Executive director of housing and residence life talks campus housing plans

“Jneanne Hacker accepts the Administrative Service Award in 2015,” Photo by Ben Wirtz Siegel.

Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life Jneanne Hacker met with Ohio University’s Student Senate at their meeting Wednesday night. Her presentation covered all areas of residence life from efforts to create an inclusive student community to the six-year capital improvement plan. 

Hacker elaborated on the importance of student connection, stressing the need to foster immediate connections when students step onto campus. While opening events and welcome week are major highlights, the attention to detail goes as far as building residence halls in a neighborhood or “green” format to make resident life more intimate.

“One of the things we take pride in here at Ohio University is our leaders’ ability to make a very large residential experience feel very small, intimate, and connected,” Hacker said.

Other university initiatives include THRIVE, which focuses on helping students find their own path to well-being, expanding gender-inclusive housing and increasing student accessibility for those with injuries or disabilities. 

In terms of investments, Ohio U is looking to create more outdoor engagement spaces for students, as well as create an engagement space in Boyd Hall that mirrors the Living Learning Center (LLC) on South Green. 

There is also a six-year capital improvement plan that accounts for several dorm renovations, both major and minor, and updates to facilities such as bathrooms and common areas. Two consultants, Ayers Saint Gross and Brailsford and Dunlavey, gave recommendations to the university in February, and Housing Master Plan Presentations to the Board of Trustees in April, June and August. The final recommendation to the Board will be given later this month. The presentations can be found on the Board of Trustees’ website.

In other news, senate passed a number of resolutions as well as a bill.

Student Senate passed Resolution 2223-45, which approved the purchase of $359.12 worth of supplies for Russ College Welcome Week.

Student Senate voted to appoint Reagan Farmer as University Life Senator for Athletics, a position that has been void since before COVID-19. They also voted to appoint Jalen Tolbert as associate justice on the Judicial Panel.

Student Senate also passed bill 2223-02, which supported a policy change to make an excused absence on election day. 

Student Senate also announced a safety walk to improve safety on campus. 

Additionally, flu shot and COVID-19 booster clinics will be held on October 13 from 9-11 a.m. in Baker 233 and October 20 from 3-5 p.m. in Baker 235.