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