At the University of Richmond, our commitment to an extraordinary student experience remains unwavering. We believe the best is yet to come. As we look to the future, we are investing strategically in projects and initiatives that will sustain and elevate our momentum — ensuring that UR continues to welcome, support, and inspire remarkable Spiders for generations to come.
University of Richmond Strengthens Commitments to Talented Students of All Backgrounds
Thanks to two major commitments this past academic year, a University of Richmond education is now accessible to even more talented students of all backgrounds.
The University has expanded the number of students in Virginia who will qualify for Richmond’s Promise to Virginia — a flagship UR program — by increasing the qualifying income level.
Beginning in fall 2025, qualified Virginians whose total parental income is $75,000 or less will receive grant aid equal to 100% of tuition, housing, and food at the University of Richmond.
“We want to reduce financial barriers so that exceptional students at all points of the income distribution can envision themselves as Spiders,” said University of Richmond President Kevin F. Hallock. “We enthusiastically welcome talented students without consideration of their financial circumstances, and we are committed to ensuring all families can see a Richmond education as not only excellent but affordable.”
Hundreds of Virginians have benefitted from Richmond’s Promise to Virginia. Shaylin Bonefont, a 2024 UR graduate from Virginia, said that without the financial aid provided she “would’ve missed out on all of the amazing things and resources that UR had to offer to students,” including small classes, personal relationships with faculty, and the Spider alumni network.
“Nothing should stop students who are interested and passionate about attending UR.”
New this year, the University of Richmond has also partnered with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing accessible and affordable life-changing opportunities to the best and brightest students, regardless of their financial backgrounds. Richmond is one of three new QuestBridge partners this year, which also includes Bates College and Harvard College.
QuestBridge’s 55 partners are top liberal arts colleges and research universities dedicated to increasing the presence of high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds on their campuses and to making their institutions accessible and affordable to talented students.
Additional Access & Affordability Highlights
- Richmond is one of a few institutions in the U.S. with both a "need-blind" admission policy and a guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated need for traditional undergraduate applicants.
- All first-year applicants who apply by December 1st are considered for merit-based aid, including full tuition, housing, and food scholarships and a variety of interest-based programs.
- Through the Richmond Guarantee, every undergraduate student is eligible to receive a fellowship of up to $5,000 for an unpaid or underpaid summer internship or faculty-mentored research project.
A Transformational Project
A significant renovation and expansion remains underway at Boatwright Memorial Library. The transformational project will elevate and reimagine the resources and services available within the library for the Spider community.
“The library is a hub of learning, a gathering space for the exchange of ideas, and a repository of knowledge,” said Joan Saab, executive vice president and provost. “This project will further amplify these qualities.”
The current renovation, which began in May 2023, is on track to be completed for the start of the fall 2025 semester. Project highlights include:
- Creating new, unique, and inviting study and gathering spaces, including a two-story enclosed atrium.
- Moving most of the collections to the basement level to increase study and collaboration space on the main levels.
- Relocating and expanding the existing 8:15 at Boatwright café to the ground level.
- Reconfiguring the outdoor terrace with enhanced lake views, planters, and a green roof.
- Creating additional entrances and enhancing access into the library, including from the lake level.
- Improving access to key spaces including the Book Arts Studio, Rare Books & Archival Collections, and the Lora Robins Gallery.
“We are ultimately creating a modern, academic environment that is more vibrant, more inclusive, and more flexible to best meet the needs of our community,” said University Librarian Kevin Butterfield. “Today’s students don’t work in just one way and neither should their library. We’ve designed a space that evolves with them, meeting their needs at every stage of their academic journey.”
The Lora Robins Gallery will also now include new museum cases with an expanded fluorescent minerals room with an ultraviolet light display to better showcase the fluorescent collection, which is one of the largest in the country.
Construction on the next phase of the library project will begin this summer on the first and second floors, including creating the physical space for the Weinstein Learning Center. While the space is under renovation, library services will remain fully operational, with modifications in place to ensure continuity and safety for the community.
A Road Map for the Future
Rooted in the University’s educational mission, the 2025 University of Richmond Campus Plan (URCP) will serve as the road map for the future physical development of campus over the near and long term.
“The physical environment and infrastructure on our extraordinary campus is critical to advancing our mission and supporting a vibrant community both now and in the future,” said David Hale, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “When people hear ‘campus plan,’ they may immediately think that means new buildings, but that’s often not the case. A campus plan can and should include anything related to the long-term physical development of campus.”
The guiding principles for the URCP include commitments to academic excellence, residential education, belonging and community, an increasingly sustainable campus infrastructure, well-being and safety, and campus connectivity. Highlights of the campus plan include opportunities to further center student learning, programs, classrooms and faculty offices in the heart of campus; make it easier and safer for all Spiders to get around; lower energy use and resource waste; and ensure the long-term preservation and thoughtful stewardship of campus green spaces.
“It’s exciting and also very important to plan for and envision the future of our campus.”
Over the past year, the architectural and design firm Ayers Saint Gross, in collaboration with the University of Richmond Campus Plan Steering Committee, has been attentively working on the development of a new Campus Plan. This work was informed by extensive input gathered from the campus community, including faculty, staff, and students, through listening sessions, town hall meetings, and online feedback. An additional layer of this input was received following a presentation of the draft plan to the campus community in March.
The last campus plan, released in 2011, resulted in several important changes and additions to the community, including the construction of the Queally Center for Admission and Career Services and the creation of the Eco-Corridor. The 2011 plan also resulted in the development of the south portion of campus near the River Road entrance and included rerouting a road to provide better campus access; building new student residences; and adding intramural fields.
The recommendations from the 2025 campus plan will be executed over the next two to 20 years.
“It’s exciting and also very important to plan for and envision the future of our campus,” Hale said.