Saint Joseph ' s University Saint Joseph ' s University ( also referred to as SJU or St . Joe ' s ) is a private , coeducation al Roman Catholic Jesuit university that is located in three separate campuses , namely the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia , the Lower Merion Township and the Pennsylvania Main Line , Pennsylvania , United States . The school was founded in 1851 as Saint Joseph ' s College by the Society of Jesus . As of 2010 , Saint Joseph ' s University is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities . Saint Joseph ' s University educates over 8 , 500 students each year in over 60 undergraduate majors , 12 special - study options , 28 study - abroad programs , 53 graduate study areas , and an Ed . D . in Educational Leadership . It has 17 centers and institutes . Saint Joseph ' s is one of the oldest Jesuit , Catholic universities in the United States . Saint Joseph ' s has grown in physical size and scope since 2001 with the addition of the Maguire Campus , construction of new campus buildings , and the addition of new majors and programs annually . For the 2012 U . S . News and World Report rankings , in the Master ' s Universities ( North ) category , Saint Joseph ' s was ranked number 8 . History . As far back as 1741 , a Jesuit College in Philadelphia had been proposed and planned by Rev . Joseph Greaton , S . J . , the first resident pastor of Saint Joseph ' s Church . The suppression of the Jesuits ( 1773 – 1814 ) and lack of people and money delayed for over a hundred years the realization of Greaton ' s plans . Credit for founding the college is given to Rev . Felix Barbelin , S . J . , who served as its first president . Barbelin and four other Jesuits formed the first faculty of Saint Joseph ' s College . On the morning of September 15 , 1851 , some 32 young men gathered in the courtyard outside Old St . Joseph ' s Church , located in Willing ' s Alley off Walnut and Fourth Street in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania one block from Independence Hall . After attending High Mass and reciting the " Veni Creator " in the church , these men were assigned to their classes in a building adjacent to the church . Before the end of the first academic year in 1851 , the enrollment rose from fewer than 40 students to 98 . In the following year , the college received its charter of incorporation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the enrollment grew to 126 students . The fledgling college soon outgrew an increasingly noisy and commercialized location on Willing ’ s Alley . The college moved into a building at 1234 Filbert Street in Philadelphia , then a prosperous residential neighborhood near the future site of City Hall . In 1889 , Saint Joseph ’ s inaugurated its third site at 17th and Stiles Streets in North Philadelphia , in the heart of Philadelphia ’ s booming industrial zone . In 1927 , in recognition of population shifts toward the western part of the city and into the western suburbs , the college moved to its current location , 54th and City Avenue , at the entrance to Philadelphia ’ s fashionable Main Line . After World War II , Saint Joseph ’ s began to acquire properties across City Avenue on the Main Line itself , propelling the institution physically as well as culturally into the suburbs proper . In fall 1970 , the undergraduate day college opened its doors to women . Saint Joseph ' s was recognized as a university by the Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on July 24 , 1978 . The corporate charter was formally changed to reflect university status on December 27 , 1978 . On November 10 , 2011 , the University ' s Board of Trustees announced that it had selected Rev . C . Kevin Gillespie , S . J . , Associate Provost of University Centers at Loyola University Chicago , as the 27th President of the University . Gillespie is a member of the University ' s Class of 1972 and has served as a trustee since 2006 . Gillespie is only the second President to also be an alumnus of the University , the first was Rev . Cornelius Gillespie , S . J . , who served from 1900 – 1907 and again from 1908 - 1909 . Gillespie was formally presented at a reception on November 11 , 2011 , and formally assumed the Presidency on July 1 , 2012 . Gillespie was inaugurated as President on October 12 , 2012 . Current developments and plans . Two construction projects began in 2010 - 2011 . These include the Post Learning Commons , a state - of - the - art library multimedia center which opened on March 12 , 2012 and Villiger Hall , a 5 - floor , 400 bed freshman residence hall opening Fall 2012 . In addition , three NCAA Division I athletic fields are set for completion on the Maguire Campus for field hockey , softball , and baseball . In September 2012 , it was announced that Saint Joseph ' s signed an agreement to purchase the adjacent Cardinal ' s Residence on Cardinal Avenue at City Avenue for $ 10 million . Speakers and Celebrities . Many famous people including Vice - President Joseph Biden , Martin Luther King , Jr . Chuck D , Desmond Tutu , Michael Nutter , Chris Matthews , James Cone , Chelsea Clinton , Caroline Kennedy , Tim Russert , Jonathan Weiner , Pat Croce , Tim Wise , Ed Rendell , Dan Marino , Soledad O ' Brien , and Rick Santorum have spoken at various locations around campus , including the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse . The song American Pie ( song ) made its debut at Saint Joseph ' s University when Don McClean was opening for Laura Nyro on March 12 , 1971 at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse on campus . Demographics . 