As a new semester begins, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is rolling out campus improvements to make life on Rocky Top more connected and convenient. More than 40,000 students arriving this fall will enjoy an elevated campus experience including upgraded dining options, additional transportation routes, expanded support services and other amenities. The changes are part of UT’s efforts to support enrollment growth and improve the student experience.
Shaping the student experience
Units housed in the Division of Student Life have implemented several updates to improve the campus experience.
University Housing welcomed students to two new residence halls during this year’s move-in festivities. Poplar Hall, which houses 799 students, and Beacon Hall, which holds 1,160 students, each offer post offices, laundry rooms, community kitchens, study rooms and lounge areas as well as outdoor green spaces for residents to work, study and play.
Big Orange Pantry, operated by UT’s Center for Basic Needs, has introduced a new pocket pantry at the Student Health Center, giving students easier access to free food and basic essentials. The location offers snacks, shelf-stable foods, menstrual products, and hygiene kits that include toothpaste, soap, shampoo and deodorant. Pocket pantries, along with the main Big Orange Pantry location in the Student Union, are open to all current students, faculty and staff.
Fostering student success
A national leader in student success initiatives, the university’s Division of Student Success is continuing its mission to support students’ unique strengths, academic journeys, career aspirations and overall well-being.
The second phase of Vol Edge, an innovative program that prepares students for life and career success, is launching this fall. In this next phase, students will be guided through a high-impact experience such as undergraduate research, an internship, service-learning or study abroad, with pre- and post-experience reflections to expand their skills and learn how to integrate them into their professional and personal lives.
Enhancing campus dining
Vol Dining has introduced revitalized spaces and new concepts to enhance the campus dining experience.
Volunteer Hall’s dining space has been completely refreshed with updated interiors and enhanced seating. New this year is Traditions Deli, offering chef-inspired specialty sandwiches and custom hot dogs. Southern Kitchen, a beloved campus comfort food spot, and the recently rebranded Vol Market, known for its convenient grab-and-go options, snacks, beverages and everyday essentials, remain in the residence hall.
New dining options across campus include Crust, a pizza and wing spot in Fred Brown Hall; Hillside Café, offering build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, omelets and Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the new College of Nursing Building; Keoke Coffee Bar, serving handcrafted coffee, energy drinks and dirty sodas in Stokely Hall; and the Snackin’ Wagon food truck, which will be stationed at Neyland Stadium Gate 21 Plaza beginning in early September, to serve up Southern staples like Nashville crispy chicken sandwiches and deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Cumberland Food Hall will open later this fall on the ground floor of Hub Knoxville on Cumberland Avenue. The new dining hall will host the Athenian Grill, a Mediterranean-inspired build-your-own concept; Big Orange Grill, serving up farm-fresh burgers and Philly cheesesteaks; and Zen Sushi and Wok, offering Asian staples like sushi, ramen, hot wok entrées, and bubble and fruit teas.
Expanding campus transportation
The T Transit System, which operates 34 buses across 11 routes, has introduced a new Downtown Loop route linking campus to downtown Knoxville. The route operates weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and makes stops at the UT Conference Center, Market Square, World’s Fair Park, the Knoxville Convention Center, the Student Union and the Gate 21 Plaza at Neyland Stadium.
The university is continuing its partnership with Knoxville Area Transit, which provides free public transportation throughout the city for students, faculty and staff as part of a broader effort to transform UT’s parking and transportation network and improve campus mobility. During the 2024-25 academic year, the Volunteer community took more than 165,000 rides on KAT buses.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)