A new president, renovations, parking changes and more – a rundown of what's happened on campus over the summer

If you haven't been on campus since the spring, you'll probably notice some differences the next time you visit. Along with construction and renovation projects that have altered the physical face of campus, there also have been leadership and organizational changes. Find details below about developments that happened this summer.

Leadership changes

The Arizona Board of Regents has appointed Suresh Garimella as the 23rd president of the University of Arizona. Garimella is currently the 27th president of the University of Vermont. Read more about the search process in this Lo Que Pasa story. 

Also, in a June email to campus, University of Arizona President Robert. E. Robbins announced multiple leadership changes. John Arnold, who had been serving as interim senior vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer since December 2023, was appointed senior vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer; Steve Voeller, who has overseen government and community relations since 2018, now also oversees University Communications as vice president for communications and government and community relations; and Christie Harper is leading marketing for the university and is now the vice president for marketing.

Name and organizational changes

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University of Arizona BookStores has changed its name to the University of Arizona Campus Store. The name change is designed to more accurately reflect its offerings and place within the campus community. The flagship location is in the Student Union Memorial Center. Its other locations are the A-Store, located at McKale Memorial Center, and the Health Sciences Campus Store. Also:

• Arizona Dining has announced several changes for the fall semester: It will now operate Café Bolo, which had been a Wolfgang Puck Catering site, at the Health Sciences Innovation Building; Cork & Craft on the ground level of the Student Union Memorial Center will offer new items on its dinner menu; and Sabor and Saffron Bites at the Union will offer express catering. There also are plans to open for a gift basket shop in the next few months.
• Effective with the start of the fall semester, the iSchool will become the College of Information Science. (Read more about the change in this LQP story.)
• Online, Distance and Continuing Education has been renamed Outreach, Distance and Continuing Education. The office includes the Near You Network of distance education locations and the office of Continuing and Professional Education.

Building and renovation projects

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The new Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine complex on North Cherry Avenue near East Mabel Street and the Grand Challenges Research Building on North Cherry Avenue between East University Boulevard and East Fourth Street have been completed. 

Also, several projects are ongoing at the Student Union Memorial Center:

• Work continues on a makeover and modernization of the Campus Store. Upgrades include expanded event and social spaces and specific sections for current and incoming brands like lululemon and Ice Shaker (founded by Chris Gronkowski with support from his brother, four-time Super Bowl champion and Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductee Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski). The store is expected to reopen next week.
• New flooring and upgraded lighting have been installed in the Grand Ballroom.
• Plumbing and painting work is being done in restrooms through the Union. That project should be completed by the end of September.
• As part of a plan for the Union to go cashless, reverse ATMs are being installed at the Student Union Memorial Center food court, Highland Grocery, the Campus Store and the Global Center on North Park Avenue south of East Fourth Street. Users can insert cash and receive Visa cards to use at Union locations or anywhere Visa is accepted.
• Landscape upgrades outside Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road, are expected to be done in the next few weeks.
• At Biosphere 2, lighting is being upgraded above the ocean ecosystem and diesel tanks are being replaced.
• Crews are going through more than 700 classrooms throughout campus and doing preventive maintenance such as painting walls, tightening chairs, tables and desks, and replacing whiteboards as needed.
• Restrooms, green rooms and changing areas backstage at Centennial Hall are receiving upgrades.
• Work continues on the Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media, which will be the new home of Arizona Public Media. Electrical and plumbing utility work is progressing and the framing of walls has begun. The building is located within the University of Arizona Tech Park at The Bridges at the southwestern corner of East 36th Street and South Kino Parkway.

Parking projects and changes

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Parking & Transportation Services continues to install license plate recognition technology at parking garages throughout campus. The technology eliminates the need for an RFID or hangtag to enter a parking garage. Cameras will scan license plates of vehicles entering the garage to verify permit status.

• The equipment is up and running in the Second Street Garage, Cherry Avenue Garage, Park Avenue Garage, Main Gate Garage, Tyndall Avenue Garage and Sixth Street Garage.
• The Health Sciences, Highland Avenue, Honors Village and South Stadium garages will continue to operate without gates and use license plate recognition equipment. Visitor parking is available through the Passport Parking app or the kiosk near the cashier booths. Parking services officers in vehicles equipped with license plate-reading cameras will patrol those garages looking for parking violations.
• Beginning Aug. 26, weekend parking in all garages will no longer be free. Those who park in a garage will need to have a permit or pay for parking. Lot and street parking will continue to be free on the weekends with exceptions during athletic, arts or department events.