One-third of student housing on the Columbus campus will be upgraded in a $250 million renovation project
President Gee has said that he wants to create the "true collegiate experience"at Ohio State, a vibrant intellectual community where students are fully engaged in campus activities and opportunities. He believes that when students live and participate in residential programs - close to libraries, labs, galleries, theaters and student activities - they have a more meaningful learning experience.
Research backs this up: students who live on campus are more satisfied with their college experience, earn higher grade point averages, and are more likely to graduate. A structured, managed living environment supports and complements the student's academic experience.
To help achieve the President's goal, the Office of Student Life at Ohio State has begun a $250 million student housing capital improvement project. This unprecedented plan involves the renovation of Lincoln, Jones, and the South Towers (Park, Smith, Stradley, Steeb and Siebert), new construction in the Hall Complex and completion of multiple renewal projects in other residence halls. As a result, there will be a wider variety of quality housing options for students at Ohio State - including traditional singles and doubles, suites and apartments.
What has already been done on campus?
The transformation has been dramatic - and is continuing. New state-of-the-art recreation facilities opened in 2005. The new Ohio Union, scheduled to open in 2010, promises to be an exciting, vibrant center for student activity. The heart of intellectual activity, the newly renovated Thompson Library will be completed next summer.
Dining on campus has evolved from five traditional cafeterias in 1993 to 27 food service operations in 2008, including coffee carts, cafes, dining commons and restaurants with carry-out, late-night, healthy and vegetarian options. Seven new operations will open when the Ohio Union, Thompson Library and other campus projects are completed.
The Office of Student Life has invested $150 million in Columbus campus housing improvements during the past 15 years, most notably with the construction of the new William Hall Complex and the renovation/conversion of Archer House into a residence hall. Now we are set to invest an additional $250 million.
What are the goals of the project?
The overall goal is to create the best possible living/learning communities for our students. Specific goals include:
- 90% of residence hall bed spaces to be double or single occupancy (currently 69%)
- 81% of residence hall spaces to be air conditioned (currently 58%)
- 88% of residence hall spaces to have private or semi-private bathrooms (currently 60%)
- completion of more than $30 million in other projects, to improve the quality of living environments
What renovations are involved in the project?
To meet these goals, more than one-third of the Columbus campus residence hall system will be upgraded, with renovations affecting 2400 existing beds and the construction of 1000 new beds. This includes:
- Lincoln: addition of 670 new beds, converting floors 1-15 from office space to student housing
- Jones: upgrades to heating and air conditioning, flooring, front desk
- Park and Smith: air conditioning, bathrooms,* remodeling of entrances and public areas
- Steeb, Stradley and Siebert: AC, bathrooms*, remodeling of entrances and public areas
- Hall Complex expansion: addition of 410 beds
In addition, the Office of Student Life will invest more than $30 million in other residence halls for scheduled electrical upgrades, additional bathroom modernizations, elevator upgrades, HVAC renewals, roof replacements and aesthetic improvements.
*converting community bathrooms to private bathroom clusters
How will the project be paid for?
To fully pay for the project, student room and board fees would need to be increased above the amount needed to cover normal operation inflation each year over the next several years. We are seeking alternative funding sources that could lessen the impact. Current fees for a standard double occupancy room and base meal plan at Ohio State are seventh among public Ohio universities and fifth in the Big Ten. These fees include a fully furnished room, all utilities, wired and wireless high speed internet, cable TV, phone, 24 hour service help desk, educational and residential programming and support, on-campus location, computer labs, student and community space.
Will sophomores be required to live on campus?
Ohio State is now assessing the potential impact of requiring all first- and second-year students to live in managed living/learning environments sanctioned by the university. In addition to traditional on-campus housing, sophomore living options might include the fraternity and sorority system or other university-certified housing near campus.
A sophomore living requirement would not affect incoming 2008 students, but the capital improvement project will increase the number, quality and variety of living options, which would pave the way for meeting any increased need for capacity.
The goal is to provide all first- and second-year students with a meaningful residential experience that integrates and supports their academic endeavors.
Did you know...
- Approximately 10,000 students live on campus - 5600 first-years, 2000 sophomores, 1500 juniors and seniors, and 800 graduate/family students
- 25% of undergraduates live in university housing
- Approximately 13,000 students live in the immediate off campus area