In a move that will expedite plans to consolidate student services, the University of Windsor has entered into an agreement with Assumption University to purchase its historic building at 400 Huron Church Road and the large two-storey home at 2629 Riverside Drive.

This agreement enables Assumption University to focus on their core mission of providing Catholic chaplaincy, lectures and academic enrichment to the campus, and it allows UWindsor to secure a strategic property for the campus allowing for the continued implementation of its Capital Transformation Plan.

“For over four decades since the establishment of the University of Windsor, Assumption University has continued to serve the large Catholic community on campus while seeking at the same time a new, viable identity and purpose that would lead us into the future,” said Assumption University president Rev. Thomas Rosica. “Our close collaboration with the University of Windsor, and their acquisition of the main building where it all began, and the large residence on Riverside Drive, now gives us the freedom to deepen the original Basilian Fathers’ mission of modeling goodness, discipline and knowledge in space that is proper and adequate for our mission.”

Securing this property will allow UWindsor to expedite plans to consolidate student services. Central administrative offices will move from various floors of Chrysler Hall Tower to the Assumption University building. Vacating this space will allow more student services to be centralized in the Chrysler Hall complex, which already includes the Registrar’s and the Cashiers’ offices.

Providing a central location for student services has been a major priority in the University’s Campus Transformation Plan. This new opportunity significantly accelerates the achievement of that goal, in a more cost-effective location that will be a central address in a pedestrianized district following the closure of Sunset Avenue this coming year. A process of assessing the various options for Chrysler Hall will be undertaken in the new year.

The particular use of the residential building on Riverside Drive is yet to be determined, but its location retains an important link to the river and the international border which is a key element in the Campus Master Plan.

Both buildings will be purchased for $2.97 million, the fair market value based on a third party appraisal. The funds for the purchase will come from provincial capital grants that have been in reserve for several years for the purpose of implementing the Campus Transformation Plan.

“This is a historic opportunity for the University of Windsor to ensure that the Assumption University properties forever remain a part of the campus,” said UWindsor president Alan Wildeman. “The Basilian Fathers shepherded our rich academic legacy for almost a century, and have provided campus ministry services to countless students, faculty and staff throughout our history. In our 50th anniversary year, the Assumption University building will become Assumption Hall of the University of Windsor, out of respect for the tradition and in anticipation that Assumption will continue as a vital part of our campus as we look ahead. We will continue to provide Assumption University with space in Assumption Hall for its needs.”

Rosica praised the “unique and strong collaboration and mutual respect” between his institution and the University of Windsor.

“Assumption University will continue to provide an outstanding Catholic Campus Ministry to the university community, as well as fostering strong, ecumenical and interfaith relations, the continuation of the renowned Christian Culture Series, and participation in many aspects of higher education on the campus of one of Canada’s best universities,” he said.

The University expects the necessary legal work and transfer of ownership to be completed early in 2014, with a move in late spring.