Bucknell Opens Year with New Facilities to Enhance Student Experience

Bucknell University has opened the 2025-26 academic year with a series of campus improvements designed to enhance student life, safety and community. They include the completion of the West Apartments with a fifth building, improvements to the tunnel for students to cross beneath Route 15, an upgraded entrance to Bertrand Library, and an expanded array of dining choices inside the Elaine Langone Center (ELC).

"These new spaces represent a substantial upgrade for our students," says Moe McGuinness, vice president for Student Affairs & Fritz Family Dean of Students. "The improvements reflect our commitment to meeting student needs and enhancing the campus experience across all areas of life at Bucknell."

Fifth Building Completes West Apartments
The most significant addition to campus housing is the completion of the fifth building in the West Apartments, which welcomed students at the start of August. With the addition of this new building, Bucknell now has capacity for every student who wishes to reside on campus.

The West Apartments complex now houses 374 students across five residence halls. The first four buildings each house 70 students, while the newest building includes an extra floor and accommodates 94 beds. The apartments feature single bedrooms with shared kitchens and bath spaces, four student lounges and laundry facilities in each building.

The new building also features outdoor spaces for community use, including structures to support hammocks, swing tables and a "front porch" style patio area with seating.

"One thing we noticed is that students liked to sit outside," Silvers adds. "We wanted to give them someplace nice and safe to do that. I think that will evolve in the other four buildings over time too."

The "mods" — modular housing units that served Bucknell students since 1972 — were removed during the phased construction of the West Apartments, which began in 2022. The project was designed with sustainability in mind. All five West Apartment buildings utilize geothermal heating and cooling systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the University’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

Safety Improvements at Route 15 Tunnel
 

The underpass, which allows students to pass safely under Route 15 to the Bucknell West Campus, was last upgraded as the Class of 2018 senior gift. Photo by Emily Paine, Marketing & Communications

Students returning this fall also benefit from upgrades to the tunnel that allow pedestrians to safely cross beneath Route 15.

"We did a significant amount of work at both entrances to the tunnel to open that up," Silvers says. "It was mostly opened up to control water, and then we laid it back in a manner that is aesthetically more pleasing and inviting. Hopefully, the students use the tunnel more and don’t cross Route 15 from a safety standpoint."

The redesigned entrances create clearer lines of sight and an improved walking environment, encouraging greater use of the safer passageway.

Enhanced Entrance to Bertrand Library
 

Students pass by the new entrance to Bertrand Library during Monday's first day of classes. Photo by Emily Paine, Marketing & Communications

Bucknell also completed an improvement project at the entrance to Bertrand Library. The project involved removing blacktop, dated landscaping, retaining walls and old lighting. These were replaced with new concrete and flagstone walkways, updated lighting, improved stormwater management systems, new shrubs and plants, and seating areas. The project also added a covered bike rack.

The renovation followed last year’s full replacement of the library’s windows, which was completed in August and ready for the academic year.

Expanded Dining Options
 

Expanded dining choices in the Elaine Langone Center include Yella’s, a New Jersey-based fast-casual chain. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications

Inside the Elaine Langone Center, students are greeted with an expanded array of dining choices, resulting from Bucknell’s ongoing partnership with Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services and guided by student feedback.

Among the highlights:
 

• Yella's: A New Jersey-based fast-casual chain, now serving specialty chicken sandwiches, burgers, breakfast sandwiches, fries and milkshakes in The Bison.
• 'ray & co.: A new açai and smoothie bowl station in The Bison, offering customizable bowls with fresh fruit all day.
• Bucky's Burritos & Bowls: Located in Bostwick Marketplace, this station offers burritos, bowls and salads with rotating proteins, vegan and vegetarian options.
• Avoiding Gluten Nook and Rooted Station: Dedicated options for gluten-free and plant-based diets in Bostwick Marketplace.
• 7th Street Café: Expanded menu now includes All Star Bagels, Old Mill Creamery ice cream milkshakes and a wider bakery selection.
• Revolution Noodle: An updated MacDonald Commons eatery featuring made-to-order sushi, bao buns and dumplings.
• Bostwick Marketplace also received new booth seating and high-top tables to create a cozier dining environment.