Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk (614) 292-3040

 

Ohio State’s regional campuses set to expand

Trustees approve new capital projects to add student housing and services

COLUMBUS -- As enrollment continues to grow at Ohio State’s regional campuses, features that enhance the quality of life outside the classroom – such as residence halls and expanded student services – will become a common sight. 

And as the traditional commuter schools continue to draw from a bigger geographical area, there is a significant demand for on-campus student housing on these campuses, located in smaller communities that have a shortage of apartments.

To help meet that need, several campuses have been given the green light to build on-campus student housing. The Ohio State Board of Trustees on Nov. 2 granted approval to Ohio State Marion and Ohio State Newark to hire architects for the design of such facilities. Approval was given at the Aug. 29 trustees meeting to Ohio State Lima to proceed with a residence hall.

At Marion, a $7.4 million facility will be built that will provide on-campus student housing for between 150 and 250 students. The four-person suites will include rest rooms and kitchens, common living areas, a main lobby, a recreation room, a computer center, classrooms, support offices and apartments, parking and laundry facilities. Construction is expected to begin during the summer of 2003, and be completed during the summer of 2004.

Dean Dominic Dottavio said there is a significant proportion of students interested in student housing as the geographic reach of Ohio State Marion expands. Currently, 35 percent to 40 percent of students are from Marion County, with students from eight different states and 39 Ohio counties making up the rest of Ohio State Marion’s student enrollment.

In the spirit of serving the students, Ohio State Marion also is expanding its offering of four-year degree programs and upper-level courses, and is offering two intercollegiate sports – golf and basketball – this year. It also is expecting to open a new Student Services Building by autumn 2003 that will house admissions, financial aid, academic advising and career counseling.

At Ohio State Newark, a $9.9 million, 240-bed facility will be designed to provide on-campus housing that includes four-person suites with similar features to the Marion residence hall. Funding is provided by University bond proceeds, with debt service paid by Student Affairs.

Ohio State Newark also received approval from trustees to seek construction bids for the John Gilbert Reese Center. The information technology center will include high-tech classrooms, expanded distance learning capabilities, World Wide Web access and e-mail stations for students. The 70,000-square-foot facility will also house a conference and performing arts center. Funding for the $13.4 million facility comes from a combination of gifts to the University, future capital appropriations and funds from Central Ohio Technical College, which shares the campus.

Meanwhile, a 120- to 240-room residence hall at Ohio State Lima will serve not only Ohio State Lima students, but also the Lima Technical College, said Dean Violet Meek. Ohio State Lima has nearly 1,400 students, most of who come from a 10-county area surrounding Lima. Meek said student housing on the regional campuses is part of a larger issue addressed in the Academic Plan that calls for finding more ways to provide access to an Ohio State education.

Ohio State Lima has been offering more four-year degree programs in recent years. As it begins to develop a resident student population, already flourishing programs, such as the arts and student activities, will be further enhanced, Meek said. Plans also call for living/learning sections in the residence halls.

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