Friday, November 30, 2007

Saint Xavier University signs Teacher Education Transfer Articulation Agreement with Joliet Junior College


Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. (Right) and Joliet Junior College President Eugenia Proulx, Ph.D. (Left)

Chicago (Nov. 30, 2007) –The presidents of Saint Xavier University and Joliet Junior College signed an agreement yesterday that allows education majors from JJC to more easily transfer to Saint Xavier to earn an undergraduate degree and teacher certification.

In a ceremony at Saint Xavier’s Orland Park Campus, Saint Xavier University President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., and Joliet Junior College President Eugenia Proulx, Ph.D., signed the new 2+2 Teacher Education Articulation Agreement, which will enhance transfers of early childhood and elementary education majors.

“This cooperative relationship will enhance service for our constituents, support a smooth transfer experience, minimize duplication of instruction and build on community college and university learning experiences,” said Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Joliet Junior College.”

Under the agreement, any student who completes a prescribed block of 64 credits at Joliet Junior College with a GPA of 2.5 or better can transfer to the Saint Xavier University School of Education where they can complete 57 credits to earn a degree and teacher certification in elementary education or 56 hours for early childhood education.

“We look forward to enhancing our already excellent relationship with Joliet Junior College,” said School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley. “This new articulation agreement will greatly improve students’ ability to complete their baccalaureate degree education in four years.”

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

SXU Concert Band performs Dec. 4 at Beverly Arts Center

Join the Saint Xavier Concert Band for a winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago.

The Concert Band will delight attendees with a night of American music capped off with the holiday classic, “Sleigh Ride,” by composer Leroy Anderson.

The concert is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and visiting students. Admission is free for all SXU students, faculty and staff with a valid University ID. For more information, please contact the Saint Xavier University music department at (773) 298-3421.

-SXU-

Monday, November 26, 2007

Founders’ Day celebrates service, liberal arts at Saint Xavier University

Festivities feature guest theologian Sr. Mary Aquin O’Neill, R.S.M., Ph.D.

Chicago (Nov. 26, 2007)--Saint Xavier University will celebrate its founders, the Sisters of Mercy, during its annual Founders’ Day ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. A special feature of this year’s observance will be a presentation by Sister Mary Aquin O’Neill, R.S.M., Ph.D. on “Mercy: The Fifth Cardinal Virtue.” Her lecture will take place at 3 p.m. in McDonough Chapel.

“Founders’ Day is a three-part celebration that highlights Mother Frances Xavier Warde, R.S.M., for whom the University is named. It spotlights service by outstanding members of our University community and the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and sciences,” said Sister Susan Sander, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president for University Mission and Heritage, which coordinates the celebration. “Sister Aquin’s broad experience in Catholic higher education will certainly enrich this year’s festivities.”

Sister O’Neill’s address is theologically focused and part of the University’s 2007-2008 Catholic Colloquium Lecture Series and will be part of the day’s celebration of the liberal arts and sciences. Other presentations will feature Saint Xavier faculty, staff and students and will celebrate the arts of poetry and music and the science of biology. The 3 p.m. ceremony in McDonough Chapel is free and open to the public.

Specializing in theological anthropology, feminist theory, and interreligious dialogue, Sister O’Neill has published articles in scholarly journals and books, and frequently presents at academic institutions across the country. She is the founding director of the Mount Saint Agnes Theological Center for Women in Baltimore. She has held faculty positions at Vanderbilt University, Salve Regina University, and the University of Notre Dame, where she was also the undergraduate program director for the Notre Dame Jerusalem Program at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.

Sister O’Neill serves on the board of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, the organization through which the Sisters of Mercy sponsor 16 colleges and universities in the United States. Saint Xavier University is the oldest and one of the largest of the Mercy-founded higher education institutions.

O’Neill earned her bachelor of arts, summa cum laude from Mount Saint Agnes College, studied sacred scripture and dogmatics at the University of San Francisco, and earned her doctorate in religion from Vanderbilt University.

