August 12, 2026
Another busy summer for campus improvements at St. John’s University is winding down as the fall semester fast approaches. When students vacate the residence halls in May for jobs, internships, study-abroad programs, and much-needed vacations, the Queens, NY, campus becomes the active site of several simultaneous capital projects.
While the most extensive capital project is the ongoing construction of the new Men’s and Women’s Basketball Practice Facility—which recently saw the final steel beam erected—many other projects have also been launched.
One such project which began late in the spring semester and is now nearing completion, is the roof replacement and rebuilding of the parapet wall of Newman Hall. Like the job that took place last summer at St. Augustine Hall, the work included extensive exterior repairs to the 60-year-old administration building via fresh insulation and waterproofing membranes.
“Having a multifaceted approach to deferred maintenance and overall campus capital improvements is critical to prevent a backlog of work,” said Jacques Theus, Associate Vice President for Campus Facilities and Services. “Stewarding our campus infrastructure to the forefront of solving these challenges provides cost savings, better safety, and a larger role in planning for the future.”
Mr. Theus and his hardworking team oversee various summertime capital improvement projects across the expansive campus. After St. John’s Commencement concluded, the Office of Conference Services hosted 52 local middle/high school graduations in Carnesecca Arena and Marillac Auditorium. Conference Services also welcomed more than 4,000 summer guests from all over the world.
At the same time, summertime occupants, overnight guests, day campers, and new student orientation participants, as well as those engaged in other regular University business, continue their activities.
Several other critical capital projects completed include the replacement of windows in Sullivan Hall; facade repairs and cleaning at the D’Angelo Center; structural repairs to the parking garage; and stair repair next to the Kelleher Welcome Center. Customary repairs, including painting, carpet and furniture replacements, and annual upgrades to interior/exterior lighting, are regularly done.
In the Residence Village, vendors upgraded the Montgoris Hall freight elevator, the busy elevator in DaSilva Hall, and the Montgoris patio was rebuilt with replacement pavers and pedestrian improvements. New pavers were installed throughout the entrances to all the residence halls. O’Connor Hall saw the replacement of existing showers with Bathfitter shower enclosures.
The ongoing relocation and centralization of student academic advisement is underway in what will be an enhanced Student Success Center in St. Augustine Hall. This new comprehensive, blended academic advisement center allows the University to house School and College-specific advising teams in the same space as other critical resources for student success. The new center is under construction in St. Augustine Hall and in the adjacent space formerly occupied by the now relocated University Writing Center.
“Some of the capital projects are more noticeable than others, but collectively all serve to improve and enhance the campus experience,” stated Joseph E. Oliva ’91CBA, ’94J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “More than $10 million is allocated to campus capital and deferred maintenance projects this fiscal year.”