Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Jennifer Downing
Senior News Editor
D’Artagnan arrived on a white horse amidst Madrigal singers, herald trumpeters and hundreds of guests and students Friday in Xavier’s celebration of Founder’s Day.
The spectacle was one of many elaborate “wonders” of the evening, which culminated with a kick-off to Xavier’s capital campaign, themed “to see great wonders.”
The event focused on recognizing the Jesuits’ commitment to Xavier and its 175th anniversary, but it had an emphasis on molding Xavier’s future by implementing new plans for a completely renovated campus.
“Our goal was to celebrate the past, present and future of Xavier,” said Maureen Coz, Director of the Office of Special Events and Protocol at Xavier. “We recognized the past of Xavier by honoring the legacy of Jesuits here at Xavier – we played a video segment on Fr. Hoff, S.J., and Fr. LaRocca, S.J. accepted the Founder’s Day award.”
“The present was implemented by recognizing the 175th anniversary of Xavier, and the future was recognized through the kick-off of the Capital Campaign for Xavier,” said Coz.
The 625 guests of the evening were among Xavier’s most generous donors and benefactors, and many flew in from all over the country. As guests arrived on the outdoor plaza of Cintas Center, they were greeted by student pages, an open bar, singing, herald trumpeters and – the highlight of the outdoor portion of the evening – a live D’Artagnan.
The floor of Cintas Center was transformed into a futuristic ballroom, complete with green and white lighting and individual ice sculptures with the campaign logo on each table, said Coz.
Sean Miller was featured in a video segment on Fr. Hoff, S.J., former Xavier president who passed away from cancer in 2004. Fr. Hoff, S.J. was known for his passion for Xavier basketball and his charismatic personality.
Fr. LaRocca, S.J. accepted the Founder’s Day award on behalf of the Jesuits, and as former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mike Conaton said, “They certainly honored the right folks – the Jesuits – for the 175th. It was wonderful, and so well done.”
“I was very grateful that the Board of Trustees and the university recognized the work of the Jesuits at Xavier since 1840. This year, as part of the 175th anniversary, the chairman of the board gave the Jesuits this award to celebrate the Jesuits who have been here and who are here,” said Fr. LaRocca, S.J.
Open your checkbooks
Capital campaign naming opportunities:
Learning Commons:
$15 million
Center for Student Excellence:
$5 million
Center for Teaching Excellence:
$5 million
Magis Plaza:
$3 million
Institute for Jesuit Education:
$5 million
A 45-by-20 ft. television screen hung at the front of the ballroom, and a video played showing interactive drawings of what the university will look like in years to come.
“We wanted people to feel like they’re actually there walking through the buildings,” said Coz.
The video moved people from building to building and in and out of rooms with projected goals for each new facility. The video aired a vision for a renovated academic quad with a high-tech learning commons and new Williams College of Business, a financial undertaking of hundreds of millions of dollars.
“I thought the Founder’s Day dinner was the best event that I have seen to date at Xavier, and this is the fourth capital campaign that I have been a part of,” said Fr. LaRocca, S.J. “The dinner was just wonderfully run, and the videos were both informative and moving – especially the Fr. Hoff segments.”
Part two of the Newswire’s investigation into eminent domain
Matthew finger
Op-Ed Editor
Two weeks ago, the Newswire published an article explaining the issue of eminent domain, its context and its relevance to Xavier University. Building off this article and using official documents along with some limited but helpful personal testimony by Probate Judge James Cissell, I hope to address the issue of a private institution, namely Xavier University, invoking eminent domain on a private property owner.
I interviewed Judge Cissell roughly a week ago in an attempt to acquire information regarding Xavier University’s involvement with Michael Cissell, a private property owner who is at odds with Xavier. Judge Cissell was kind enough to take time out of his day to answer a few questions.
What is eminent domain?
Eminent domain is the inherent power of the state to seize private property without the owner’s consent, either for its own use or for the use of a third party who will devote it to “public uses.”
Governments most commonly use the power of eminent domain when the acquisition of real property is necessary for the completion of public projects such as roads, military installations or public buildings.
Xavier is investigating the use of eminent domain in acquiring properties on Ledgewood Ave.
When asked whether or not he believed that Xavier had the legal right to use eminent domain, Judge Cissell commented that it is apparently legal, and that Xavier can be granted the right to use eminent domain by the Board of Regency, a governing body that oversees the issue of eminent domain.
Michael Cissell mentioned in an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer that selling his property to Xavier is not the problem. Rather, it is the thought of being bullied into such a position that Cissell has issues with.
Xavier University has yet to utilize eminent domain to acquire Cissell’s property, which would be absorbed into the university and made part of Xavier’s 10 year growth plan. But, it seems that should Cissell refuse to sell his property in protest of bullying, Xavier may be allowed to use eminent domain.
Judge Cissell was also helpful enough to supply me with relevant documents which relate to the issue of a private university or institution invoking eminent domain. I was sent a summary and selection of the Ohio Revised Code, namely Title 33, Chapter 3333.
“It is the declared policy of this state,” proclaims the Code, “That the availability of eminent domain on behalf of educational institutions of higher education is in the public welfare.” Therefore, said private institution may apply to the Ohio board of regents for “the right to appropriate property.”
But, this code states several stipulations for the use of eminent domain. It must certify to the board that: There is an inability to agree with the owner on price, a reasonable effort has been made to acquire the property, the property will be used for educational purposes and that the property will be available to all qualified persons without discrimination. The institution must then submit to the board this information, the educational purpose of the property and any other information required by the board.
Non-discrimination public interest is the name of the game. For a private university to use eminent domain, they must prove that the property would provide a public service to the community, including resident and dining facilities.
As we recently saw in the case involving Rookwood and private citizens who refused to sell, public interest can be a very grey area. Plans for shopping, office and condominium development, which is what would have been built had the private citizens of Norwood lost, would be considered by some to be a public service, especially in a community that is barely hanging on economically.
On the other hand, some would argue that the public interest lies not with the general public and population of Norwood, but in the hands of a wealthier population. Such is the problem that could face Xavier.
Is expanding the campus of the university a public service or an economical venture made by a wealthy institution? This is the question that has the potential to plague Xavier, the Board of Regents and citizens of Norwood and Evanston in the future.
Brian Bowsher 
Editor-in-Chief
Jennifer Downing
Senior News Editor
The Xavier Newswire
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-2129
On-campus location:
The Publications House,
3739 Ledgewood Dr.
Telephone: 513.745.3607
Advertising: 513.745.3561
Fax: 513.745.2898
www.xu.edu/newswire
