University of Texas officials announced that the new exterior renovation of the school’s famous UT Tower will begin in November while remaining lit burnt orange for various accomplishments and athletic success.

The UT System Board of Regents approved a $70 million budget in August. This will be the first meaningful upgrade of Main Building, known around campus as MAI, since its completion in 1937.

The exterior restoration is expected to last until 2027. Even so, UT is thinking about its seniors. Scaffolding will begin rising on the Tower’s north side in November but will not cover the south side until after the 2025 commencement ceremony in May.

Seniors who are used to posing for photos on the South Mall, South Lawn or in Littlefield Fountain should have an all-clear memorable shot.

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“This restoration is one of the board’s top priorities, and we are thrilled the work is getting underway,” UT System board chairman Kevin Eltife said in a statement. “We want every UT student, faculty and staff member, and alum to have a sense of pride as they walk across the Forty Acres, and especially when they see the Tower restored to its former glory.”

According to UT, the initial work will be a comprehensive restoration of the Tower’s exterior, which includes cleaning the stone, windows, lighting, clockface and building façade. The university wants to repaint metal and wood surfaces in their original color and reconstruct the east and west entrances.

Construction workers will also expand the exterior lighting, install an LED-based lighting system, replace parts of the roof and refurbish windows to improve their appearance and energy efficiency.

The school was clear to point out that “the Tower will continue to be lit burnt orange to celebrate academic accomplishments and athletic victories, including conference and national championships.”

For those curious, the UT Tower lights are controlled via an app. UT President Jay Hartzell or authorized users can change the Tower lighting literally by pushing a button.

The University hired architectural firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects LLC, which has handled restoration projects at Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgetown and Yale.

“Our Tower was built as a sign of audacity and a young university’s aspirations for excellence. Nearly a century later, we have those same characteristics,” Hartzell said in a statement. “The Tower represents what is possible for a world-class university that is committed to creating knowledge and teaching tomorrow’s leaders to change the world.”