Other events on the Founders’ Day roster include celebration of the Eucharist in McDonough Chapel at 11:30 a.m. and an awards ceremony in the Warde Academic Center at 2 p.m. Chosen for their outstanding service to the University and the community, this year’s awardees are student Joanna Beituni, a senior from Oak Lawn; staff member Margaret Lepore, of Crestwood; and faculty member Michael Flahive, Ph.D., of Valparaiso, Ind.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Monday, November 19, 2007

SXU Chapter of international nursing honor society inducts 62 new members

left to right: SXU nursing students Anna Walkosz, Janet Kilroy, Eileen Muldoon, Abigail Morrow, Eileen Aye, Tadeusz Lisowski, Sharlene Rodriquez were among 62 new inductees to the SXU Alpha Omicron chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Chicago (Nov. 19, 2007) –The Saint Xavier University Alpha Omicron chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, welcomed 62 new members in a ceremony in McGuire Hall on Sunday, Nov. 11.

The Honor Society is one of the largest international nursing organizations. It works to nurture and network nursing scholars and leaders worldwide to improve health care. The Honor Society promotes nursing excellence through its initiatives in research, leadership, an electronic library, programming and publications, and develops and distributes nursing knowledge for use in practice.

Membership to the Honor Society is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in nursing. To be invited to join, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, be in the upper 35 percent of his/her graduating class, and have completed at least one half of the nursing curriculum to qualify for membership.

“You are among a distinguished group of nursing students and professionals who have met or exceeded rigorous standards and have demonstrated the ideal qualities of a leader and scholar. You truly deserve our congratulations,” said Chapter President Lynda Bartlett, MBA, MS, RN, during the induction ceremony. “As you are welcomed into this community, I applaud the current and future roles you now play and will play as clinicians, administrators, researchers, educators and health policy analysts.”

Inductees included:

UNDERGRADUATE
Racquel Magundayao Almazan - Midlothian
Maria Verchelle Baron Arceo - Wheeling
Dokota Lashon Brown-Kizer - Chicago
Ernestina Diaz - Oak Lawn
Laura Dykstra – Evergreen Park
Kanisha Janee Fleming – Tinley Park
Emyli Floyd - Oak Forest
Michelle Garcia – Oak Lawn
Amber Garrett - Oak Lawn
Sheila Gaza - Worth
Molly J. Flaherty – Chicago Ridge
Anne Flowers – Tinley Park
Rachel Lynn Frenzel – Tinley Park
Jacinta Theresa Holston-Paige - Chicago
Visethary In – Arlington Heights
Lauren Lynne Kasmar - Chicago
Janet Kilroy - Chicago
Robin Lea Kramer – Joshua Tree, CA
Deborah Koncel - Chicago
Joanna Kowalczyk – Tinley Park
Sarah Lee – Oak Lawn
Jennifer Lynn Lewis - Homewood
Tadeusz Lisowski - Chicago
Maria Marta Lozano – Miami FL
Irene Valerie Mulvey - Chicago
Isabella Diane Ngala - Chicago
Angela Onyeokoro - Chicago
Robert Pemberton Jr. - Chicago
Thea Pingue - Chicago
Anastasia Quintero - Chicago
Suzanna Ramirez - Chicago
Sharlene Rodriguez – Tinley Park
Diana Lynn Simmons - Homewood
Monique Renae Vance - Waukegan
Tiffany Varghese – Duncanville, TX
Anna M. Walkosz - Burbank
Angela Willmot – New Lenox

GRADUATE
Eileen M.Aye - Chicago
David William Brady - Hammond, IN
Kristine Funck - Schaumburg
Tajuana Johnson - Bolingbrook
Mary V. Kane - Elg Grove
Therese Melaniphy - Oak Lawn
Abigail Morrow - Frankfort
Eileen Muldoon - Chicago
Monika Angelika Nowak - Chicago
Patrick L. O’Brien - Lansing
Sheila Maria Phelan - Oak Lawn
Patricia Boylan – Hickory Hills
Coleen Carney – Orland Park
Rosa Colella – Carol Stream
Jennifer Lyn Fitzer - Manhattan
Kathleen Henry – Orland Park
Kimberly Hill – St. John. IN
Wanda Enid Martinez - Cary
Richae Muro - Hometown
Tina Murphy – Tinley Park
Jeanine Reilly - Chicago
Catherine Smith - Countryside
Kimberly Souder – New Lenox
Cary Villanueva - Brookfield

COMMUNITY NURSE LEADERS
Mary Patricia Fedor – Homer Glen
Janice Frederick – Hickory Hills


-SXU-

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Saint Xavier University unveils LEED Gold plaque for Arthur Rubloff Hall

SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. and Vice President for Student Affairs John Pelrine stand in Arthur Rubloff Hall with newly unveiled plaque certifying the building’s LEED Gold designation by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Chicago – Saint Xavier University unveiled a plaque last night from the U.S. Green Building Council signifying Arthur Rubloff Hall as the first university building in the state to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold designation for green building practices.

