It has been eight months since the groundbreaking of the Cinema Media Arts (CMA) new Snyder Building. With construction nearing the one year mark, progress has been made amid changing weather, nearby wildfires and occasional earthquakes. CMA offered the opportunity for students to sign the metal beams of the new building and hosted a special ceremony to commemorate finishing its frame.
BUILDING UPDATES
Brian Philips, associate vice president of facility and auxiliary operations, provided a report on the progress of the new facility.
“The construction has gone well thus far. The project remains on schedule and within budget,” said Philips. “Construction is scheduled to be complete by May 22, 2026 and has not changed since we broke ground. This will give us the entire summer to have the building outfitted and ready for use by the beginning of the fall 2026 semester.”
Although the beginning of 2025 brought multiple storms, a few earthquakes and wildfires that ravaged nearby cities, construction on the building continued without many problems.
“The very dry weather in the early part of winter was a blessing and allowed grading to be completed without interruption,” Philips said. “Thus far, we have only used two of our twenty rain day allowances in the project schedule. Even still, our contractor plans to make up those days by working two upcoming Saturdays. Earthquakes have not had any impact on construction.”
He continued to give an in-depth progress report on construction.
“Thus far, the footings have been poured, concrete walls for the basement have been completed and the early steel framing has been set in place,” said Philips. “Looking further ahead, we plan to have the building envelope dried-in’ by July 28, 2025. This will allow the interior finish work to begin.”
The final beam of the building was set in place on Mar. 27 during a “topping out ceremony,” according to Philips. Up until that date, students can sign the beam which is located on campus, between the Lim Center and the Crowell School of Business off University Drive.
FINANCIAL PROGRESS
As of the CMA groundbreaking ceremony, $55.9 million had been raised for the construction of the new building.
David Vazquez, vice president of university advancement, provided an update on fundraising for the facility.
“As of Feb. 28, 2025, we’ve reached 77% of our $73.8 million fundraising goal for the project,” said Vazquez. “We’ve recently partnered with a new consultant, The Focus Group, to help us develop a comprehensive fundraising plan for securing the remaining funds.”
That means that over six months, between Sep. 2024 and Feb. 2025, a little under $1 million was raised. Vazquez stated, however, that it was great progress and expressed his gratitude to all the donors.
Tom Halleen, founding dean of the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, added, “Student tuition dollars are not being used on this construction. It is donor-funded.”
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
Building the new CMA facility has made nearby sidewalks and a parking lot outside of the business building inaccessible. Phillips provided information on when these areas would be available for use.
“Unfortunately, the sidewalk and parking lot areas will remain impacted through the end of construction,” Phillips said. “All areas will resume normal operation by the start of the fall 2026 semester.”
Haleen added that the new CMA building benefits the entirety of the university.
“It is designed to create integration with sister schools through a new Upper and Lower Courtyard, connecting the Snyder School with the Crowell School of Business and the School of Science, Technology and Health. It will transform the west side of Biola’s campus,” said Haleen.
Haleen also stated that the construction of the building is only possible through God’s blessings and the generosity of donors. He concluded with a reminder about the main goal of the new facility.
“We recognize that at the end of the day, while this is an amazing building, what matters most is what’s inside it and what comes out from it, and that’s our students,” said Haleen.
