14 new things Miami University students will see in the 2026-2027 academic year
Renovated spaces, new intramural fields, GoBus, and more
14 new things Miami University students will see in the 2026-2027 academic year
Renovated spaces, new intramural fields, GoBus, and more
1. Renovated Bachelor Hall open, art museum closed
As Miami University’s hub for the humanities, the renovated Bachelor Hall will be a dynamic, interactive, and collaborative space. A dedication will be held Sept. 25.
Miami’s Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum is closed for renovations and slated to reopen next fall. The outdoor sculpture park will stay open and the disc golf course on the museum grounds remains accessible.
Demolition took place this summer for Wells Hall, Hanna House, Joyner House, and Williams Hall. The construction fences are expected to come down after restoration of the site is complete around mid-October.
2. New and expanded intramural fields
The newly expanded multi-use intramural fields at Chestnut Fields opened on Aug. 10. They feature multi-use synthetic turf fields with sports lighting that will support two full-sized soccer fields, two softball fields, three flag football fields, as well as rugby, lacrosse, and Ultimate Frisbee fields.
New rec fields and courts at Millett South Lawn include synthetic turf multi-use intramural soccer and flag football fields. Students will be able to play pickleball, tennis, and basketball on the new courts by Sept. 3 and enjoy the new dog park, outdoor workout space, and walking trails by Oct. 1.
Groundbreaking will begin in mid-September on Miami University’s new multipurpose arena, with expected completion of the arena by fall 2028. Construction fencing has been placed around the project site at Cook Field.
3. First 13 departments participate in ‘AI in the Majors’
The goal of Miami University’s AI in the Majors, a discipline-specific, faculty-led curriculum initiative, is for every undergraduate student to graduate with artificial intelligence (AI) competencies aligned with their professional fields.
The first 13 departments, impacting an estimated 4,925 students, will start this fall for the 2026-2027 academic year. Those volunteer departments are: Accountancy; Anthropology; Art; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Educational Psychology; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Languages, Literatures, and Writing (now part of the Department of Communication, Humanities, and Professional Studies); Mathematics; Physics; Sport Leadership and Management; Speech Pathology and Audiology; Statistics; and Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry. Read the story.
4. New mental health initiative, ‘I’m Listening’
Developed in response to student input gathered through the Student Wellness Advisory Group (SWAG), Student Life’s new campus-wide initiative, "I’m Listening," will be rolled out in earnest this fall following a pilot last spring.
The concept is simple: Miami faculty and staff volunteers — the listeners — sit beside a banner that reads, “I’m Listening. Talk to me about anything.” A chair or bench is open for any Miami student who wants to stop and talk. Students can talk about anything — school, relationships, sports, or how they’re feeling. Listeners can connect students with resources when appropriate, but most conversations are brief and simply give students an opportunity to be heard and connect with another person.
Over the past 20 years, mental health and wellness resources at Miami have evolved to meet students where they are. What began as expanded crisis support and an increased number of therapists has grown into a coordinated network of digital tools, wellness spaces, prevention efforts, and personalized care options designed to support students throughout their college experience.
5. Picture this: Red Hawk Plaza
The new RedHawk Plaza, located outside Shriver Center’s northeast corner, was unveiled recently. Featuring a 6-foot-tall beveled-M Miami logo, the plaza will help answer the question, “Where can I take a photo?”
The RedHawk Plaza serves to create brand pride and opportunities for branded photos for students, potential students, alumni, and other visitors.
6. Regionals’ Professional Clothing Closet
The Clothing Closet on the Hamilton campus helps students prepare for a job search by providing free professional clothing for interviews, career fairs, internships, and other career-related events.
Designed to support career readiness and remove financial barriers, the Clothing Closet gives students access to business and business-casual attire that helps them make a strong first impression with employers. Open to all Miami Regionals students, this resource supports success in the workplace from the first interview to the first day on the job. Learn more at Career Services.
Also, Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) is a new partner of Career Services at Miami Regionals, now conveniently located at the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub on the Hamilton campus. OMJ offers a range of services, including job search support, employee recruitment, training opportunities, and assistance with overcoming employment barriers. Learn more at bcwworkforce.com.
7. New geothermal plant (take a video tour)
The two-year project to convert the North Chiller Plant at Billings Hall to Miami’s second geothermal plant was completed earlier this summer. The project began in 2024 with the drilling of 520 geothermal wells, each 850 feet deep, under the south lawn of Millett Hall, a block north of Billings.