61 % of the student population is from out of state . 83 % of the students are white , 5 % are black , 2 % are Hispanic , 2 % are Asian , and 1 % are Native American . The student body is evenly split between men and women . There is also a nearly even split between students who study at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Haub School of Business . Sixty - one percent of traditional full - time students reside on campus . The university is considered to be moderately selective during its admissions process and its freshmen retention rate is 89 % while 47 % of applicants are admitted which is fourth among the nation ' s twenty - eight Jesuit institutions . 38 states and 30 countries are represented by the student body . The student - faculty ratio is 13 : 1 and the average class size is around 30 students . The middle 50 % GPA is a 3 . 28 – 3 . 84 and the middle 50 % on the SAT is 1110 – 1280 . The class of 2012 is the largest in the school ' s history with nearly 1 , 500 students . Academics . About 98 % of faculty hold the highest possible degrees in their fields . The 2008 graduation rate was 90 % and the freshman retention rate is 89 % . About 51 % of undergraduates are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences while 49 % are enrolled in the Haub School of Business . The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has placed Saint Joseph ' s under the designation of " Master ' s Colleges and Universities ( larger programs ) " . College of Arts and Sciences . The goal of education in the College of Arts and Sciences is to " stimulate the mind to think more critically and more imaginatively ; the heart to feel more compassionately ; and the spirit to be more attentive to the intimations of the divine in the world . " The College of Arts and Sciences comprises 16 departments , offering a wide array of majors as well as many interdisciplinary minors . These programs include actuarial science , aerospace studies ( Air Force ROTC ) , Asian studies , biology , chemistry , classics ( Latin , Greek , and classical studies ) , computer science , criminal justice , economics , education , English , English - professional communications , environmental science , European studies , fine and performing arts , foreign languages and literatures , gender studies , history , interdisciplinary health services , international relations , labor studies , Latin American studies , mathematics , Medieval and Renaissance Studies , philosophy , physics , political science , psychology , sociology , and theology . Graduate degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences include biology , computer science , criminal justice , education , gerontological services , health administration , health education , nurse anesthesia , psychology , public safety and environmental protection , training and organizational development , and writing studies . Many of the programs offer post - master ' s certificates in a variety of areas . The College also offers a doctoral degree in education . Erivan K . Haub School of Business . The mission of the Haub School of Business is to " support the aspirations of students to master the fundamental principles and practices of business in a diverse , ethical , and globally aware context . All degree programs stress the development of the knowledge , skills , abilities , and values that prepare our graduates to assume leadership roles in organizations of all sizes and types . " The largest undergraduate Jesuit business program in the country , the school is located in Mandeville Hall . The MBA program offers concentrations in Accounting , Decision and System Sciences , Finance , Health and Medical Services , Human Resource Management , International Business , International Marketing , Management , and Marketing . An MBA from Saint Joseph ' s University is offered at SJU ' s campus or at Ursinus College in Collegeville , Pennsylvania . Courses at both locations are administered and staffed by Saint Joseph ' s . Undergraduate programs include Accounting , Decision and System Sciences , Finance , Food Marketing , International Business and Marketing , Management , Marketing , and Pharmaceutical Marketing . In addition to the MBA program , HSB offers graduate degrees in Human Resource Management , Financial Services , International Marketing , Decision & System Sciences , an Executive MBA , Executive MS in Food Marketing , Executive MBAs in Food Marketing and Pharmaceutical Marketing , and a number of China Programs . The school also offers post - MBA certificate programs . The Haub School of Business is one of only 15 business schools in the country to feature a Wall Street trading room . The room provides access to electronic sources of financial and investment data , analytical tools , and trading simulations . Students in certain classes must trade stocks to prepare themselves for specific careers . The HSB was awarded The Beta Gamma Sigma 2006 , 2007 , 2008 , and 2009 Silver Chapter Award , and the 2010 Gold Chapter Award . The HSB has been ranked in numerous reports and