Dear Howard University Community, 

I would like to personally welcome you to The Mecca for the fall semester. Whether you are returning to HU or stepping onto campus for the first time, we are thrilled to have you here as we begin another exciting academic semester.

Over the summer, the University has been hard at work making significant improvements to enhance safety, living spaces, and the overall campus experience. I'm excited to share some of the updates and changes you’ll notice this year: 

🚨 Safety First

Your safety is our highest priority. The Department of Public Safety has increased the number of campus police officers and expanded its patrol fleet to provide greater coverage across the University. Security upgrades such as additional OpenPath readers and altered entrances/exits in the residence halls are nearly complete, and new security booths are being added in key areas of campus to ensure maximum safety for our community. Please take a moment to review their essential safety tips at Howard DPS Safety Tips. 

🍽️ Dining and Meal Plans

Our Bison One Card — your gateway to your University ID, campus services, meal plans, Bison Bucks, and more — is now officially managed by Atrium, the platform already used for the One Card. This change makes meal plan management easier and more efficient, with real-time updates and improved accuracy, so you can access your plan seamlessly. Learn more on the Bison One Card Portal. 

The University has partnered with a new dining provider, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. Aramark will focus on revitalizing dining spaces, expanding food options, and elevating the quality of our campus dining experience. 

We are especially excited to announce the new Sandlot Food Truck Village, located in the visitor parking lot, across from the Interdisciplinary Research Building. This space brings more diverse food options to campus and will continue to grow with additional food trucks, inviting green spaces, and convenient parking. Stay tuned for more updates as this dynamic space takes shape! 

🏠 Student Housing Upgrades

The University is making a series of refreshes and enhancements across multiple residence halls to improve your home-away-from-home experience. This includes upgraded computer labs, new and improved fitness spaces, refreshed lounges and common areas, and key infrastructure updates. Stay tuned as these come online this fall! 

📚 Libraries and Bookstore

Founders Library reopened this week following a planned renovation and remodeling. We invite you to be among the first to explore our new Innovation Hub, featuring 3D printing technology, AI tools, and a growing graphic novel collection. 

The Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library has officially become the new home of the iLab Technology Center following the closure of the Wonder Plaza iLab on Friday, August 15. Additionally, the Frederick Undergraduate Library is now home to ETS Walk-Up Support. For additional assistance, you can submit a ticket through the Enterprise Service Center or email huhelpdesk@howard.edu. 

The Howard University Bookstore is also undergoing exciting changes. Now managed by Follett Higher Education, the store will soon undergo a full renovation and rebranding to enhance the shopping experience for students, faculty, and staff. 

🏗️ Campus Transformation

We continue to move forward with the Central Campus Master Plan, a bold vision for campus development, which will include major renovations and relocations this year: 

Wonder Plaza Redevelopment

As part of the ongoing redevelopment of Wonder Plaza, the University is moving forward with plans to transform the area into a vibrant, student-centered hub that will feature new housing, dining, and retail options. To facilitate this development, all existing tenants at Wonder Plaza will leave or be relocated by Saturday, August 30.  

Relocations include: 

• The iLab Tech Center is now housed in Rm. 119 at the Louis Stokes Library  

• ETS Walk-Up Support is now housed on the ground floor of the Frederick Undergraduate Library  

• The Bison One Card offices are now in the B-level of the Administration Building  

• The Department of Public Safety is now housed in the Service Center  

College of Fine Arts 

The phased renovation of Childers Hall for the College of Fine Arts is currently underway. While some classes will continue to be held in Childers Hall, additional instructional and administrative activities will take place in swing spaces, including the Oddfellows Building (1851 9th St. NW) and Building 40 (previously HU Middle School), which is located next to Locke Hall on the central campus. 

School of Communications

The School of Communications has moved out of its temporary location in the Washington MET building. Faculty and staff are now operating in Academic Support Building-A (classrooms), WHUT Station (production classes), and 1250 U Street (Dean's office and graduate-level programming). 

Myrtilla Miner Building

The remaining stages of this renovation include finalizing the spaces for the Howard University Middle School, which is anticipated to fully move in by Sunday, August 31. 

Science Buildings

Several facilities supporting science programs have and will continue to undergo updates and changes this semester: 

• Chemistry Building — A summer renovation of the upper floors of the building is complete. Additional renovation is scheduled to continue through the academic year.  

• Biology Building — Cosmetic upgrades to hallways and restrooms were completed this summer, with more cosmetic refresh work scheduled to take place this semester.  

• Physics Building — Renovation will begin in December. Current tenants will move to modular buildings in the Banneker parking lots on Sherman Avenue prior to the beginning of the renovation

College of Arts and Sciences

Some College of Arts and Sciences classes will also be relocated to modular buildings located in the Banneker parking lots on Sherman Avenue. These modular spaces are accessible via the designated walkway through Banneker Park.

Bison, the year ahead promises to be filled with growth, achievement, and unforgettable experiences. Let’s make this semester one to remember together. 

For more details on these projects, please refer to the Summer '25 Capital Plan and Renovation Projects. 

In Truth and Service,

Rashad M. Young
Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer