Comprehensive Updates
Continued Work
- Mandeville Teletorium
- Seating, flooring, and Audio / Visual systems were replaced this past September. A new lighting and control system was installed over winter break to provide more brightness, better reliability, and improve energy performance. Redesigned stage branding will be coming soon.
- Kelly Accessible Walkway and Plaza
- An accessible pathway and outdoor plaza opened in October. A direct primary ADA compliant walkway was constructed from Post Crossing to the Merion Hall quad. A new open lawn area was created for relaxation, recreation, and outdoor gatherings. Funding for the project was made possible through a Pennsylvania CFA Multimodal grant.
- Science Center Chemistry Research Lab
- An outdated lab in the Science Center was renovated into a shared Chemistry lab for faculty and student research.
- Self-Service Banner 8 Retirement
- Self-Service Banner was fully converted to an upgraded version (Banner 9) throughout the Fall semester with the new interface scheduled to be launched in January 2026. Some of the modules have been on Banner 9 for quite some time and these changes complete that migration. The Financial Information Menu is being fully retired as all processes and reports are now in Workday.
- Unified Campus Card
- During the fall semester, new ID cards were issued to faculty, staff, and students at the Lancaster location. These new cards allow us to retire an older access system and enable future hardware upgrades, all while maintaining high security. All active SJU ID cards, including those issued at Philadelphia locations, should now provide access to the main Lancaster entrance doors. As we continue to upgrade the hardware moving forward, additional doors will be made compatible with all cards.
What's Launching
- Workday Strategic Sourcing
- In partnership with the Offices of Financial Affairs and General Counsel, Workday’s Strategic Sourcing has been implemented to improve how suppliers, contracts, and sourcing activities (e.g., RFPs) are managed. This platform replaces iContracts for contract management and introduces improved workflows for requests, approvals, and collaboration with vendors.
- Barbelin Roof Replacement
- The next phase of roof replacement along City Ave is underway. The new slate roof is expected to complete at the end of Winter, the scaffolding will be removed and new landscaping will be planted in the Spring.
- Outdoor furniture will be installed on the lawn between Post Crossing and the Chapel of Saint Joseph. Furniture selections were based on a student survey for preferred varieties and include tables with fixed seating, Adirondack chairs, and chaise lounges.
- The Academic Technology team is partnering with Deans to re-envision Degree Completion Programming at SJU and will start developing online asynchronous courses in the spring.
- Campion Foyer
- The foyer of the Campion Student Center was renovated over winter break to include a new fresh look with new finishes and lighting. In the near future, the space will be embellished with a fresh new creative design as well.
- Expansion of Service Management
- A&O is moving forward with transitioning all services and support intake to TeamDynamix, our current IT solution. With this shift, our entire division will operate within the same platform, but more importantly - customers will benefit from a unified experience, making it easier and faster to get the help they need. The project team will be engaging with key stakeholders and communicate more in the spring.
Full University Announcement
As we begin the spring semester, we would like to share an update from Administration & Operations (A&O) on recent progress and a look ahead at initiatives launching in the coming months.
Continued Progress
Throughout the Fall, our team advanced several initiatives that strengthened operations and improved service. Below, we have highlighted specific projects. For a comprehensive overview, please visit our knowledge base.
- Sister Thea Bowman Hall
- Outstanding facade and site improvement work completed this past semester. Final site restoration will be completed in the Spring, and a dedication event is being scheduled for the end of Spring semester.
- Over the winter break, the Office of Residence Life moved to their new location at Sister Thea Bowman Hall. Access to the Residence Life suite is located directly under the archway at City Ave and Cardinal Ave.
- Email Security Enhancements
- The Office of Information Technology (OIT) implemented several Google Workspace configuration updates that strengthen email and calendar protections. These updates include adjusting Google Calendar settings so that invitations are now automatically added only from known senders, updating internal email filtering to better identify and improve warnings on potential phishing or spam messages, and enhancing Google Workspace security controls to help prevent spoofed messages from appearing in inboxes. OIT is also pursuing additional tools to further protect against phishing, social engineering, and account takeovers.
- Dining Enhancements
- Hawk & Barrel and Tony Roni’s opened on 54th Street, expanding dining options near campus. Most recently, the new Woodland Coffee Café opened its doors in University City, offering a cozy and convenient spot for students, faculty, and staff to enjoy coffee and food throughout the day. In addition, a Just Baked vending machine and a Vicki Box are now available on the second floor of IPEX, providing quick, convenient food access for the campus community.
- Laudato Si’ and Sustainability Initiatives
- We continue to advance our sustainability efforts, including the hiring of a new Director of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability position to lead the strategy and execution of sustainable initiatives. Foundational work is underway to establish key sustainability baselines, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste, which will inform future goals. Additionally, several priority projects are moving forward, including initiatives to reduce dining and food waste, expand recycling education, and support student and community sustainability programs.
What’s Launching:
As we move into the new semester, the A&O team is kicking off multiple initiatives that align with and support the University’s strategic goals.
- AI Advisory Council
- A new AI Advisory Council will begin meeting in the Spring semester to connect the various efforts across campus related to AI to a central group, build and promote guidelines for the ethical use of AI, and advance AI technologies for campus use.
- New Phone Solution
- The University will be reviewing vendors to provide a modern voice solution designed to enhance call quality, scalability, and integration with digital tools. This project will take a strategic approach to telephone services to reflect that teams now rely on various communication tools.
- Spring Dining Initiatives
- Dining services will continue to be enhanced through expanded food options, improved communication, and increased student engagement. In partnership with Hawk Dining Co., a new dining newsletter and website have launched to provide clearer, more consistent information about dining plans, locations, hours, and events. Looking ahead, a student dining advisory board will be introduced in the spring, creating a formal channel for student feedback and ongoing collaboration to enhance the campus dining experience.
Along with these major projects, our team has targeted improving communication, responsiveness, and collaboration with our partners and constituents at SJU. A&O is focused on continuous improvement and remains committed to enabling our community to thrive. We will continue to share updates as milestones are reached and welcome your feedback as this work evolves.