studies done by national companies , magazines , and websites . College of Professional and Liberal Studies . The PLS program is Saint Joseph ' s undergraduate continuing studies division . As early as 1852 , the administration at Saint Joseph ' s organized educational opportunities for adults . A regular series of non - credit courses in several areas was offered beginning in 1942 , and beginning in 1946 , the Evening Division , which would eventually be known as College of Professional and Liberal Studies , was formally established . In addition to traditional on - campus programs and majors , PLS offers accelerated degree programs in English and professional communications , health administration , and leadership . PLS students wishing to pursue a degree during the day take advantage of the division ' s bridge program , and professionals in certain areas can take part in off - campus programs in professional communications , criminal justice , food marketing , and purchasing and acquisitions . Honors Program . The Honors Program offers an enriched curriculum that broadens cultural interests , integrates knowledge , sharpens writing skills and encourages student involvement in the learning process . Students may enroll in General Honors , which is awarded upon successful completion of eight Honors courses or Departmental Honors , which is awarded upon successful completion of a two - semester honors level research project . Students of an exceptional caliber may apply for the University Scholar designation . Those who qualify are freed from four to ten of their senior year course requirements in order to complete an independent project of unusual breadth , depth and originality . Rankings . The University has been ranked 8th among Best Universities - Master ’ s ( North ) in both U . S . News and World Report ' s " America ' s Best Colleges " since 1999 ( out of 173 schools ) . In addition , the publication ranks the Haub School of Business ' part - time master ' s program 8th in the North region and the best in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania . HSB is also ranked by BusinessWeek ( 57th in the nation for its undergraduate program ) and The Princeton Review mentioned as one of " The Best 143 Business Schools " in 2007 and one of the best 290 in 2008 . Saint Joseph ' s was also featured on Princeton Review ' s list of top 222 colleges in the Northeast . Barron ' s Profiles of American Colleges rate Saint Joseph ' s as " competitive " among colleges and universities nationwide . CampusExplorer calls St . Joe ' s " selective " . and one of the best 290 in 2008 The Corporation for National and Community Service placed Saint Joseph ' s University on the 2007 President ' s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll , the highest honor a school can achieve for its commitment to service - learning and civic engagement . US News and World report gives SJU a 80 out of 100 overall . US News and World Report named Saint Joseph ' s Haub School of Business among the best graduate programs in the country in its 2009 edition . The school ' s graduate education was also listed among the best . College Prowler recently gave SJU high marks in Academics ( B + ) , Local Atmosphere ( A - ) , Athletics ( B + ) , Nightlife ( A - ) , Safety & Security ( B + ) , and Facilities ( B ) . In 2010 , US News and World Report ranked the Haub School of Business ' part - time MBA program as the best in Southeastern Pennsylvania and one of the top 25 in the nation . This is the 5th time in 6 years that the Part - Time MBA program has received this distinction from U . S . News . In 2008 , for the third year in a row , the Haub School of Business was awarded the Silver Chapter Award by Beta Gamma Sigma . In 2010 , Beta Gamma Sigma awarded SJU ' s chapter the Gold Award . The Princeton Review rated SJU an 85 out of 100 academically in its 2009 edition . In 2012 , Forbes ranked Saint Joseph ' s as the 180th best college in the country . The Haub School of Business and SJU ' s Marketing program were both ranked amongst the best in the country by the 2009 edition of US News and World Report . The undergraduate Marketing program was named one of the 24 best in the nation . In addition , the Haub School of Business was recognized by Beyond Grey Pinstripes , a biennial survey of business schools , for being one of the top 100 schools ( at number 76 ) in the world at integrating ethical issues into graduate business curricula for the years 2009 to 2010 ; the ranking includes a component ranking of number 12 in the world for student exposure to ethics . In 2010 , SJU ' s Executive MBA program was ranked 20th in the nation . In the same ranking , the graduate programs in Finance , Management , Marketing , Accounting were ranked 20th , 23rd , 23rd , and 24th in the nation respectively . CNN Money ranked SJU as the one the Top 10 least affordable colleges in 2011 . The 2011 US News and World Report ranked SJU as the 8th best Master ' s University in the North . The publication also ranked SJU ' s Marketing , Accounting , and Insurance undergraduate programs as 16th , 25th , and 11th respectively . Lannon Hall ( formerly Borgia ) was named as the 2nd best dorm in the country by the Huffington Post . Campus . Saint Joseph ' s University ' s campus , often referred to as Hawk Hill , is located on City Avenue , which