9-14-99
COLUMBUS -- The Younkin Success Center, scheduled to open spring quarter 2000, will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to help students at The Ohio State University meet their full potential -- academically, socially and in seeking employment.
"We hope students will see the Younkin Success Center as a nice place to be that's committed to the idea that they can really succeed. It's not remedial; it's helping you to do your best," said Martha Garland, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies.
David Williams II, vice president for student and urban/community affairs, said the offices of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs have combined efforts to create and operate the Younkin Success Center. The center's name recognizes a $2 million gift from the family of the late Floyd Younkin of Columbus.
"It makes sense for the two offices to work together on this project because students need all kinds of support so they can thrive both inside and outside of the classroom," Williams said. "The Success Center will provide services from both areas under one roof -- making it easier for students to get the help they need to be successful."
Also instrumental in the center's inception was Nancy Zimpher, former dean of the College of Education and now chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Williams said.
"We brainstormed and dreamed that we could have a cooperative effort like the Success Center," said Andy Geiger, assistant vice president for student affairs and athletic director. "Our department is a large part of the financial engine that worked to make this possible. We were motivated by the opportunity to participate with different parts of the university to create a facility that's great for everybody."
The $8.6 million Success Center, currently under construction at 1640 Neil Ave., will house the Academic Learning Lab, a resource library, Career Connection, Student Athlete Support Services, Counseling and Consultation Service, and Faculty and TA Development. There also will be commercial space on the first floor of the building.
Bill Hall, assistant vice president for Housing, Food Services and Event Centers, said the university has not completed arrangements for use of the center's first floor.
"We decided to reserve the first floor for retail space to maintain the commercial flavor of that particular section of Neil Avenue," Hall said. "But whatever business goes in there, it will not overshadow the purpose of the Success Center -- that's a priority."
The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, with the possibility of extended hours during finals weeks.
Bruce Tuckman, director of the Academic Learning Lab and interim director of Faculty and TA Development, is excited about the potential of the Success Center. Tuckman said he and his staff will use computers to assess and, where possible, provide those services that will best suit individual students, particularly in regard to learning and self-motivational strategies.
"We think we have some ideas and some strategies that are going to be very unique around here -- if not in the country," he said. "Computers will be used to provide instruction in learning and self-regulation strategies designed to meet students' needs. It should be more efficient for all involved."
Individual Learning and Motivation: Strategies for Success in College, a class offered by the School of Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education for the past year, also will be held in the learning lab, Tuckman said.
Student Athlete Support Services, one of the six units in the Success Center, will provide student athletes with the privacy and support they need to reach their academic goals, said Kate Riffee, assistant director of athletics.
"When student athletes play for Ohio State, they become very public figures, and that can be very hard," Riffee said. "At times it can be difficult for them to balance all their responsibilities. We hope that providing services in an environment like the Younkin Success Center will help them strike the balance between athletics and academics needed for success."
It's not always a lack of study skills that keeps students from meeting their full potential, said Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services. Sometimes, personal problems interfere with the learning process. Counseling and Consultation will provide students with the mental health services they need to succeed in college. Students can get help with personal and family issues, relationship problems, stress management, adjusting to the university, and career and psychiatric services, she said.
"All of the units will work together," Douce said. "If someone from my staff is talking with a student who thinks he or she is suffering from depression and it turns out they are upset because they're failing calculus, we'll send them to the Academic Learning Lab for help with their study skills. We want students to succeed, and we think the Success Center will be key to making it happen."
The center will serve as a research facility as well as a support unit, Garland said.
"Staff in the different units will keep track of what works best for students with different needs," she said. "This will allow them to utilize the most effective practices when helping students, and they should be able to write reports and articles about their findings in order to help other institutions and units improve the student experience."
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Contact: Louise Douce, Counseling and Consultation Services, 292-5766.
Martha Garland, Academic Affairs, 292-5881. Andy Geiger, Athletics, 292-2477.
Bill Hall, Housing, Food Services and Event Centers, 292-4251. Kate Riffee, Athletics, 292-7088.
Bruce Tuckman, Academic Learning Lab, 688-8284. David Williams II, Student Affairs, 292-9334.