University Facilities

Cross Country/Nature Trail

The cross country/nature trail on the former Belleview Golf Course is available for recreational and athletic use. The following regulations apply:

  • The trail is open during daylight hours only.
  • Trail users must remain on the trail at all times.
  • The trail is for walking and running only. Other activities such as picnicking, camping, biking, and ATV riding are prohibited.
  • Any off-trail activity on the former golf course property is prohibited and will be considered trespassing.

Finnegan Fieldhouse

740-283-6313

Finnegan Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose facility designed to provide University stu- dents and staff with a variety of athletic and health-related activities.

The facilities available for use in the fieldhouse include: two full-size basketball courts, four volleyball courts, two racquetball courts, a fitness center, an aerobics room, a stretch and flexibility room, and locker rooms that contain a sauna.

Certified personal trainers are available in the weight room for students, staff, and faculty. The trainers are present during most operating hours on weekdays to assist with workouts.

Field Usage

Varsity Athletic Fields

Varsity athletic fields are for the express use of the respective varsity teams. General recreational use of varsity fields is prohibited unless permission is given by the Athletic Office. No pets are allowed at any time on the fields or in the spectator vicinity of the fields. Pets are allowed in the general spectator area of Vaccaro Baseball Field.

Memorial Field

Home field of the Baron Varsity Rugby and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse teams.

Vaccaro Field

Home field of the Steubenville Post 33 Legion baseball team, the Steubenville (“Big Red”) High School baseball team, and site of the sectional and district Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) tournaments.

Softball Field

Home field of the Lady Baron Softball team.

Upper Soccer Field

Home field of the Men’s and Women’s Baron Soccer teams.

Lower Soccer Field

Practice field for the Men’s and Women’s Baron Soccer teams.

Intramural Athletic Fields

Used for Intramural Flag Football and Ultimate Frisbee seasons. Also open for general recreational use throughout the year.

J. C. Williams Center

740-283-3771

The J. C. Williams Center is the “living room of the campus,” providing many opportunities for fun and relaxation as well as several services for our University community.

The Information Desk is the hub of the building, housing the campus switchboard. Fax service, Lost and Found, and change are a few of the services provided. Rooms may also be reserved through the Information Desk (see separate heading). The remotes for the TVs are available for use by presenting a picture ID. Campus maps and local tourist attraction brochures can be found here as well.

The J. C. Williams Center is also home to the University Bookstore, Campus Mail Center, Student Life offices, and several student organization offices: Franciscan University Student Government, Exc!te (Office of Student Activities), The Troubadour (the student newspaper), San Damiano (the yearbook), Gadfly, Students for Life, Missions of Peace, and the Knights of Columbus. Enjoy a bite to eat or your favorite coffee beverage at the Pub or Cupertino's Cafe.

John Paul II Library

740-283-6366

Library materials may be checked out at the Circulation Desk. The circulation period for books is three weeks. You may renew books online by accessing the library home page. A link for your library account can be found on the right side of the library home page. The library home page also includes the current hours and library policies.

Interlibrary Loan 

Books that are not available on campus may be ordered through our OhioLINK consortium. There are over 40 million books available statewide. An Article request may be obtained by submitting an article citation at the Circulation Desk.

Reference Assistance 

Our reference staff is available to assist you with your research needs. You may stop in the library at your convenience. If you are in need of extensive research assistance, you may make an appointment with a librarian by calling the library.

Library and Information Skills Instruction

Instruction and literacy classes are regularly scheduled to introduce students to print and database sources and to learn searching skills. One-on-one instruction is also available by contacting the library.

Online Databases provided by the library number over 100 and include the following, available in full-text. Most can be accessed off-campus:

  • ATLA, Religion and Philosophy Collection, Philosopher’s Index
  • America – History and Life, Historical Abstracts
  • Lexis – Nexis, ERIC, Educational Research Complete
  • PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE
  • Academic Search Complete (World’s Largest Academic Online Database)

University Bookstore

740-283-6271

Located on the ground floor of the J. C. Williams Center, the University Bookstore is a full-service college bookstore. In addition to the full range of academic textbooks for University classes, the bookstore offers an extensive variety of classic as well as contemporary Christian literature. The store also offers Catholic gifts, statues, jewelry, clothing, videos, and cards. Check cashing is offered as a service to students. Regular hours are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. The bookstore remains open all year long, serving the conference guests and students throughout the summer.

The Bookstore website can be accessed at franciscan.edu/bookstore.