Saint Louis University has prosper into new light with the success of raising 100 million dollar in donations in the academic past year. A true blessing from the community to give back to the private Jesuit university. However standing face to face with the university the only noticeable difference on campus is real estate. While the real estate may have increased the number of undergrad students with new residence halls the rest of the campus does not have access to the new facilities.
One of the long term projects has had is the construction of a new SLU hospital. Back in 2011 SLU had bought a dairy production factory only to demolish so that the land could be later sold in 2015 to SSM Health. In the fall of 2017 SSM Health broke ground for the new hsopital and is expected to be completed by 2020. The plan for SSM Health is decrease patient wait time, increase in medical professions, and establish a broader hospital network for the SLU’s academic medical center.
Some recent completed projects such as the new residence halls, Grand and Spring Hall. In March of 2014 plans had been approved for the development of the new housing units. Spring was completed in August of 2016 and just a year later Grand would finish before the beginning of the academic year. These two building have not only brought a new dining hall but will potentially allow a thousand new students to attend Saint Louis University
As first-year students adjust to the new environment some have felt frustrated with the limited activities the city of Saint Louis and really depend on on-campus activities for entertainment. Students can find more social activities out in the county if they have access to a car which most students don’t. The largest turned to participating on-campus activity has been Greek Life with nearly a quarter of the undergrads participating.
However this year the Fall rush numbers have decreased since the previous year. In fall of 2017 just above 125 men rushed fraternities while just below 95 men rushed in the fall of 2018. Newly appointed Fraternity Council President, Spencer Laiben, has noticed the rushee numbers, of not just fraternity but sorority as well, have steadily decrease in his three years here, “It’s truly sad to see less people rushing. SLU has a great morale and mission to enable what it means to be in Greek Life.”
Following the trail of decreasing participation there is also a decrease in community morale. In the beginning of 2017 three restaurants closed down, Diablitos Cantina, Humphrey's, and Mi Caribe. All three establishment close for separate reasons. Humphrey’s had closed down to make remodels but halted because of “Market Driven” purposes according to Commercial Real Estate Services. Mi Caribe co-owner, Warren Duval, decided to close up the restaurant after looking over the businesses finance and saw the decrease in business as well. As for Diablitos, their lease was terminated from the university,the owner Dr. Gurpreet Padda said he was unsure what the university would do with the property.
The closing of the local establishments not only brought loss of jobs but a cold feeling like they have lost a place of memories. SLU alumnus and previous fraternity president, Mark Minowitz said, “I always appreciate the food Warren made, being one of their most loyal customer, it’s sad that I won’t be able to come back if I visit”. These establishment have brought jobs to students, a safe and local place to eat, and in-expensive locations for social or philanthropic events. The properties still stand left untouched and diminishing its space over time.
But does SLU really have a concern or responsibility for such small properties. As the SLU mission reads, “the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity.” Has SLU not succeed by expanding there student body and establishing more medical resources for the St. Louis community. SLU may not realize but they are unrecognizable ending Greek Life because of market driven real estate.
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