Jones Tower Fact Sheet
$8.3 million renovation of Jones Tower
At Ohio State, our goal is to create a vibrant academic community, where all students are engaged in campus activities and opportunities. Most of our graduate and professional students choose to be involved in the campus through their intellectual, cultural and other social interests, rather than living in university housing. About 6% of the graduate/professional students at Ohio State live on campus, primarily in the William Hall Complex, Buckeye Village, and Jones Tower. Jones currently houses 400 graduate and professional students, and 75 older undergraduates. Beginning in the summer of 2009, the Office of Student Life will make $8.3 million in improvements to Jones Tower.
Why does Jones Tower need renovations?
Jones was built in 1969 and since then has been used primarily to house graduate and professional students, who live there year-round. Unlike most residence halls which close during the summer months for upgrades and maintenance, Jones has been open continuously for 39 consecutive years without a break for major renovations. Its HVAC and water systems are deteriorating. Because of the scope of the renovations needed, Jones must close for one year.
This $8.3 million Jones Tower project is part of a larger $250 million improvement plan to renovate student residences at Ohio State.
What exactly is being done to Jones - and when?
Jones Tower will be taken off line July 2009 for the $8.3 million renovation, which includes:
- complete replacement of room heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units
- replacement of plumbing risers to improve the water system
- shower valve upgrades
- ADA modifications to the front desk
- corridor carpet replacement
Construction will begin in July of 2009; residents must move to other housing by June 30, 2009.
What will happen to the current residents?
We have notified Jones residents about the closing and are also holding town meetings to talk about how the university will help them find new housing. Several off-campus landlords have indicated that they will identify spaces for graduate students within a price range comparable to current university rates. In Autumn 2008, Student Life's Off Campus Student Services office will organize activities to match students with landlords.
We want to be as accommodating as possible in this time of transition. If residents prefer to break their leases prior to June 30, 2009, we will waive any financial penalty, provided that the rent has been paid in full at the time of departure.
What is the future of Jones - and of graduate housing at Ohio State?
University Residences & Dining Services's main focus for graduate and professional students will be to provide a reasonable level of transitional housing for those who need it most (particularly for incoming international students). Jones Tower's role in meeting this need is currently under review by the Office of Student Life in consultation with the Graduate School and the Office of Academic Affairs.
What are the housing alternatives for graduate/professional students?
We are offering the following options with our students' needs in mind, including affordable rent, individual kitchens, furnished spaces and proximity to campus.
- University Residences & Dining Services will set aside an additional 30-40 one-bedroom apartments at Buckeye Village (buckeyevillage.osu.edu/index.asp). These apartments are fully furnished and include kitchens. The Campus Area Bus Services (C.A.B.S.) also provides service from Buckeye Village to the main campus.
- The Hall Complex, specifically the Neil Avenue Building (housing.osu.edu), has 123 apartment rooms designated for graduate and professional students. The units are fully furnished and include kitchens.
- The Office of Off-Campus Student Services (offcampus.osu.edu/housing.asp) has identified additional privately-owned apartments to meet students' living preferences and budget. Our staff will assist residents in finding apartments for their individual needs.
- Temporary housing will be provided during the summer targeted at new incoming graduate and professional students who have not yet obtained housing. Off Campus Student Services will be geared up to assist these students with finding housing in the community prior to the start of Autumn Quarter.
- Recently, two housing developments targeted at graduate and professional students have also been added to the campus - the Campus Partners operated Gateway apartments, which house a number of law students, and the privately operated Fisher Commons at Lane/Kenny, which houses primarily MBA students.