Today, the North Geothermal Plant provides efficient heating and cooling to approximately 25 buildings across the north side of campus, about 27% of the current campus building gross square footage. This conversion eliminates more than 5,810 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in emissions (MTCO2e) annually — equivalent to the emissions of more than 1,300 gas-powered cars.
Take a tour of the North Geothermal Plant at Billings Hall with Vince Weatherstein, director of Energy Systems at Miami University.
8. Miami Central replaces the Hub
Miami Central has officially replaced the Hub as Miami's student engagement and communication platform. It is the new online hub for campus events, organization management, tracking experiences, and finding peer connections. Learn more about Miami Central at this Student Life page.
9. New majors and minors
This fall, Miami’s Western Program in Individualized Studies reintroduces a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) in Individualized Studies, which will further expand opportunities for students to design their own interdisciplinary degree program.
The new degree builds on the existing Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies while offering an even more flexible option for students interested in creating academic pathways that span the humanities, sciences, arts, and social sciences.
Also this fall, a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence will prepare students for a growing field. The program was created to equip students with in-demand skills and prepare them for careers in a variety of fields, including software development, data analysis, education technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, financial, and more.
Other new undergraduate majors include Inclusive Education: Bachelor of Science in Education; World Languages and Cultures: Bachelor of Arts; Engineering Technology: Associate in Applied Science; and Mechatronics Engineering Technology: Associate in Applied Science.
New graduate majors and degrees are Health Professions Education: Master of Education; and Computer Science: Doctor of Philosophy.
New minors include Artificial Intelligence for Business, Construction Management, Financial Planning and Wealth Management, Humanities for Leadership, Military and Strategic Leadership, Smart Manufacturing, Writing for Career-Readiness, and Civic Thought.
10. Armstrong’s Shade Family Room has new look
The Shade Family Room inside the front entrance of Armstrong Student Center was recently remodeled with new furniture, device charging stations, and more seating options.
Learn more about what is available at the Armstrong Student Center, including dining areas, study rooms, and digital boards where student organizations can advertise upcoming events.
11. 'Cradle of Coaches' documentary streaming on Peacock
The 2-hour film is now streaming on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s premier streaming service. The documentary takes viewers deep into how legendary football coaches with Miami ties built the game and delves into the history of remarkable leaders, their groundbreaking achievements, and the profound connections that have shaped football’s greatest coaching legacy.
12. Libraries’ Cradle of Coaches collection, AI Literacy Research Guide
Stop by the Walter Havighurst Special Collections and Archives in King Library to see items from the Cradle of Coaches collection, such as Paul Brown's playbooks, historical photos, footballs from meaningful games, and other items signed by and featuring the coaches. This collection traveled to Paycor Stadium for the sneak peak of the documentary and is now on display for students and scholars to enjoy.
The Libraries created an AI Literacy Research Guide and will be offering workshops on Google Workspace (on 9/8) and on Exploring GenAI Tools in Library Databases (on 10/6). These workshops, which require registration but are open to all, will be led by Anna Shaw, Miami's new librarian for Disruptive Technologies.
13. Updated menu at Scoreboard Market
Coaches Corner in Scoreboard Market in Martin Hall has an updated menu, “Where Performance Meets the Plate.” Coaches Corner bridges the gap between the training facility and the classroom, offering a menu that prioritizes metabolic efficiency, rapid recovery, and cognitive longevity.
With mobile ordering, students can grab and go with optimum nutrition — from a cold, creamy, hand-blended protein shake to sirloin, steamed broccoli, and rice. Learn more at Dining Services.
14. GoBus connects Oxford to Cincinnati, elsewhere
A recent major expansion of Ohio’s GoBus intercity transit network connects Oxford to Cincinnati, where bus riders can travel to the University of Cincinnati bus stop on Short Vine Street ($5) or to the Cincinnati CVG airport ($10).
Heading north? GoBus connects Oxford with Middletown ($5), Dayton ($10), Yellow Springs ($10), and other stops north on up to the University of Toledo ($25).
Each GoBus route has service 365 days a year. The Red route from the Butler County Regional Transit Authority’s (BCRTA) Chestnut Street Station leaves twice a day, each direction. Learn more.