CARBONDALE – With the fall semester comes new beginnings, and this year, it marks the start of the first major campus construction project in nearly 12 years as progress begins on the Tedrick Welcome Center.

With the raising of a fence around the construction site, Parking Lot No. 11 will be closed. Once the building is completed in May of 2026, parking will once again be available.

“Construction of the Tedrick Welcome Center is 100 percent funded through the SIU Foundation. It will require no taxpayer dollars and no tuition or student fee monies,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “The Foundation prides itself on maintaining a strong partnership with the university, and the welcome center is its gift to this spectacular campus.”

Funded 100 percent through the SIU Foundation­, including $6 million from Roger and Sally Tedrick, this state-of-the-art facility will be the first stop for prospective Salukis, with space for open houses, the origination of campus tours, orientations, and other events.

Members of the campus community, including colleges, admissions, student organizations, and other departments will utilize the space for conferences, seminars, meetings, and much more. The Tedrick Welcome Center will also serve as a hub for alumni activities and campus and community events.

As the SIU Foundation continues the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign – which has raised more than $340 million toward its $500 million goal – its offices will move into the southern wing of the new building and be known as the Philanthropy Center. In its most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation provided $5.4 million in scholarships to 1,842 students, impacting more than 16 percent of all SIU students.

“Aligning with the Imagine SIU 2030 strategic plan, the Tedrick Welcome Center is going to help the university increase enrollment, engage with alumni and friends, and provide a laboratory for SIU to solidify its role as a philanthropic leader,” Chancellor Austin Lane said.

Currently, the SIU Foundation is housed in Colyer Hall, the last active building in the area which is the former home of Greek Row. The university has informed the SIU Foundation that it must vacate that location as the dilapidated building is scheduled to be razed.

In recent years, the power of philanthropy has been on display around campus. Fundraising efforts and major gifts solicited by the Foundation have led to new construction and major improvements in multiple areas, including:

• The revitalization of the Ralph E. Becker Pavilion at the boathouse
• The building of the SIU Credit Union Pavilion at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center
• A new, improved sign at the entrance of Touch of Nature
• The Marching Salukis practice field and tower on East Campus
• Improvements to the Fermentation Science Institute at McLafferty Annex
• A planned fountain to be added to Campus Lake
• Numerous other yet-to-be-announced projects across campus

“The philanthropic support of our alumni and donors is transforming campus in an incredible way,” Kupec said. “There are many opportunities for enhancements and new construction. SIU is a university on the move. Beyond the construction of the Tedrick Welcome Center, the Foundation will continue to have strategic impact on many improvements across campus.”

Questions about parking options

During the first two weeks of classes, Lot 13, east of the Student Center, will temporarily be free. It is a paid lot the rest of the year but free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. We also will make Lot 10, a blue decal space east of the Student Services Building, available to commuting students.

Lot 3 (across Highway 51, accessible from East Grand Avenue and Washington Street) is a good option and next to the walking bridge. The city of Carbondale also maintains paid parking near that lot.

Other red decal parking options include the following lots:

• 48 (near the tennis courts).
• 89A and 52 (north and southwest of Banterra Center).
• 39 Red (split lot, south of Life Science III).
• 4 Red (split lot, south of the Communications Building), 40 and 44 (southwest and north of the Communications Building).
• 6A (north of Morris Library).
• 7 Red (split lot, north of Pulliam Hall).
• 77 (Forest Street, south of Whitney Street) on the main campus.

Although employees with blue or gold decals may park in red decal lots, they are encouraged to park in blue decal lots to make space for commuting students. Blue decal lots near Lot 11 include:

• 10 (east of the Student Services Building).
• 2 (near Anthony Hall).
• 13A (southeast of the Student Center).
• 47 (west of Neckers).
• 89 (north of Banterra Center).
• 37 (south of the Engineering Building).

A 2023 study by Walker Consultants found that we have ample parking on campus, with an estimated 7,000+ vacant parking spaces during peak hours on a typical busy day; only 43 percent of red decal spaces were occupied. We understand that available spots may not be as close to a building entrance as someone would like, but many are within a 10-minute walk. After 4 p.m., you may park just about anywhere on campus, with the exception of visitors-only spaces, 24-hour reserved spaces and handicap spaces.