Trustees discuss vision for future of OHIO

The Ohio University Board of Trustees engaged in conversations about wide-ranging efforts to meet the long-term needs of the University community at meetings on the Athens Campus.  

At the Joint Committee meeting on Thursday, Director of University Planning and Space Management Shawna Bolin outlined the University’s progress toward creating a 10-year Comprehensive Master Plan that will incorporate all existing planning initiatives on both the Athens and Dublin campuses. The goal of the document is to provide a cohesive vision for the future of these campuses that uses as its guide OHIO’s core academic needs and strategic priorities.

This comprehensive process will incorporate, among many other projects, the Utilities Master Plan, the Capital Improvement Plan and The Ridges Master Plan. It will further take into account the University’s rich history and campus needs in areas ranging from space utilization and architecture to transportation and sustainability.

According to Bolin, considering all of these separate needs together will provide a strategic and integrated framework for all planning efforts going forward.

The process is being guided by a Steering Committee and led by project directors Kevin Petersen from consulting firm Ayers Saint Gross and Bolin, while numerous committees and task groups serve in an advisory capacity. The Athens and University communities, as well as OHIO alumni, have also been given opportunities to engage in this collaborative process by providing input at public workshops and meetings.

The University has already completed the first two steps – define and assess – in creating the Comprehensive Master Plan. These stages, in addition to gathering feedback from various constituencies, involved an analysis of previous and current plans, initiatives and strategies; a comprehensive inventory of campus spaces; and a SWOT evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

The current phase will use this data to establish a common vision for the future of campus and to develop strategies and planning principles. Trustees will have the opportunity to review the Ridges Framework Plan at their June meeting and will workshop strategies, principles and concept ideas at their August retreat.

University administrators withdrew the President Street Academic Center (PSAC) project from the Joint Session agenda for Thursday due to unforeseen site conditions related to onsite utilities and hazardous material abatement in the building that have negatively impacted the project budget. University administration will be bringing the project back to the Board at a later meeting.  The additional time will be used to better understand how to address these conditions prior to asking the Board to vote on the project.

The Board approved:

• A resolution changing the name of the Urban and Regional Planning major to Urban Planning and Sustainability.
• A resolution to establish two quasi-endowments – the Heritage College Student Scholarship Fund and the Heritage College Research Scholarly Advancement Support Fund.
• A resolution to undertake design for Grover E-122 expansion and the Jefferson Hall culinary renovation; and approval of the site plan for the Ohio University Chillicothe Shoemaker Bridge improvements.
• A resolution to approve construction for Bobcat Lane/Baker University Center Turnaround and Oxbow Trail rehabilitation; the College of Business/Computer Services Center renovation budget amendment; Convocation Center seating replacement; McCracken Hall renovation and addition; Morton Hall lecture room upgrades to rooms 201, 235 and 237; Chillicothe Campus Bennett Hall electrical upgrade phase I; Southern Campus HVAC improvements scope, schedule and budget amendment; Zanesville Campus Center roof; Zanesville Campus Elson Hall second floor; and steam distribution system repairs and approval for the permanent Athens Campus boiler.
• A resolution to approve the conveyance of land to the Ohio Department of Transportation for Belmont County Road improvements.
• A resolution to direct the vice president for Finance and Administration to identify and secure suitable alternative housing for the president and first lady; to evaluate the cost of remediating any structural, environmental or safety conditions in the president’s residence; to review the appropriateness of using this building as a private residence as part of the comprehensive campus planning process; and to report back to the Board with his recommendations.
• Resolutions to elect Sandra Anderson chair and David Wolfort vice chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees. Their terms will begin on May 14, 2015, and end on May 13, 2016.