Excitement is in the air as the University of Akron will be showing off many changes and improvements for the Fall semester.

Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, University President Dr. Luis Proenza spoke about the brand-new South Hall, which he feels will add to the look of the campus.

"It will complete a group of residence halls on the south side of campus to complement those in the middle of the campus," Proenza said.

The $33 million dollar dorm is a six-floor co-ed hall that will house over 550 students this fall.

The dorm is the fourth residence hall built on the UA campus in the past eight years.

With enrollment at UA just under 30,000, Proenza says that many of the extracurricular activities and athletics are very important in enhancing campus life.

"What we believe is that there needs to be a complement of activities for our students and athletics is one of those," Proenza said.

"It's also a way that the majority of the public sees a university through their athletic success."

Dr. Proenza mentioned the Zips football team and new head coach Terry Bowden bringing optimism for the future after a pair of tough seasons.

.Proenza also says that one of the goals of the University is to make the campus safer for students by adding more personnel.

"Through this cooperative arrangement with the city and the University Park Alliance, other personnel in addition to University personnel will be working to keep our campus and students safe."

The University also plans on engaging in other partnerships with the University Park Alliance and other collaborative projects throughout the year.