St. John's News

Pile-driving began on the western edge of St. John‘s University’s Queens Campus this week in preparation for construction of a new, state-of-the-art University Center/Academic Center.  The 5-story, brick-and-stone building is designed to integrate with and complement the existing campus buildings and is scheduled to open in 2009.

“In erecting this new structure, we renew our promise and commitment—made nearly a decade ago to our first incoming residential students—to provide a true campus life experience at St. John’s,” Executive Vice President and COO James P. Pellow, Ed.D., remarks.  “The new University Center/Academic Center will provide our students—residential and commuter—with both an enhanced learning environment and an enriched student life.”

In fact, the new structure has been designed to enhance both the living and the learning experiences at St. John’s. Fourteen “flexible” classrooms, in which lightweight, durable tables and chairs will permit faculty to configure a classroom according to type of class taught, will allow instructors to quickly rearrange the room from a row setting to a circular, curved, cluster or other arrangement. Each classroom will feature the latest in technology, including overhead projection screens, whiteboards, and the latest version of the technology podium with more functional and flexible controls and connections and improved audio and projection. The building will also provide ample student recreation and entertainment space—a home away from home—plus a cafe, student organization offices and meeting/conference rooms. A new Board Room and a banquet room will also be located in the building.

The yet-to-be-named UC/AC, sited between Sullivan Hall and Taffner Field House, will complete the fourth side of a second, smaller University Quadrangle (the Great Lawn forms the first, centrally located quadrangle), which will be bordered on the other three sides by Marillac, St. Augustine and St. Albert Halls. The resultant “quad” will be landscaped and additional trees will be planted, contributing to a further “greening” of the campus.

“The area will become,” according to Dr. Pellow, “an Academic Grove, where scholars can congregate and discuss topics of the day.” The area directly in front of the new structure, which is currently a roadway, will become a pedestrian walkway paved with stones from Sullivan Hall to Carnesecca Arena. Vehicular traffic will be eliminated.

In conforming with St. John’s commitment to meet and exceed the Mayor’s Challenge to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent for all New York City campuses, the new UC/AC will be built according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, incorporating many energy-saving mechanical/electrical systems and when possible using low-impact materials and finishes.

Last month, in preparation for the first stage of construction, the bleaches and press box in DaSilva Memorial Field were demolished to make way for the new structure. Now that the initial phase of the UC/AC construction has begun, noise and vibration can be an issue, warns Ibi Yolas, Executive Director of Design and Construction at the University. She advises that these should abate in the next weeks and asks for the continued patience from the University community.

In addition, other major construction projects are in various stages of completion:

The Rev. John B. Murray, C.M. Priest Residence
The Rev. John B. Murray, C.M. Priest Residence was completed in December 2007.  Fourteen members of the Congregation of the Mission, previously housed on the upper floors of St. Vincent Hall over several University offices, moved into the Tudor-style edifice in January. The new residence now allows the priests who teach or minister to the University community to remain in the heart of the campus, close to University events and activities and accessible to students and faculty alike, as they were while living in St. Vincent Hall. Most importantly, they remain adjacent to St. Thomas More Church, which St. John’s President, Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. has referred to as ”the jewel of the campus.” A dedication ceremony for the residence is scheduled to take place in the fall.

Student Townhouses Near Completion
Across the interior roadway from St. Thomas More Church, student townhouses are nearing completion. Also designed of brick and stone in the Tudor-style, these three-story residences are built around five courtyards and will enhance on-campus housing options for upperclass students. They are expected to be ready for occupancy by about 294 students in Fall 2008.

These three new structures have all been made possible by the very successful completion of a $271 million Capital Campaign in mid-2006.  That campaign, undertaken to support the University’s mission of providing an excellent education to all people, especially those lacking the economic, physical or social advantages, was wildly successful, surpassing its goal by nearly $22 million.

Carnesecca Arena to Be Renovated
A second round of renovations is set to sweep Carnesecca Arena this summer, and Red Storm fans will be the major beneficiaries. A $5 million interior renovation will include an enhanced lobby area, renovated bathrooms and other common areas. Seating in the lower arena will be replaced with more comfortable chair-back seats and bleachers in the upper arena are being replaced. Cosmetic upgrades are being made to both areas.

A new hardwood playing surface will be installed and new lighting and sound systems will make attending a game at Carnesecca more pleasurable than ever. The lobby area is in for a reconfiguration and face-lift.  Ticketing activities will move to the east end of the building and the ticket windows will now be located on the exterior of the arena, providing easier access for Red Storm fans while at the same time significantly reducing lobby congestion.

Last summer, during the first phase of Carnesecca renovations, a Student-Athlete Center for Excellence was completed to house the entire Student Development Program for athletes, which focuses on academic excellence, career development, personal enhancement, leadership and community service.  The Center includes a group-study room for 54 students that can be easily converted into a classroom or seminar room; three smaller rooms, each accommodating a maximum of three to four students, for tutoring or small-group study; and office space for administrators who are dedicated to supporting the educational experience of athletes.

The President’s Room, a brand-new space created when the Faculty Club moved to Sun Yat Sen Hall last summer, is now available for meetings and presentations.

"The renovation of Carnesecca Arena is vital, not only to our basketball programs, but to the entire athletics department since it houses most of our student-athletes, administrators and coaches. Carnesecca Arena is the heart of our athletics program," said St. John’s Athletic Director Chris Monasch. "The work done this summer is a significant start to the project, which will be completed over the course of the next few summers."