“The LEED Gold Designation for Arthur Rubloff Hall highlights Saint Xavier University as a leader, a pioneer, among private institutions in its commitment to the green building approach,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “Likewise, this award confirms our commitment to providing cutting edge technologies and facilities for our students while demonstrating an environmental consciousness that improves our world, our world for today, our world for tomorrow.”

To receive the prestigious LEED Gold designation, the University incorporated an exceptional number of “green” strategies to protect the Earth’s natural resources into the building’s construction.

“When Arthur Rubloff Hall opened last fall, it was the first university residence hall built in the greater Chicago area to use the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design “green building” approach as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost coalition of building leaders striving for environmental excellence,” said Vice President for Student Affairs John Pelrine. “Today we celebrate as Rubloff Hall is the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the prestigious LEED Gold designation, one of the highest levels awarded.”

Dedicated in October, the energy-efficient 88-bed residence hall increases student awareness of environmental issues and encourages a collective mindset to make the preservation of our planet a greater priority. Amenities include carpeting made of recycled plastics, a roof with 1,000 square feet of low-maintenance plants for heating and cooling retention, and water conservation plumbing.

Saint Xavier University recently broke ground on another new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus and built to the same environmental standards as Rubloff Hall.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Sandra Burkhardt selected to receive 2008 Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award

Chicago (Nov. 13, 2007) –Saint Xavier University is pleased to announce that Sandra Burkhardt, Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology, was selected to receive the 2008 Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award.

Burkhardt will be honored at the Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Center’s Crystal Heart Ball to be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at the Field Museum.
The Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals whose personal and professional accomplishments embody the ideals, vision and mission of the Venerable Mary Potter, founder of the Little Company of Mary Sisters. These ideals include making "a visible and positive difference" in the community by providing services for the needy.

Burkhardt’s award recognizes her support of families of children with autism spectrum disorders. Her work involves research, clinical services and community outreach. She founded Project Respect, an educational and recreational program supported by the Community Outreach Program of the Psychology Department of Saint Xavier University. Project Respect aims at heightening community awareness of autism spectrum disorders and their impact on families.

Burkhardt is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood disorders. She is the first woman in Illinois to achieve specialty board certification in clinical child and adolescent psychology. She is a fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology and the Illinois Psychological Association. She is a past recipient of the Saint Xavier Award.

Other distinguished recipients of the Mary Potter Humanitarian Award who have close ties to the University include Sister Rosemary Connelly, R.S.M., (1992), Matt and Rose Lamb (1995), Richard H. Driehaus (1999) and James Tyree (2005).

-SXU-

Friday, November 9, 2007

Saint Xavier University announces Founders’ Day honorees

Chicago (Nov. 09, 2007) – Saint Xavier University will honor three individuals for exemplary service at its Founders’ Day ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.

Founders’ Day celebrates the Sisters of Mercy who, led by Mother Frances Xavier Warde, founded Saint Francis Xavier Academy for Females in 1846 in downtown Chicago, the forerunner of Saint Xavier University.

Communications major Joanna Beituni, senior, of Oak Lawn, will receive the Mother Paulita Morris, R.S.M., Service Award for Students. Margaret Lepore, of Crestwood, office manager in the School of Nursing, will receive the Sister Isidore Perrigo, R.S.M., Service Award for Staff. Michael Flahive, Ph.D., of Valparaiso, Ind., professor of communication disorders and graduate program director in the College of Arts and Sciences will receive the Saint Xavier University Award for Faculty.

“These outstanding individuals serve as visible reminders of the remarkable women who founded Saint Xavier more than 160 years ago,” said Sister Susan Sanders, R.S.M., Ph.D., vice president for University Mission and Heritage. “Each awardee is a living example of the University’s commitment to its core value of service.”

All University community members are invited to attend the Dec. 3 Founders’ Day celebrations, which will begin with a Eucharistic Liturgy at 11:30 a.m. in McDonough Chapel. The University then hosts the Founders’ Day Awards Ceremony in the Butler Reception Room at 2 p.m. A celebration of the University’s commitment to the liberal arts and tradition of service to others follows at 3 p.m. in McDonough Chapel. A reception follows in the Butler Reception Room.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

Saint Xavier University breaks ground on new green residence hall

From left to right: 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai; Mike McDermott of Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; SXU Board of Trustees Chair Thomas E. Chomicz; SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.; William Callaghan of Henry Bros. Co., Kyle Kim of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates, and SXU Student Alyson Kelley.

