Lily Huynh and Gerald Sastra/The Cougar
From inconvenient detours to the disappearance of some of the campus’s most recognizable spaces, construction on UH’s campus is getting in the way of an ordinary college experience.
Between fenced-off walkways, constant noise and buildings hidden behind scaffolding, it’s becoming harder for students to experience the campus as previous generations did. While campus improvements are necessary, they come at the cost of the atmosphere that makes college feel like college.
A campus under construction
Construction for the Centennial Project began in June 2025 and is set to finish in May 2027. That’s almost two full years. Considering that the average college student earns their bachelor’s degree in four years, construction could make up nearly half of a student’s college experience.
Frustration with the ongoing construction has become a common theme among students, but it isn’t new. In an April social media thread, students questioned how much longer the projects would continue, with one asking, “Is there a timeline for how long this will take? I’m hoping my entire time at UH doesn’t have construction.” Another user replied, “I’ve got some bad news for you.”
Construction has become an accepted part of campus life, but that doesn’t make it any less disruptive.
The college experience, interrupted
One of the most common and romanticized aspects of a college experience is simply walking around campus while enjoying the scenery.
Now, instead of walking to class with a Cougar Grounds coffee and your favorite playlist, students navigate construction noise, fenced-off sidewalks and dust in the air.
The finished Centennial Project will undoubtedly improve the campus for future students. The frustration isn’t with the improvements themselves; it’s that many current students won’t be around long enough to enjoy them.
Ongoing work on University Drive, Centennial Plaza and Wilhelmina’s Grove will continue to reroute pedestrian traffic, with the main path shifting to the Lynn Eusan Park side and the primary Student Center South entrance temporarily closing.
While another section of Centennial Plaza is expected to open in September, major construction is scheduled to continue through May 2027.
With so many walkways closed, students are forced to take lengthy detours, causing many students to rush to class or arrive late.
The Houston heat only adds to the frustration; it feels like it’s 100 degrees outside most of the year. No one wants to walk more than they should just to get to a lecture.
The beloved fountains
The Cullen fountains were a comfort spot for many students. It was normal to see students studying on the benches with the sound of the water in the background. They brought life and ambiance on the way to class.
With them gone, there’s nowhere else on campus that captures the same atmosphere. One TikTok user commented “I loveeedddd eating with friends or crashing out here, no in between” on a video about the fountains. Many others in the comments under the video also shared their personal connections to the fountains.
While the fountains won’t be gone forever, it’s safe to say it’s frustrating to have a beloved part of campus unavailable.
More than a picture
Students graduating in 2026 and 2027 now have hardly any places on campus to take graduation pictures.
Graduation pictures are a big deal for many students. They’re more than a social media post. They document the hard work and effort put into earning a degree.
These undergraduates spend an average of 4 years balancing lectures, labs, organizations and, more recently, loud construction.
After all the dedication, they aren’t even able to fully take in their accomplishment. The interruption of construction on campus goes beyond the loud noise and orange caution tape.
The Centennial Construction Project will eventually leave UH with a more modern campus, but many of today’s students will graduate before they ever get to enjoy it. For them, construction won’t just be part of campus; it will be part of their college memories.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
