to the cafeteria and the newly renovated and expanded rec center in Seibert Hall.
“I hope those projects confirmed that progress was worth the inconvenience and challenges that always come with large construction projects,” Taylor said.
The ongoing projects are at the end of phase one, including four new residence halls and a new parking deck.
Taylor noted that these projects are scheduled to be finished this coming fall. Taylor believes that expanded housing and parking will ease a lot of the congestion on campus, bringing 650 more students to live on campus in the fall.
Although he noted that roads may still be closed to move pieces for construction, he assured students that construction is timed to minimize impeding student life and traffic.
“We’ll continue to ask for the community’s grace and patience as we continue these projects,” he said.
Taylor communicates that Samford’s goal in the construction is not to expand Samford, but to account for the students already on campus. Achieving a 75% residency rate is a major goal for Samford Horizons.
Samford anticipates what it needs as it continues to grow, preparing for phase two, which will include more upperclassmen housing.
Samford is considering utilizing property south of Lakeshore Drive, bringing more amenities closer to campus, like retail and restaurants.
When asked if Samford sought to buy more nearby land, Taylor noted that this was not part of Horizons’ plans. However, Samford may purchase private homes near campus as they go for sale to acquire more property.
Alluding to future plans, Taylor noted that Samford has done a lot in the past ten years to renovate academic buildings, and they want to continue to do so.
“We have a few facilities on the quad that have not yet received the magic touch—the kind of renovations that other facilities have.” Taylor said. “Those would include DBH, Davis Library, Brooks Hall and elements of Robinson Hall, the law school.”
Samford is working to renovate those buildings as quickly as possible.
Taylor notes that Samford, despite its growth, is still relatively very small. Samford’s business plan calls for them to grow around 2% every year.
“While growth is imperative, we want to grow responsibly and sustainably,” Taylor said. “Universities are either growing and dying or shrinking and dying.”
Samford Horizons is not seeking to address just one need of the campus; the goal is to make progress on all fronts affordably. Taylor wishes it could all be done instantly and simultaneously but recognizes that is unrealistic.
“Everything we are doing is part of a vision to create a world-class residential campus. Our students come here to learn, but they also come here to live.” said Taylor.
Taylor would not be surprised if Samford’s policies for students on campus continued to change to fit the projects being completed. Samford will also now be able to enforce its existing policy for students under 21 to live on campus.
“Students have been amazingly patient as they’ve had some pretty significant construction on campus,” said Taylor.
Current students, however, are not as consistently optimistic about the ongoing construction projects despite enjoying what has already been fulfilled.
“It makes our beautiful campus look a little rusty and dusty; of course, it’ll all look good in the end, but the current state of Samford is very cluttered,” said Freshman economics student Max Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, however, recognizes that freshman going forward will have an incredible experience with the new dorms, the rec and dining all being closer than they’ve ever been. He, however, wishes these projects could have been completed before he came to Samford.
Present construction will unavoidably have negative effects on the current students, but Samford Horizons seeks to make Samford a world-class institution for the next generation of Bulldogs.
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