Chicago (Nov. 9, 2007) – Saint Xavier University broke ground in a ceremony Thursday for a new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.
“This new residence hall represents Saint Xavier’s continued growth and strength as a leading comprehensive Catholic university,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.
Saint Xavier will build the new residence hall to LEED Silver environmental standards as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. SXU’s Arthur Rubloff Hall, which opened fall 2006, became the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold designation.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a continuing commitment by Saint Xavier to go green,” said SXU Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas E. Chomicz. “It is a commitment to the construction of an energy efficient building. It represents a way to make the world a better place.”

Also taking part in the ceremony were 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai; Mike McDermott of Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; William Callaghan of Henry Bros. Co., Kyle Kim of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates, and SXU student Alyson Kelley of Aurora.

The 36,664 square-foot residence hall will have both natural and mechanical ventilation and a 50-foot high circular glass stair tower. It will use passive solar and wind energy for summer night pre-cooling and winter heating to improve building energy efficiency and occupant comfort with natural ventilation.

The building will use 100 percent Green Power from a wind farm to carbon offset all electrical energy consumed in the residence. The roof will have 40 solar panels for solar thermal water heating and a rain garden to collect roof water runoff.

The indoor air quality in the student rooms will be significantly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) standards. All student rooms will have windows that can be opened to promote natural ventilation air patterns, harvest natural daylight and allow beautiful views of the Saint Xavier campus, providing all students with a closer connection to nature.

The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates provided designs for the building. The firm designed three previous residence halls for Saint Xavier, including Rubloff. The construction management firm will be Henry Bros. Co. Civil engineering will be conducted by Terra Civil Engineering.

Environmental Systems Design, Inc. will provide mechanical engineering. Last spring, ASHRAE presented Saint Xavier University and Environmental Systems Design, Inc. with Chapter and Regional Engineering Technology Awards for Rubloff Hall. The awards recognized achievements in the design of new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and retrofits.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier is a member of the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which has pledged to accomplish multiple environmentally sound goals by Dec. 31, 2010. These goals include energy purchases from renewable sources, reduced carbon emissions, and requiring green building practices for all new construction. More recently, SXU became the first Chicago university to sign the Presidents Climate Commitment, joining 415 other schools nationwide in a pledge to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu
-SXU-

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

SXU University Relations takes nine MarCom Awards

Chicago (Nov. 6, 2007) – SXU University Relations won nine 2007 MarCom Awards this month for its alumni magazine, publishing, publicity and media relations campaigns.

The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition recognizing outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. The competition, which has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind, is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

“I am deeply proud of our University Relations staff,” said Vice President for University Relations Bob Tenczar. “This is continued recognition of the excellent public relations team we are building here at Saint Xavier University.”

The awards were: “Bess Friedheim,” Media Relations/Publicity Campaign, Gold; “Monk Parakeets,” Media Relations/Publicity Campaign, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: A Centered Life,” Magazine/Educational Institution, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: A Centered Life,” Design/Magazine, Gold; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Dynamic, Vibrant A Legacy of Leading,” Design/Magazine, honorable mention; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Dynamic, Vibrant A Legacy of Leading,” Annual Report/Non-Profit, Platinum; “Saint Xavier Magazine: Striving for Insight,” Magazine/Educational Institution, Gold; “Saint Xavier University News Blog” (www.sxuinthenews.blogspot.com/), E-Commerce Storefront, Honorable Mention.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore (773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-

Monday, November 5, 2007

National Survey of Student Engagement Benchmarks available for Saint Xavier

Chicago– Saint Xavier University has either met or exceeded national benchmarks in nearly every category of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

In a partnership with USA Today, the National Survey of Student Engagement this morning released its benchmark findings of 255 of the 610 schools that participated nationally in its annual study. The benchmarks measure student opinions of academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, active collaborative learning, supportive campus environment, and enriching educational experiences.

Saint Xavier University is one of only three Chicago schools to have made its findings available to the public. Saint Xavier is also one of only 32 schools across the country to have participated in the survey since its inception in 2000.

“We are proud to share our 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement benchmarks,” said Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “They show Saint Xavier students feel actively engaged in challenging academic activities with guidance from accessible faculty and professional staff and a supportive campus environment that helps them attain personal and professional goals.”