splits the University between the northwestern edge of Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township . A bridge which goes over City Avenue , connects the two sides of the campus . Its are concentrated from Cardinal Avenue to 52nd Street and Overbrook Avenue to City Avenue , but also includes individual buildings separate from the main campus . With the acquisition of the Maguire Campus , 57 of the are located on the Lower Merion side of City Avenue . It is within of La Salle University , Harcum College , Rosemont College , Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , Drexel University , Temple University , Bryn Mawr College , Haverford College , Philadelphia University and Villanova University . There are 650 work stations on campus and all of the dorms are wired for access to the campus - wide network . Two regional rail train stations on each side of campus provide students with easy access to Center City . St . Mary ' s , Claver , and Wolfington are all lawns located on the Main Campus while there are two quadrangles , College Hall Quad and Barbelin Quad . There are two libraries on campus , the Campbell Collection in Food Marketing & the Francis A . Drexel Library which house approximately 355 , 000 volumes , 1 , 450 print journals , 15 , 000 full - text electronic journals , 2 , 800 e - books , 866 , 000 microforms , 4 , 975 audio - visual materials . Two shuttles operated by Saint Joseph ' s run along City Avenue and stop at Mandeville Hall for students . Main Campus . The Main Campus at Saint Joseph ' s contains the majority of academic buildings and freshmen dorms at SJU . Barbelin , Mandeville , Bellarmine , Post Halls , and the Science Center are all located there . It also includes the Campion Student Center , the Drexel Library , Chapel of Saint Joseph , Hawks ' Landing parking facility , the bookstore , Finnesey Field , and Hagan Arena . The Main Campus is located on the Philadelphia side of City Avenue between Cardinal and Overbrook Avenues and 52nd Street . James J . Maguire ' 58 Campus . On August 8 , 2008 , Saint Joseph ' s completed the acquisition of the adjacent Episcopal Academy after purchasing the property in 2005 . The new campus was named the Maguire Campus for the lead donor , a Saint Joseph ' s alum , James Maguire . Many existing academic departments such as the English , Education , Sociology , and Fine and Performing Arts departments will relocate to the Maguire Campus effective Spring 2011 . The first building to be in use has been named Connelly Hall . The Maguire Campus is located directly across from the Main Campus on the Lower Merion side of City Avenue . The athletic department is also taking full advantage of the acquisition as eight tennis courts , softball , baseball , soccer , and two multi - purpose fields already reside there . A gym and indoor pool will also be used for intramurals and recreation . What was the old Episcopal Academy chapel will become a multi - use space which will house lectures , concerts , and social gatherings . There are talks of a small cafeteria and coffee shop being added to this space as well . Along with all of the buildings and fields , the Maguire Campus adds over 300 parking spaces for faculty and students and a number of acres will be turned into green space . There are over 600 different species of trees on the Maguire Campus . The Maguire Campus is also home to the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support established in 2009 which was made possible with donations totaling over $ 8 million . The Center is located in Connelly Hall . Overbrook Campus . The Overbrook Campus is located about a mile from and Main Campus — near Overbrook Train Station , and overlaps both sides of City Avenue . It includes mostly upper - classmen residence halls ( Ashwood , Lancaster Courts , Merian Gardens , and Pennbrook Apartments ) , a freshman residence hall ( Moore Hall ) , and Alumni House . The SJU shuttle that runs along City Avenue stops at the Overbrook Campus . Buildings . Saint Joseph ' s most recognizable building is Barbelin Hall , opened in 1927 when the University moved to its current location . The hall is known for its Gothic architecture , particularly the gargoyles that mark what is called the Barbelin Quadrangle ( or Barbelin Courtyard ) and the tall , four - spired bell tower that can be seen from miles away . The bell tower that sits atop Barbelin served as the University ' s logo for several years and is located upon Philadelphia ' s highest geographical location . Barbelin Hall was built by John McShain who would later go on to construct many buildings in Washington , D . C . such as The Pentagon and The Jefferson Memorial . Barbelin , and adjacent Lonergan Hall , are two of eight classroom buildings on campus ( these buildings also feature a few administrative offices , including Public Safety , Information Technology , and the Registrar ' s Office ) . Other academic buildings include John R . Post Hall , Mandeville Hall , Bellarmine Hall , the Science Center , Merion Hall , Connelly Hall , and Boland Hall , the University ' s fine arts building which features the University Gallery where paintings and other works of art are showcased to students and the public . Classes are also held in Claver Hall , which also serves as the home of the Honors Program . Approximately 60 percent of