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Wearing hard hats, smiles, and occasionally looking astonished, the Board of Visitors toured the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC), which is under construction and scheduled to open in January 2026.
With President William G. Kelly leading the way, members of the Board of Visitors had their first look inside the building as a highlight of their April meeting on campus. For Rector Christy Morton and the board members, it was an opportunity to see years of planning and careful budgeting come to life.
Board members said what was impressive on paper turned out to be even more remarkable in person, particularly the sheer size of the building, which will adjoin Luter Hall.
The 83,000-square-foot building features traditional brick architecture on the exterior, while the interior is among the most technologically advanced facilities in Virginia. It will include cutting-edge teaching and research spaces for programs in physics, computer science, information science, cybersecurity, computer and electrical engineering, mathematics, kinesiology, and neuroscience.
The structure is entirely enclosed. Brickwork is underway on the face, and the University’s signature cupola and pillars are being positioned in place. A live video feed offers an up-to-the-minute view of the construction's progress as completion nears the January 10, 2026, ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Before the tour, the Board voted unanimously to adopt modest increases in tuition, fees, and room and board charges for the 2025-26 academic year. The cost of maintaining the SERC was one of several factors the Board weighed as it set tuition.
“We have focused on access and affordability, and I am very pleased with the future outlook,” President Kelly said. “Our priority is ensuring a CNU education is affordable for the students and parents of the Commonwealth and beyond.”
The Board adopted a resolution establishing a 1.25% increase in undergraduate tuition, or $129, for the 2025-26 academic year. That figure is below the previous University projections due to cost-saving strategies and the expected receipt of additional state funds.
The frequency-referenced “blended rate,” which includes tuition, fees, and typical room and board charges, will increase by 2.35%.
The University is also emphasizing the importance of increasing scholarship support for both new and continuing students. That is one of the priorities outlined in the Strategic Compass, a plan for the next five years created by the CNU community and adopted by the Board earlier this year. Board members joined President Kelly, students, and scholarship donors for the annual Scholarship Luncheon, which took place immediately following the meeting and prior to the hard hat tour of the SERC.