To view Saint Xavier University’s NSSE results, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sxu.edu/learning/.

NSSE is an important point of reference for all SXU planning and assessment. Benchmark reports from early years prompted faculty leaders and administrators to launch a number of initiatives to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning at the University. These include enhancement of the writing activities across the curriculum, expanded opportunities for student-faculty interactions on research projects, and eventually a sweeping new General Education Program, scheduled for full implementation in fall 2009.

“The relatively strong benchmarks for 2007 represent some of the fruits of these efforts,” said Saint Xavier University Vice President for Research, Planning and Assessment Kathleen Carlson. “The University will continue to work with NSSE Benchmarks in the coming years as it strives to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in a culture of continuous improvement.”

To arrange for an interview with Vice President Carlson, please contact Director of Media Relations Joe Moore at (773) 298-3937.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
773-298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

Expert comment available for National Survey of Student Engagement Benchmarks

Chicago– Saint Xavier University Vice President for Research, Planning and Assessment Kathleen Carlson is available for expert comment on the significance of the National Survey of Student Engagement.

This morning NSSE released its benchmark findings of 255 of the 610 schools that participated nationally. Saint Xavier University is one of only three Chicago schools to have made its findings available to the public. Saint Xavier is also one of only 32 schools across the country to have participated in the survey since its inception.

To arrange for an interview with Vice President Carlson, please contact Director of Media Relations Joe Moore at 773 298 3937.

To view Saint Xavier University’s NSSE results, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sxu.edu/learning/.


###

Friday, November 2, 2007

Rev. Robert Barry featured in Daily Southtown

The Friday, Nov. 2 Daily Southtown front page featured SXU’s Rev. Robert Barry, OP, Ph.D., exploring spiritual healing of the wounded for the Theology South lecture series.

In a lecture titled “Healing the Wounded Warrior: the Three Battlefields,” Barry discussed his care for wounded soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors being treated at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Barry is a Lt. Colonel and chaplain in the Illinois Air National Guard.
Please view the story here.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Saint Xavier University to break ground on new residence hall Nov. 8, 2007


Chicago– Saint Xavier University will break ground at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 for a new residence hall to be located on the northeast quadrant of its Chicago campus.

University officials anticipate the 108-bed facility, approved by the SXU Board of Trustees at its Oct. 10 meeting, will be finished by August 2008. The new facility is in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan, which calls for a minimum of 1000 students to be living on its Chicago campus. Currently, approximately 700 live on campus and another 140 in off campus housing.

Saint Xavier will build the new residence hall to LEED Silver environmental standards as set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. SXU’s Arthur Rubloff Hall, which opened fall 2006, became the first university building in the state of Illinois to receive the coveted LEED Gold designation.

“Saint Xavier University is proud to be at the forefront of green building practices,” said SXU President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. “The environment is one of the central challenges of the 21st century, and our universities and colleges must lead by example.”

The 36,664 square-foot residence hall will have both natural and mechanical ventilation and a 50-foot high circular glass stair tower. It will use passive solar and wind energy for summer night pre-cooling and winter heating to improve building energy efficiency and occupant comfort with natural ventilation.

The building will use 100 percent Green Power from a wind farm to carbon offset all electrical energy consumed in the residence. The roof will have 40 solar panels for solar thermal water heating and a rain garden to collect roof water runoff.

The indoor air quality in the student rooms will be significantly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE) standards. All student rooms will have windows that can be opened to promote natural ventilation air patterns, harvest natural daylight and allow beautiful views of the Saint Xavier campus, providing all students with a closer connection to nature.

The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Associates provided designs for the building. The firm designed three previous residence halls for Saint Xavier, including Rubloff. The construction management firm will be Henry Bros. Co. Civil engineering will be conducted by Terra Civil Engineering.

Environmental Solutions will provide mechanical engineering. Last spring, ASHRAE presented Saint Xavier University and Environmental Design Systems with Chapter and Regional Engineering Technology Awards for Rubloff Hall. The awards recognized achievements in the design of new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and retrofits.

A leader in green practices, Saint Xavier is a member of the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which has pledged to accomplish multiple environmentally sound goals by Dec. 31, 2010. These goals include energy purchases from renewable sources, reduced carbon emissions, and requiring green building practices for all new construction. More recently, SXU became the first Chicago university to sign the Presidents Climate Commitment, joining 415 other schools nationwide in a pledge to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Joe Moore
(773) 298-3937 or jmoore@sxu.edu

-SXU-
 
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