Board of Trustees approves funding for the style and design of new household housing on Athens campus, endorses approach for the rehabilitation and progress of The Ridges

Eli Burris/Ohio University

The Ohio University Board of Trustees accredited funding for the style and design section of new Athens campus housing development on South Inexperienced as outlined in the Housing Grasp Approach throughout its Jan. 19-20 meetings in Athens. In addition, the Board accepted a resolution enabling advisors for The Ridges Development Tactic to pursue the establishment of a New Neighborhood Authority (NCA) that would get the job done to maintain historic buildings at The Ridges by development benefitting the nearby neighborhood.

The Board also received an update on the Intel Appalachian Semiconductor Education and learning and Technical (ASCENT) Ecosystem plan.

Merchandise on the Board agenda included:

Capital spending plan

The Board approved quite a few new capital initiatives, including a resolution that accredited the design section of a new housing facility that will involve 600 more beds on South Inexperienced to aid meet up with household capacity desires as outlined in the Housing Master System.

The design and style and organizing stage is envisioned to value close to $14.2 million. The goal opening for the new facility, which is meant to update and diversify OHIO’s housing offerings although further more improving university student engagement, wellbeing and studying, is 2026. 

Other accredited initiatives include things like:

• Addition to Putnam Hall home windows alternative: The Board authorised a resolution to offer an supplemental $972,000 to comprehensive the undertaking, for which $525,000 was previously approved to switch windows on the south elevation only of Putnam Hall. The $1.5 million task will now change windows on all 4 elevations. This challenge is anticipated to be funded by proceeds from the University’s century bond and point out funds appropriations.
• Bentley Hall classroom refresh: The Board approved a $548,000 task that will offer a space refresh for picked Bentley Corridor lecture rooms to make improvements to the scholar practical experience and greatly enhance the high quality of studying areas. This challenge is expected to be funded by central college funding.

The Ridges Development Prepare

The Board accredited a resolution to pursue the institution New Neighborhood Authority (NCA) approach that was proposed by representatives from Ohio College and the Ridges Enhancement Advisors, a partnership between Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Group Creating Associates. Though the Board’s acceptance is an essential to start with action in going the all round NCA technique ahead, continued collaborations and conversations with the City of Athens, Athens County, the Point out of Ohio and the bordering community will consider location in advance of the tactic can be finalized.

The institution of a New Group Authority is a vital portion of The Ridges Advancement System, which focuses on alternatives for the adaptive rehabilitation and reuse of the historic properties at The Ridges and to greatest identify prospects for potential growth.

In 2015, Ohio University accomplished the Ridges Framework Program and has been exploring means to rehabilitate and apply external investment decision for properties and land specified for blended use/non-college use. For the earlier 18 months, Ohio University and The Ridges Progress Advisors, have engaged in a lot of setting up, research and stakeholder engagement things to do to acquire a structure and marketplace compatible progress opportunities that  align with the wants of the much larger community as nicely.

All through their presentation, The Ridges Development Advisors outlined multiple options for the job to satisfy the wants of the Athens group, such as senior housing, very long-time period workspaces for artists, affordable housing, business place and market place-fee housing.

Additional details about The Ridges and The Ridges Improvement approach is accessible on the web at: https://www.ohio.edu/ridges.

ASCENT system update

Eric Stinaff, professor and chair of physics and astronomy in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Scott Miller, associate dean for field partnerships in the Russ College of Engineering and Know-how, and Todd Myers, chair and professor of Engineering, Know-how, and Administration and director of Workforce and Professional Advancement in the Russ University of Engineering and Technological innovation, shared an update on the development of the Appalachian Semiconductor Instruction and Technical (ASCENT) Ecosystem plan, a grant for $3 million from Intel that is aimed at addressing the have to have for a STEM-centered workforce to gasoline the escalating superior producing sector in Ohio. 

The team up to date the Board on the progress of the ASCENT method and presented perception into curriculum development next actions and their perform with numerous companion institutions to assist situation the Southeastern Appalachian region of Ohio to capitalize on rising STEM alternatives. 

Ohio University (which includes its Athens, Chillicothe, Eastern, Lancaster, Southern and Zanesville campuses), is partnering with Belmont Higher education, Eastland-Fairfield Profession Center, Hocking University, Marietta Faculty, Mid-East Profession and Technological know-how Center, Shawnee State College, Tri-County Occupation Heart and Zane State University on the ASCENT software.

OHIO’s Inclusive Obtain Textbook Method

Main Info Officer Chris Ament and Enterprise Discovering Units and Tutorial Technology Solutions Manager Eszti Main-Rohrer offered to the Board on the effect of OHIO’s Inclusive Obtain Textbook Program. The application, released in 2018, is aimed at supporting training course materials affordability and entry equity for OHIO college students by giving learners accessibility to business digital class components on the initially day of class, at a expense substantially decreased than current market price.

During the presentation, Significant-Rohrer and Ament described how the software has saved $6.6 million for OHIO learners considering the fact that its launch, and an extra $5.4 million is believed to be saved in course material fees by the end of 2026.

Regional Campus Updates

The Board accepted an amendment to authorize the sale of 6.678 acres of land on the Lancaster Campus adjacent to the Lancaster Town Faculty District for use of the land as a parking great deal and follow discipline that will services its new higher faculty developing. 

Formerly, the University permitted the designation of about 4-acres of land on the Lancaster Campus as surplus, having said that, following study of the land, the acreage was calculated to be 6.678-acres. 

In other enterprise, the Board: 

• Been given an update on the innovation and advancement in the School of Great Arts from Dean Matthew Shaftel, which includes how the faculty has developed in enrollment, strategic engagements, effectiveness methods, and new packages. For the duration of the discussion, Fine Arts college students also shared their own tales relating to how OHIO’s the new Bachelor of Film, Bachelor of Musical Theater, Learn of Arts Administration, and Grasp of Applied Arts and Wellness are positively impacting their lives. 
• Obtained an update from Mark Heil, vice president for finance and administration and CFO, pertaining to the University’s FY23 economical forecast.
• Received an update from Director of Athletics Julie Cromer on intercollegiate athletics, highlighting how university student-athletes proceed to achieve historic degrees of academic accomplishment and how the faculty athletics landscape carries on to modify. Multiple college student-athletes also spoke to the board about their activities and ambitions for the University student Athlete Advisory Committee.
• Obtained a spotlight presentation as part of the President’s report to the Board from Dean Mark Weinberg on the effect of the Voinovich University of Leadership and Public Assistance on the area. 
• Received the 2022 Remediation Report.
• Approved 19 professors for emeriti status upon retirement. 
• Accredited a new degree application, the Bachelor of Arts in International Experiments, and 3 program title variations, the Section of Civil Engineering in the Russ Higher education of Engineering to the Section of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Center for Global Studies’ World wide Experiments – War and Peace plan to Worldwide Scientific tests – War and Peace, and the University of Visible Conversation in the Scripps College or university of Interaction plan in photography to visible conversation.
• Approved two plan critiques: the Health practitioner Assistant Apply in the College or university of Overall health Sciences and Professions and Engineering, Technological know-how and Management in the Russ School of Engineering and Technological innovation.
• Accredited the institution of a quasi-endowment Ohio University fund for Appalachian Ohio pupil achievement.
• Authorized an alteration to construct a part of sewer line on College land.
• Accepted Vice President of Finance and Administration Mark Heil to provide as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees.

The entire Board of Trustees agenda from its January 19 and 20 meetings is readily available on the web at: www.ohio.edu/trustees.