Ohio University’s kicked off their day of conversation by combining their academic and resources committees and discussing the institution’s Six Year Capital Improvement Plan and guaranteed tuition.
The Capital Improvement Plan will be discussed more at length later in the day, but Steve Golding, OU’s vice president for finance and administration also provided an update on the ongoing construction projects.
“It’s clear as you walk on campus there’s already a lot going on,” Golding said.
The board will vote to approve construction including a new medical multipurpose building, interdisciplinary science facility and renovations to Seigfried Hall.
“Our challenge is not to build it is quite frankly to do the planning to make the projects happen that are embedded in the capital plan,” Golding said.
Golding reiterated the university’s commitment to maintaining the university’s number of enrolled students and save the funding for possibly expanding its academic programs in the future.
“If we have good facilities, we’re going to attract good faculty. If we attract good faculty, we attract good students. This is a good cycle,” said Pam Benoit, OU’s executive vice president and provost.
Benoit also offered an update on the university’s guaranteed tuition plan — which trustees approved at its June meeting.
Guaranteed tuition would offer a flat rate to incoming students over a period of four years. Exceptions would include students who have programs that take longer to complete or need to be excused for military or medical purposes.
The plan, which has been discussed by a group of university officials, will now be offered to out of state students.
“This isn’t a ‘gottya’ program. This is a transparent program. We want to try to help students and their families stabilize the costs,” said OU President Roderick McDavis
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