Auburn’s Haley Center to undergo extensive evaluation

AUBURN — The Auburn University Board of Trustees has approved a comprehensive evaluation of the Haley Center to determine the future of the university’s busiest and largest academic building.

Constructed in 1969, Haley Center houses several departments within the College of Liberal Arts, the Auburn University Bookstore and formerly the College of Education, which relocated this past summer to its new facility on West Samford Avenue.

The 414,000-square-foot Haley Center includes 70 classrooms that can accommodate more than 2,700 students, as well as offices for more than 480 faculty and staff.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Vini Nathan said the evaluation reflects Auburn’s commitment to providing learning environments that support the university’s academic mission.

“Haley Center has long been central to Auburn’s academic life,” Nathan said. “This evaluation is an important step in ensuring that our facilities continue to meet the evolving needs of our students, faculty and staff while advancing the university’s goals for excellence and innovation.”

Although Haley Center remains an essential academic space, its age and infrastructure require significant upgrades and long-term investment. The project now moves to the next phase, which includes selecting an architect at a future Board of Trustees meeting.

The process will help Auburn develop a clear plan for one of its most heavily used facilities, according to Vice President for Facilities Management Jim Carroll.

“We are taking a careful and strategic approach to understanding the current condition of Haley Center and how it can best serve the campus in the future,” Carroll said. “This assessment will guide the planning needed to align the building’s functionality with Auburn’s academic and operational priorities.”

Haley Center will continue to support campus operations during the evaluation period. The former College of Education spaces have been temporarily reassigned to two other colleges.

These assignments will remain in place during the renovation of Comer Hall for the College of Agriculture, which is expected to be completed in fall 2026, and the construction of the College of Human Sciences’ Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility, anticipated for completion in fall 2027.