The start of every new school year always comes with potential changes; changes in dorms, changes in classes, perhaps even changes in majors.
As students return to Hawk Hill for the start of the fall semester, St. Joe’s campus has received some new additions, some major and some minor. These changes range from construction on campus, new selections in Campion Student Center’s dining halls, to a new Campus Ministry associate.
Construction
Throughout the summer, St. Joe’s began various construction projects on campus. It started with the demolition of Jordan Hall on Lapsley Lane, whose components have been partially reutilized in the on-going construction near Sweeney Field. Previously, Jordan Hall housed upper-level students, but will eventually be replaced with a new residence for Jesuits.
The construction near the field intends both to increase accessibility in that part of campus and to improve the flow of pedestrians. The construction is planned to be completed by mid-September.
Additionally, portions of the sidewalk along City Avenue between Cardinal Avenue and 54th Street have been redone.
Campion
Campion Dining Hall and Campion Food Court have also seen recent changes not only to food selections, but also dining services.
In the dining hall, students found a newly installed soft serve ice cream machine, currently offering vanilla and chocolate.
The DB side received multiple upgrades, including expanded menus and a new grab-and-go station. Located near the registers, this station features healthier drink and snack alternatives for students looking for a quick bite to eat.
The Hawk Wrap and Grille Works stations feature an expanded menu, including Hawk Fries and a limited meal exchange program, respectively. Grille Works’ new meal exchange program allows students to trade a meal swipe in exchange for a combo meal up to 15 times per semester.
Hawk Hill Productions
Previously known as the Student Union Board, the organization has been renamed Hawk Hill Productions. Sporting a new name and logo, the rebranded student-run organization plans events for undergraduate students for free or a reduced cost. Events include Welcome Week festivities and off-campus trips.
Campus Ministry
Along with infrastructure improvements, Campus Ministry welcomed Sharon Nicol, the new Campus Ministry associate.
Before coming to St. Joe’s, Nicol spent two years in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago with Mission Year, a religious volunteer corps.
Nicol said the reason she came to St. Joe’s was sparked by one of her favorite quotes by Ella Baker, a 20th century human rights activist. Nicol admires Baker’s call to be radical when getting down to the root causes of systematic injustice.
To Nicol, the Campus Ministry associate position seemed like an ideal way to perform the “radical work” Baker’s quote called on her to do. Nicol feels that the best way to go about this work is to follow her own advice.
“My advice to students is my advice to myself: be courageous, cultivate compassion, model integrity, and take care of yourself,” Nicol said.
