Saint Xavier University is making waves this March as it hosts its first-ever Cool School Polar Plunge as part of Respect Week.
The event, set for Wednesday, March 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on SXU’s Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field, will bring students, faculty, staff and community members together to take an icy dip in support of inclusion and acceptance.
A total of 53 participants, also known as plungers, are registered to take the plunge. They include SXU students, faculty and staff, as well as students and staff from the Community High School District 218 Adult Transition Program, a key community partner in the event.
SXU, located at 3700 W. 103rd St., was recently recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School and is the first university in the region to earn the designation. To achieve this honor, schools must demonstrate a commitment to inclusive sports, youth leadership and whole-school engagement, fostering a culture of respect and unity.
“Being recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School is a huge honor for SXU and reinforces our commitment to inclusion and community,” said Lisa Osier, director of clinical education for the Communication Sciences and Disorders Division. “This designation highlights how SXU creates opportunities for students of all abilities to learn, lead and grow together.”
The Polar Plunge is a well-established tradition in elementary and high schools but is less common at the college level, Osier said.
“We’re excited to bring it to SXU to reinforce that inclusive initiatives shouldn’t stop after high school,” she said. “They should be encouraged and celebrated throughout adulthood.”
Respect Week, taking place March 17-21, promotes acceptance and kindness across campus. Originally launched as the “Spread the Word” campaign to eliminate derogatory language about people with disabilities, the initiative has evolved into a movement encouraging respect and inclusion in all aspects of life.
Osier’s department, made up of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Speech-Language Pathology, is centered around inclusivity and diversity.
“It’s been especially exciting to involve the entire campus in this event,” Osier said. “Getting involved in Respect Week at SXU is easy and fun.”
Students, faculty and staff can participate by attending events, engaging in discussions about inclusion and taking the pledge to spread kindness. Even simple actions like using respectful language and supporting others can make a meaningful impact.
Osier also expressed gratitude for SXU’s community partners helping to make the event possible.
“We’re especially grateful to our community partners, especially Community High School District 218 Adult Transition Program, for helping make this happen,” she said. “Our programs work closely with one another because we see the benefit of having people of all abilities connect and enjoy shared experiences together. It’s been fun creating spaces where we can reinforce the importance of community belonging and support a great cause. This is just one of the many times we get to collaborate.”
The Cool School Polar Plunge is free to participate in, and registration and donations can be made directly through the Polar Plunge website at https://support.soill.org/event/2025-letr-cool-school-polar-plunge-st-xavier-university-region-e/e648753.