Upon returning to school, students at Union University were met with several changes on campus, including a demolition site in front of the Penick Academic Center, a construction site across from Starbucks, raised prices in The Lex and chapel services in the Fred Delay Gymnasium.
The demolition site is where the final remnants of the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel lie, making room for the construction of a new chapel building. The new chapel will cost $30 million and will be finished in January 2028, according to Rick Taphorn, vice president for business affairs at Union University.
“Visually, students will start seeing some steel being erected probably around the end of October,” Taphorn said.
As for having chapel in the gym, Taphorn suggested it will be a memorable experience.
“I like the idea that we are coming together corporately to worship. It’s going to be challenging because we have to do a quick setup and takedown; it’s almost going to feel like old times – think your old high school pep rally type of deal,” Taphorn said.
Erin Ferris, a senior music major, reflected on keeping a positive perspective about these changes.
“Even though we have these changes, there’s still a lesson we can learn from these changes. If you like it, and if you don’t like it, there’s still something God’s teaching us,” Ferris said.
The construction site across from Starbucks, while believed to be a sinkhole, is instead a piping issue. When a sewer pipe needed to be replaced, workers discovered that a water pipe was also inside the sewer, with an electrical pipe on top of it.
The pipe runs 250 feet from the connection box down to University Drive, proving to be a difficult replacement project.
Taphorn estimates work for replacing the pipe will begin at the end of this week.
Another change can be seen in the Lex, with higher prices on burgers and fewer food options.
During the 2025-26 school year, burgers were $10.50. The most expensive burgers now cost $12.75. This change has raised questions among students, especially with sushi and candy bars only available for purchase with Buster Bucks instead of meal swipes.
Taphorn discussed the changes in the economy with Gena Mandle, director of dining services at Union University. One example is the significant increase in the prices of cocoa for candy bars and ground beef over the past year which has affected the range of options and pricing of items in The Lex.
Positive changes in the Brewer Dining Hall include the addition of the Powerade dispenser, Sprite Zero to the soda fountain, more plant-based protein to the salad bar and new pizza flavors.
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