The 20,000-pound monument rests on the edge of Buckeye Grove, south of Ohio Stadium. Its location is adjacent to the fields where the marching band practices.

“There’s nothing that highlights the tradition of Script Ohio outside of that game day experience or the band,” said Austin Cool, a biophysics graduate research assistant. “So we wanted to make sure everybody on campus was able to be a part of the great tradition that is Script Ohio.”

Cool has been working on the project as a member of Ohio Staters, Inc. since he was an undergraduate student. Ohio Staters is a student, faculty and staff service organization that promotes the welfare and traditions of Ohio State.

Cool, who worked on the project with Madalynn Conkle, an English literature and economics major, said he was inspired to give fellow Buckeyes a chance to dot the ‘i’ on Script Ohio. The statue stands 8 feet tall and 14 feet wide and is very deliberately missing a dot where the ‘i’ should rest.

“We wanted to invite everybody to be a part of that tradition and not just remember its amazing effect of bringing the entire Ohio State crew together. So we removed the dot of the ‘i’ off of the sculpture and are inviting everybody to be able dot the ‘i’ on their own,” Cool said.

It’s likely the new statue will become a favored location for selfies. Cool said he already snapped a picture of himself behind Script Ohio. Funding for the sculpture came from the sale of stadium seat cushions.

Ohio Staters were assisted by the university’s Office of Facilities Operations and Development. Project manager Karin Murillo-Kirlangitis helped guide the project from design to construction and worked with Ohio Staters and Columbus Art Memorial to build the monument.

Construction of the centerpiece of the historic Mirror Lake District started in late 2016. The lake has remained largely empty since then – filled with backhoes and construction workers. That’s changing.

Work crews continue to install walkways, add landscaping and refine some of the features surrounding the new Mirror Lake. Now the area looks more like the iconic campus location that it was and less like a construction site. An opening date in mid-August is expected.

“I think the biggest change in my mind is it is going to look a lot more open than it did before. We’ve pulled some of the perimeter planting back and we’ll be planting the lake edge. It will have a much softer edge,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann.

Volkmann said one of the improvements that has him excited about the renovated Mirror Lake is the increase in seating. New benches, overlooks and terraces and scarlet Adirondack chairs will encircle the area.

A technology upgrade will see Wi-Fi access throughout the district. That should allow students to study or faculty to teach in the area.

The historic Mirror Lake District renovation, which includes Baker Commons, Browning Amphitheater and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, aligns with the university’s campus master plan, Framework 2.0. The seating in Browning Amphitheatre has been repaired or replaced and new landscaping surrounds the stage. Construction inside and around Pomerene Hall is reaching a conclusion.

The renovated Mirror Lake was designed with input from students, faculty and staff to be safer and more sustainable.

“The new plant material provides a habitat that will be great for pollinators. From that standpoint it will be a much more sustainable landscape. We are just really providing better habitat than we did before,” he said.

The new lake is shallower and has sloping edges that will be covered with native plant material, contributing to a safer environment as well.

Volkmann said the new Mirror Lake is a return to historic roots.

“With the founding of the university it used to be just a stream that ran through here. It was originally a bog,” he said. “But over the years, the lake changed. As the university developed, Mirror Lake changed shape and size. The most recent change is that of a brick bottom with stone walls. That’s what everybody was most familiar with but that wasn’t really [Mirror Lake’s] origins. With this redesign we’re moving it back towards its original condition.”

Drake answered questions about the search and the new role for an hour at a town hall in Meiling Hall Wednesday night. In November, Ohio State launched a national search for a new leader of the university’s growing academic health operation. Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron is chairing a search advisory committee of faculty, staff and students.

“We have continued to grow and we now have a massive enterprise in the health sciences,” Drake said.

He said the new leader would take over a medical center operation that accounts for about half of the university’s budget and is on the verge of a major expansion.

The university announced plans last year to develop a new hospital and ambulatory centers. The new hospital tower would be the largest single facilities project ever undertaken at Ohio State.

“We really need someone focused entirely on helping our university be the best academic health center it can be. And to set the tone for the model academic health center in the 21st century,” Drake said.

Faculty and staff who attended the town hall had a range of questions about the position. Drake was asked about the importance of recruiting a candidate who understood Buckeye culture.

