Here’s a brief rundown of last school year’s happenings to get you caught up on Ohio University’s current events.
TUITION INCREASE
Ohio University Board of Trustees members raised tuition and fees for the second consecutive year by 1.6 percent at its last meeting of the 2012-13 school year, and a tuition increase was published on the university’s website as expected costs for the 2013-14 school year before the vote even took place.
Four students were arrested for protesting the tuition hike at the trustees’ meeting. They were charged with obstructing and interfering with a lawful meeting, but took a lesser charge and paid a fine of $100 and court costs.
TRUSTEE VOTING RIGHTS
A re-introduced Ohio House bill would give voting rights to student trustees who sit on public Ohio universities’ boards of trustees. Previous OU student trustees have advocated against student trustee voting rights, except for recently appointed student trustee Keith Wilbur, a junior studying political science.
As more public universities take a stance on the bill, state legislators are calling for OU to also comment on student trustee voting rights. As of press time, the university has not given a clear stance on the matter to The Post.
GUARANTEED TUITION
OU’s Board of Trustees approved a committee to flesh out the finer details of its guaranteed tuition model. The model, approved by state legislators, would require universities to offer students a flat tuition rate over four years. The tuition for each incoming class would be calculated by using the rate of inflation. Those critical of the model claim it would increase the rate of tuition every year, undisputed by the university which claims it is “more likely than not” to raise it every year. The model would allow university officials to increase the tuition rate more than the current state maximum — 3.5 percent. OU hopes to roll out the plan no later than fall 2015.
PRESIDENT’S HOUSE
The Board of Trustees revealed that it had been approached by a donor interested in building OU President Roderick McDavis a new residence off campus. McDavis is the only Ohio public university president who still lives on campus.
During Spring Semester, the donor withdrew this interest, but OU officials are still mulling over the idea of moving the presidential residence off campus.
HOUSING MASTER PLAN
Ohio University has committed to revamping South Green by demolishing most of the standing dorms. The new rooms will be more like suites, which allow larger study rooms, shorter hallways, and fewer people sharing a bathroom. OU officials said they hope this will make the university more competitive with other public universities. Phase one of the project will be completed in six years and is mainly funded through debt. To offset the costs, OU plans to increase board fees by 3.5 percent per year over the next 10 years.
THE RIDGES DEMOLITION
Building 26 at The Ridges, formerly the tuberculosis ward and Beacon School, came crumbling down during spring break despite the fact that many Athens residents and Ohio University students expressed opposition to the demolition. Athens City Council members and representatives from the Athens County Historical Society & Museum called for the reforming of The Ridges Advisory Committee to force OU to consider public opinion.
OU President Roderick McDavis called for the committee to be reformed, a move OU’s Board of Trustees approved, after the demolition of Building 26 was completed.
sj950610@ohiou.edu
