Being away from campus for summer break means missing out on some important news, especially if you don’t follow the Kentucky Kernel on social media or check your email all that often. Here are a few things you missed that you need to know as we begin another semester at UK.

New Residence Halls

With the completion and opening of Lewis Hall and University Flats this summer, UK’s revitalization of campus housing is complete, according to UKNow. The project lasted four years, cost nearly $450 million and resulted in 6,800 beds in 14 new residence halls.

Lewis Hall and University Flats include unique elements, including UK Design student murals spread throughout common areas in the buildings. These six designers have their murals featured, according to UKNow: Emily Corner, Lauren Delvanthal, Chris Mancuso, Jessica Moore, Jacqueline Sanchez and Sarah Zezima.

New Faculty

Two new administrative faculty members were announced via campus-wide email over the summer.

Dr. Mark F. Newman accepted a position as the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, which he will begin on Oct. 1. He is coming from a position at Duke University Medical Center.

“He has practiced and served in far-flung places, but Kentucky is his home,” UK President Eli Capilouto wrote in his email.

Christian Brady accepted the position of the first ever dean of the Lewis Honors College, according to an email from UK Provost Tim Tracy. He is coming from Penn State University.

“Christian is passionate about honors education and the prospect of making Lewis Honors College one of the finest in the country as part of a distinctive undergraduate educational experience at UK,” Tracy wrote.

UK Dining

UK Dining is implementing a few changes for the start of the new semester.

A new Drink Card Program is available to students, faculty and staff, allowing unlimited beverage refills at on-campus dining locations, according to the UK Dining website.

There is also a new VIP All Access Meal Plan, offering more benefits than ever before, including more Wildcat Deals, the free all-access drink program and some free meals for students’ parents.

More information about both can be found on the UK Dining website.

According to a sign posted outside of The 90 complex, Ovid’s will be replaced by Papa John’s.

Basketball Tickets

Men’s basketball tickets are now $10 for students. Previously, tickets were $5.

UK Athletics hopes the increased cost will motivate students to actually use the tickets they purchase and show up to the games, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

This is the first change in student ticket pricing since the 1990s.

Kroger Field Sign

After a spring announcement of the name change from Commonwealth Stadium to Kroger Field, it became set in stone over the summer.

Out with the old and in with the new: the Commonwealth sign came down and the Kroger Field sign went up.

After a mishap resulting in the sign reading “Roger Field,” the sign is finished and ready for the start of football season.