Editor's note: An incorrect version of this story ran in Friday's issue of The Post. This version is the most up to date.
Speculation that Ohio University’s top administrator will no longer live on-campus has been silenced — for now.
“There are no plans at this time to move the president’s residence, because it is not a priority for the donor who approached our Board of Trustees last year about building a new residence,” said Jennifer Kirksey, OU President Roderick McDavis’ chief of staff, in an email. “However, we are very realistic that we need to — now or in the near future — address the needs of the Residence in order for it to be a viable place to house current and future presidents of Ohio University.”
The donor first approached the board last fall, prompting some to wonder whether McDavis would move out of the home that has housed OU presidents for 60 years. But within the last few months contacted OU to say this change was no longer a priority, Kirksey said.
She added, however, that discussions to move the president’s residence off campus are not “off the table,” though OU has not identified the resources that could be used for such a project.
Repairs have recently been made to the residence, but they stem from routine needs — not preparations to repurpose or sell the property.
Facilities replaced the sidewalk in front of McDavis’ home in January, costing $5,000, according to a previous Post article.
Other grounds work undertaken includes seasonal work, such as replanting grass, Kirksey said. She added all the work was funded through routine maintenance funds.
McDavis is the only public university president in the state of Ohio who lives on campus, living in the largest house at 8,034 square feet.
Peter Mather, secretary to the Board of Trustees, said there has been no movement on the topic of moving McDavis off campus since the board’s original conversation.
“(My wife) Deborah and I are very happy at 29 Park Place,” McDavis said in a September Post article. “I especially enjoy being able to walk to work, the easy interaction with faculty, students and staff and the hosting of our community at our home.”
OU bought the current house in 1951 for $60,000, and it has housed seven OU presidents since, according to a previous Post article.
The house is currently valued at $926,050, according to the Athens County Auditor’s Office.
“Whether 29 Park Place remains as the President’s Residence or not, the home is a physical asset of the university,” Kirksey said. “And like every other facility on our campuses, we need to address any health, life, and safety issues that may arise as well as provide annual maintenance.”
