As fall sets in on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, the leaves won’t be the only thing changing color. UNL officials announced Friday that the school will be changing its official color from red to blue, effective immediately.

“After discussing the topic at our morning meeting, we decided this is the best move for the university at this time,” explained UNL chancellor Harvey Perlman. “Nebraska has been home to the ‘Sea of Red’ for decades, but it’s time to move in a new direction.”

Perlman delivered his announcement from a freshly-repainted blue podium while wearing a blue tie and blue ‘N’ lapel pin. He emphasized that UNL would waste no time in rolling out the new color all across campus.

“We have already mobilized over 50 ‘Big Blue’ task forces who are hard at work turning Husker Nation blue,” he said.

The entire project, which includes replacing signs, repainting buildings, reprinting promotional materials, redesigning websites, renovating stadiums, buying new athletic uniforms and rewriting the school chant, is expected to cost approximately $10.5 million.

UNL students said they’re already noticing the new changes.

“I tried to log into MyRED to pay my monthly bill, and it was called ‘MyBLUE’ now,” said junior physics major Julia Thorton. “Also, my bill went up $200.”

As for the numerous Husker fans whose red clothing is suddenly obsolete, Perlman said the university has a plan.

“All of our official Husker athletic retail shops are already stocked with plenty of blue apparel,” Perlman said. “The shops will be staying open late all week to assist fans in this emergency situation.”

“I don’t want to see any red in those stands on game day,” he added.

Perlman assured students and faculty that the transition to blue would have no negative effects on the university, but noted that it would delay all ongoing campus construction projects by an additional 12 to 15 months.