9-15-98

ACADEMIC OFFERINGS ENHANCED FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT OHIO STATE

	COLUMBUS -- Enhancements to academic offerings and student 
services continue to improve the quality of the undergraduate 
experience at The Ohio State University, and they are producing 
measurable results.

	Freshman and upperclass enrollment and retention rates are 
expected to increase this academic year, and university officials 
intend for better service to translate into stronger graduation 
rates, as well.

	“We have a number of plans for this year to help students 
succeed,” said Martha Garland, vice provost for undergraduate 
studies.  Plans range from improving students’ electronic access 
to promoting civic responsibility.

	In the age of the Internet, connectivity is key, Garland 
noted.  As a result, student access to the Internet and the 
availability of electronic resources for a variety of university 
student services continue to improve.

	A project titled ResNet gives every student in every 
residence hall room access to high-speed Internet service.  The 
university expects to complete the wiring of all residence hall 
rooms during autumn quarter, supporting approximately 8,200 
students.  

	Off-campus access includes Road Runner, a high-speed direct 
connection between Time-Warner’s cable network and the 
university’s network, and HomeNet, a service providing limited 
dial-in modem access primarily for e-mail.  The university also 
has reached an agreement with IBM to offer its international 
dial-in Internet service by autumn quarter.

	A new initiative named in honor of the late Ruth Mount will 
encourage students -- undergraduates first, and graduate students 
later -- to develop talents “outside the classroom as well as in 
to become fully effective, engaged citizens,” Garland said.  The 
initiative will feature retreats, workshops, speakers, residence 
hall programming, faculty brown-bags and service opportunities.

	The program is supported by the Ruth Weimer Mount Leadership 
Initiatives Fund, created with memorial gifts from students, 
colleagues, friends and family.  Mount, former associate dean of 
women, director of women’s housing and first dean of students at 
Ohio State, had a long legacy of service to the university 
extending from the time she joined the staff in 1953 until her 
death in the summer of 1997.

	“This initiative will encourage students to become people 
who make a difference -- people who have important civic 
responsibilities, who are good team leaders at the corporate and 
community level, people who actually do become leaders nationally 
and internationally,” Garland said.

	Living-learning opportunities are being expanded in 
residence halls as part of efforts to “use the residence halls 
quite aggressively to support the academic climate,” Garland 
said.

	For example, this year four floors of Park Hall will be 
dedicated to students who are undecided about their major.  As 
part of the program, students will be enrolled in the same 
English class, and a discussion section will meet in the 
residence hall.  Resident advisers and University College faculty 
also will work together to develop thematic programs that 
reinforce each other.  One career exploration program planned is 
a “Parade of Champions,” featuring visits by professionals in a 
variety of fields.

	As part of other existing living-learning opportunities, two 
residence halls are devoted to students majoring in agricultural 
courses, one is reserved for engineering students and an 
international residence hall combines American students with 
international student roommates.

	For the first time this year, officials plan to implement an 
outreach program to students who indicate they may have special 
needs related to academics, financial aid or college adjustment.  
Tutors, financial aid staff members, counselors and residence 
hall personnel are being coordinated to initiate the program 
during autumn quarter.

	“It’s extending a hand to say we’re here to be helpful,” 
said James Mager, assistant vice president for enrollment 
management.

	Added Garland, “The middle of the quarter can be a lonely 
moment.  If the university reaches out and says it cares, it 
makes a big difference.”

	Other initiatives include reorganizing some academic 
advising structures to integrate University College more with 
degree-granting colleges, and systematic changes to the Student 
Information System.  Such changes will increase the services 
delivered over the Web, such as providing password-protected 
electronic records of scheduling and financial aid information.

	
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Contact:  Martha Garland, Academic Affairs, (614) 292-5881