Saint Joseph ' s University students live on campus . As of August 2012 , Saint Joseph ' s University features two traditional residence halls ( McShain Hall and Villiger Hall ) and two suite - style residence halls ( Sourin Residence Center and LaFarge Residence Center ) ; these are freshmen residence halls . Villiger Hall is the newest freshman residence hall , scheduled to open its doors in August 2012 to the Class of 2016 . Upperclassmen can choose to live in several campus houses , including Hogan , Jordan , Tara , Quirk , St . Albert ' s , Sullivan , St . Mary ' s , and Xavier Halls . Apartment - style living is available for upperclassmen on campus at Pennbrook , Lancaster Court ( Weymouth and Hastings ) , Ashwood , Rashford , Lannon , and Wynnewood . As of August 2012 , Saint Joseph ' s University features two Junior / Senior living communities ( that is , communities that include only Juniors and Seniors ) in the Merion Gardens Apartments and the Morris Quad Townhouses . Rashford and Lannon Halls are the newest upperclassmen residence halls ; these were opened in 2004 . With the exception of Tara and Quirk Halls , all campus houses are located on the Lower Merion side of campus . Some of the Lower Merion campus houses that used to be student residences were converted into administrative offices . These include Bronstein Hall ( Undergraduate Admissions ) , Regis Hall ( President and Provost ) , and St . Thomas Hall ( Financial Aid and Enrollment Management ) . Additionally , Simpson Hall ( the current home of offices for the Student Newspaper , " The Hawk , " among other similar offices ) used to be a residence center . The Campion Student Center is where students generally go to eat . It formerly included the Hawk ' s Nest , Campion C - Store , Quizno ' s , Bene Pizza , Ancho Grill , Hawk Wrap , Grille Works , Freshens Smoothie Co . , and Jump Asian Station . Following a renovation in the summer of 2008 however , it only retained Hawk Wrap and Grill Works , and added Frescura , in the food court , along with the C - Store outside of it ; opting to expand a meal plan cafeteria . The Student Center also features the Forum Theater where current movies are shown frequently . Prior to the renovation , it featured an area called the Hawk Rock where students could play pool , watch movies , play videogames , or watch live bands or speakers . This area was removed during the 2008 renovation ; it was replaced by what is now known as the Doyle Banquet Hall . A similar area was opened , however , in the former bookstore which is near Campion and adjacent to Simpson Hall . This area is now referred to as " The Perch . " The University ' s Jesuit Community lives in the Loyola Center , directly across the street from Barbelin Hall . It was once considered a fortress by many University Community members ( including some of the residents ) . The Loyola Center joins Manresa Hall , which is the home of the infirm Jesuits , and features a Carriage House ( which serves as a " guest house " ) . Other Jesuit Residences include St . Alphonsus House ( at 5800 Overbrook Avenue ) and Faber Hall ( 39 Berwick Road ) . A few Jesuits also live in residence halls ; the University President maintains an apartment in the Merion Gardens Apartment building . In all , there are 89 buildings on the university ' s campus . Athletics . Saint Joseph ' s University is home of the Hawks , the University ' s athletic program . It fields teams in 20 varsity sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Hawks are part of the Atlantic Ten Conference ; because the Atlantic 10 does not support men ' s lacrosse , the Hawks play in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association . Along with the Atlantic 10 , Saint Joseph ' s is a member of the Philadelphia Big 5 , intensifying rivalries with Temple University and Villanova University along with another A - 10 member LaSalle and of course the University of Pennsylvania . Saint Joseph ' s used to play all of its home Big 5 games at The Palestra honoring the Big 5 Palestra traditions and encouraged the other Big 5 schools to do so as often as possible . Starting in 2011 the games moved to the Hagan Arena . The Saint Joseph ' s school colors are crimson and gray . An impressive 89 % of student athletes graduate . Men ' s basketball . Men ' s basketball is the most popular sport at Hawk Hill . The team has competed in nineteen NCAA Tournaments ( 1959 , 1960 , 1961 , 1962 , 1963 , 1965 , 1966 , 1969 , 1971 , 1973 , 1974 , 1981 , 1982 , 1986 , 1997 , 2001 , 2003 , 2004 , 2008 ) and has won seven Atlantic 10 regular season titles and two A - 10 tournament championships and ranks 33rd all time with a . 605 winning percentage . The team is currently led by coach Phil Martelli . The 2003 – 2004 Saint Joseph ' s University Hawks were the last Division I College Basketball team to finish the Regular Season undefeated . Saint Joseph ' s ended the regular season with a 27 – 0 record and secured a No . 1 national ranking and a No . 