To: Members of the University Community

From: Brice Wachterhauser, Ph.D., Provost Kevin Robinson, VP for Administrative Services

Date: September 21, 2006

Re: Maguire Campus Planning and Transition Team Update

Progress is being made on the historic acquisition of the Episcopal Academy property adjacent to Saint Joseph’s University. One of the most exciting developments of the past year was the gift and naming of the campus to be known as the James J. Maguire Campus of Saint Joseph’s University. Another important milestone was achieved this summer with the successful conclusion of the zoning application which enables Saint Joseph’s to use the property for educational purposes. Episcopal Academy has acquired all the necessary approvals required and anticipates breaking ground this fall for their new buildings in Newtown Square. Therefore, if all goes as planned, Saint Joseph’s will take possession of the property in 2008.

In order to keep the campus community informed of the progress being made, periodic updates will be provided. This memo outlines the process and decisions that have been made to date, as well as the anticipated next steps.

History of the Process

The process for how best to use the Maguire Campus began in 2001 when the prospect of purchasing this property first began to be seriously entertained. In July of 2002, a working group began to discuss usages for this property that were both plausible and affordable.

Subsequent to the signing of the agreement to acquire the EA Campus in August of 2005, Father Lannon appointed the Maguire Campus Planning and Transition Team and named additional faculty, staff and student representatives to the team. The charge of the group has been to provide data and analysis for zoning and planning, create timetables, design workgroups, analyze and determine space usage. A student open forum was held in the spring of 2006 to identify the students’ priorities for the new space. The work will continue to be integrated as needed with Institutional Planning and Budget Advisory Committees and involve all constituencies for a smooth transition. Eventually the team will plan special events to maximize the unique opportunity to celebrate success and anticipate the future.

With the help of Jim Cornwall, our architectural consultant, cost estimates were obtained and the overall budget for renovations has been developed. The proposed uses and costs have been discussed by the Maguire Transition team, the Cabinet, IPC and the Board of Trustees.

Zoning

Effective July 31, 2006, Saint Joseph’s favorable zoning decision of the Lower Merion Zoning Hearing Board to use the property for educational purposes became final.

Usage of the Maguire Campus

Over the past year, the following conclusions about the use of space have been reached:

• The redesign of the main classroom building is complete. The Education, English and Sociology departments will occupy that space. (See memo of December 15, 2005.)
• Pending the outcome of the curricular review process, the science building on the Maguire Campus may be renovated for science instruction for non-science majors.
• For the most part, the Maguire Campus facilities dedicated to athletics will be used for recreation programs and a limited number of varsity sports including baseball, softball and tennis. In some cases, the fields will require excavation to meet intercollegiate standards.
• Dietrich and Ryan Halls have been identified as the future home of the Development and Alumni Relations staff, allowing them to move back to campus after the lease on their current office space in Bala Cynwyd expires.
• Student Educational Support Services will be moving from the Science Center to Wetherill Hall on the Maguire campus.
• Limited studio instruction in Fine Arts and expanded music instruction will occur on Maguire.

Next Steps

The next set of analysis and decisions will focus on the following issues:

• consideration of options for creating a vehicular entrance into the Maguire Campus from City Avenue
• possible options for use of the residential houses on the Maguire property
• usage of the current campus spaces being vacated by departments who move to Maguire Campus space
• Determine the feasibility and costs of a “black box” space for film, music and theater usage

If you wish to provide input to the Maguire Transition team, please send your comments or questions via email to krobinso@sju.edu.