OU programs on road to revamp

by Tim Pappa
Staff Writer

The review of nine Ohio University academic programs presented last month to the Ohio Board of Trustees listed several failed expectations in the area of adequacy of resources.

Officials said that for most of the programs, resources availability centers on having space for a productive learning environment, whether it involves technology or classrooms.

The review, conducted by the University Curriculum Council and OU committees, spanned seven years. Each university department worked with the Ohio Board of Trustees to evaluate the condition of each program and its progress, or lack thereof.

Nancy Bain, Department of Geography chairwoman, said the department is in need of technological improvement and additional faculty.

"They decided that we really needed someone to work on the network systems and software in our department," Bain said. "We also requested another professor to lecture."

To fulfill each request, the department chairwoman must ask the college — in this case, the College of Arts and Sciences — to fund the technology specialist position, as well as asking for additional space, Bain said. When requesting the hiring of a new teacher, the department files its wish under the New Faculty Initiative.

The initiative, started under former Provost Sharon Brehm, is comprised of a pool of money that is competitively requested by any department with a proposal. Bain said the idea is that an increase in the number of students translates into an increase of incoming tuition, therefore creating the funds that would pay for new faculty members.

Space also is an issue for the economics department. Chairwoman Jan Palmer said many of the classes now situated in Haning Hall will be moved to Bentley Hall.

"We don't have enough space here," Palmer said. "It is primarily a lack of faculty research space and available classrooms. There is a lot more space in Bentley Hall."

Bentley Hall was built in 1923 and originally used as the men's gymnasium, as well as a basketball court and track. The building was renovated in 1961 to allow for classrooms and lecture halls and is currently undergoing additional renovations.

While some OU programs are headed for Bentley's doors, the political science department is on its way out — at least for the time being.

"The seven-year review team was very disturbed with the condition of Bentley Hall, specifically with office space and cramped classrooms," said Michael Mumper, political science department chairman.

Mumper said the newest addition to Bentley Hall should be ready next fall. Once the addition is ready, all political science offices will move in and fill the space.

Construction then will involve closing the older section of Bentley Hall for more renovations, followed by the transition of moving political science classrooms and offices again.

"Over the next three years there will be many transitions," Mumper said. "I hope it all leads to a substantially better facility."