1 seed in the NCAA tournament . Saint Joseph ' s University ' s basketball team was ranked 43rd best of all - time by Smith & Street ' s magazine in 2005 . Twenty - seven players from St . Joe ' s have been drafted into the NBA . The Saint Joseph ' s basketball teams play most of their home games at Hagan Arena on the school ' s campus , while some games are played at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania . During the 2008 – 09 basketball season , the Hawks will play all but one of their home games at the Palestra . Their first home game will be played against Rider University at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia . Saint Joseph ' s University also offers 30 intramural and recreational programs . Their major rival is Villanova University ( the rivalry is known as the Holy War ) . Fans of the Hawks often chant " The Hawk Will Never Die ! " . Since the school ' s undefeated regular season , this chant has gained familiarity with the team ' s opponents . In 2003 , Sports Illustrated listed that cheer among " The 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate ( Whatever the Cost ) " , calling it " the most defiant cheer in college sports . " Saint Joseph ' s is also a member of the City 6 . Similar to the Big 5 , the City 6 comprises six local colleges who compete in various extramural sporting events . The schools who compete are Saint Joseph ' s , Villanova University , University of Pennsylvania , La Salle University , Drexel University , and Temple University . About 75 % of SJU men ' s basketball players graduate . Saint Joseph ' s University hosted first and second round games of the 2009 NCAA Men ' s Division I Basketball Tournament . The games were played at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania on March 19 and March 21 . In 2009 , the 2004 Hawks were named the best single - season team of the decade by Sports Illustrated . Athletic facilities . The university also has a 240 by 120 four - court multi - purpose area for basketball , tennis , and volleyball , an indoor four - lane jogging track , an 8 - lane 25 - meter indoor pool with a 300 seat observation area , four racquetball courts , locker rooms and saunas , a large fitness center , and nine outdoor tennis courts . The Maguire Campus includes another two gyms , a pool , and a weight room , this has been renamed to the O ' Pake Athletic Center . Student life . All students receive a HawkCard which can be linked to banking services and is also used as a swipe card which then gives students access to residence halls or other areas of campus . Students can also use their HawkCards to pay for meals or snacks at various locations around campus . Student life is documented in " The Hawk " , the school newspaper . Intramurals are popular on campus , especially thanks to the City 6 extramurals which pit all Philadelphia Division I schools against one another . Organizations . The school offers many organizations for students to join . They include four national fraternities and four national sororities , a radio station , WSJR , and two newspapers , " The Hawk " and the HawkEye . The Villiger Debating Society , the school ' s 150 year - old , nationally recognized speech and debate team , has finished in the top twenty in the nation for the past ten years . A number of community service organizations exist such as Up ' Til Dawn , Habitat For Humanity , Hand In Hand , Helping Hawks , Students Against Sweatshops , and Students For Peace and Justice . A campus - wide student activities organization , the Student Union Board , and a student government organization , the University Student Senate , also exist . There are over 100 organizations in all at SJU . Publications and Media . Saint Joseph ' s University has two newspapers , the " HawkEye " and " The Hawk " . The " HawkEye " is a newsletter for faculty and alumni while " The Hawk " is for students and written by students . Another online only newsletter is called Hawk Hill Online . " The Crimson and Gray Literary Magazine " showcases the best of student fiction , poetry , and artwork in an annual publication ; students and faculty may download the magazine for free ( available from the organization ' s website ) or pick one up from select locations around campus . The university also has a magazine called " SJU Magazine " that is printed every season . The Drexel Library has its own newsletter called " Library Lines " . The Saint Joseph ' s University Press prints books and articles written by faculty and other authors . The university ' s radio station is WSJR and it is a member of the Philadelphia College Radio Collective . Housing . Approximately 61 % of students at Saint Joseph ' s live on campus , and on - campus residency is required for freshmen and sophomores . There are a number of housing options including dorms , apartments , townhouses , and campus houses which can be found on various locations around campus . Greek life . Although many Greek - lettered organizations exist on campus , below are the only social fraternities and sororities at Saint Joseph ' s University . Business and honorary Greek organizations do exist , including Phi Sigma Pi and Delta Sigma Pi . However these groups are not associated in anyway with the Greek Community listed below . Additionally those groups do not have representation on the Interfraternity Council , Panhellenic Council , or Greek Council . Approximately 9 % of men and 19 % of women are in social fraternities and sororities , respectively . Sororities . No sorority Chapter has ever closed or otherwise been dormant . Notable alumni . There are over 50 , 000 living alumni of Saint Joseph ' s who live in all 50 states and 59 countries .