MEDIA ADVISORY: Greiner Residence Hall to Be Dedicated

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will dedicate Greiner Hall, a new state-of-the-art residence hall reserved for sophomores, at an on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19.

The event will take place at the building's main entrance and open with a welcome from UB Vice President for University Life and Services Dennis R. Black. Remarks will be given by UB President Satish K. Tripathi, UB Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Angelo M. Fatta, UB student Bethany A. Torres and UB Council Chair Jeremy M. Jacobs.

Carol A. Greiner -- the wife of late UB President William R. Greiner, for whom the new building is named -- will offer comments.

UB will unveil dedicatory plaques recognizing William Greiner and the new building, and present Carol Greiner with a gift -- a custom illustration of Greiner Hall by local artist Michael Gelen.

Media are invited to attend the ceremony, as well as tours that will follow.

Greiner Hall is on Lee Road on UB's North Campus, off of John James Audubon Parkway and near the Ellicott Complex. The building is No. 57 on this map: http://www.buffalo.edu/buildings/maps/NorthCampus.pdf.

With capacity for 600 students, Greiner Hall's suite-style accommodations -- two double rooms with an adjoining private bathroom and storage area -- offer the expanded personal space college sophomores desire. Additional amenities in the 198,500-square-foot building include wireless Internet access, a 50-seat Au Bon Pain café, multi-use classrooms and fireplace lounges.

The blend of residential, recreational and academic spaces embodies the "learning landscape" concept in the university's UB 2020 strategic plan, which encourages continual student learning by creating an environment that supports discovery outside the classroom.

Greiner Hall was designed to earn a gold rating under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, with eco-friendly features such as floor tiling made from recycled soda bottles, low-flow faucets, and man-made ponds designed to capture rainwater before it enters an overloaded sewer system.

The facility was also designed to conform with best practices in universal design, which refers to the creation of buildings, products and services accessible to people of many different abilities.

Greiner Hall stands in memory of William Greiner's 42 years of service to the university and his lifelong dedication to UB's students. Greiner, who joined the law faculty in 1967, rose through the faculty and administrative ranks, culminating with his appointment as UB's 13th president in 1991. He served until 2003, and was named UB president emeritus in 2009 by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees. He died later that year due to complications from heart surgery.

Greiner Hall was constructed in partnership with the UB Foundation. Cannon Design served as the architectural and engineering firm on the $57 million project. Construction was managed by LPCiminelli.

Media arrangements: Contact Charlotte Hsu in the Office of University Communications at 716-645-4655 or John DellaContrada at 716-361-3006.