Witt/Kieffer, the firm the university is using to help in the search for the position, has experience in helping identify people who are compatible with institutional culture, Drake said.

“That this person is a good Buckeye is actually a critical criterion,” he said. “That will be a requirement.”

Drake was also asked about the timeline needed to get the new leader hired and up to speed. He said having a person hired by the fall would require candidates to be identified and interviewed in the spring and summer – a tall order.

“What we want is someone who can hit the ground running. And then over time, build more and more connections with us,” he said. “The first thing we can do is get the best person for us.”

The town hall was the latest effort to involve the university community in the search process. In February, the search committee held listening sessions to get feedback on the position. The university has also set up a website to allow people to ask questions, offer input or make recommendations.

Drake noted the medical center closed out its most financially successful fiscal year in June, and the demand for patient care and medical education is greater than ever. He wants a leader to help continue the momentum but to also appreciate all of the great work already being done by faculty and staff in the health sciences and medical center.

“At the end, we’re looking for a person we’ll love and admire.”

Moving day is not far off for the new tenants of Pomerene Hall on the campus of The Ohio State University.

A tour last week reveals that more than a year of construction has turned one of the classic buildings on campus into a modern monument to advanced teaching and learning. Through the clamor of nail guns, circular saws and drills, the renovations are reaching their final stages.

Pomerene is the future home of Ohio State’s Translational Data Analytics Institute, Undergraduate Data Analytics Major and the Department of History of Art. The $59M State Capital funded project is part of the restoration of the historic Mirror Lake District, which includes the renovation of Oxley Hall and Browning Amphitheatre.

The revived building will soon become a home again. History of Art faculty and staff are expected to move into Pomerene Hall by the end of May. Data Analytics members are expected to get the keys to their new offices in early June.

And those new spaces are impressive. One of the highlights of Pomerene Hall is the renovation to a former gymnasium that was part of the university’s women’s student union. While the basketball lines have been removed from the flooring, more than 90 percent of the original wood floor remains.

The massive two-story room will soon host state-of-the-art labs for building hardware, testing software, and conducting large-scale visualization analysis and data simulations. TDAI’s Ideation Zone will also feature a Social Café with a 10-foot bar top and flexible meeting space for workshops and team meetings.

The renovation of Pomerene Hall, built in 1922, has required extra care. The new addition is being built to replicate the features of the original building with significant attention to detail. Contractors have repaired or restored historic plaster ceilings, wood paneling, brick and limestone. Dozens of original wooden doors have been saved and refurbished.

But some modern touches will fill the building. An eye-catching, three-story glass atrium is almost complete. A large art mural will stretch from floor to ceiling and LED accent lighting will be embedded in the wood paneling.

The project aligns with Ohio State’s campus master plan, Framework 2.0, serving as a long-term guiding vision that imagines transformational research and learning environments over the next decade and beyond.

“I am honored to represent The Ohio State University on this elite list of my industry peers,” Costantino said. “This award speaks to the high-quality work performed at Ohio State, and I share this honor with our entire planning, design and construction teams who have contributed to the physical transformation of our campus.”

Costantino, who has served as Ohio State’s university architect since 2005, will be honored at an investiture ceremony at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on June 22 during the 2018 AIA National Conference in New York City.

As Ohio State’s university architect, Costantino is directly involved in the planning and design of all major projects, including buildings, landscapes and streetscapes. He is a member of the university’s Design Review Board, a decision-making council of esteemed practitioners and university leaders tasked with reviewing all major architectural and landscape projects for alignment with the university’s design guidelines. He has been a key proponent of several important Ohio State initiatives, including sustainability-focused building and design excellence.

Ohio State is a key contributor to the Central Ohio construction industry and continues to build more sustainably. Since 2009, Ohio State boasts 23 LEED certified projects from the U.S. Green Building Council, including LEED Gold certification for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, the South Residential High Rise and the Residence on Tenth.

“Bernie has provided vision and innovative leadership working across our planning, design and construction departments to help Ohio State develop a vibrant, sustainable urban campus,” said Jay Kasey, senior vice president, Office of Administration and Planning. “Ohio State continues to advance the Framework 2.0 Plan, a guiding vision for physical change to support the academic mission.”

During Costantino’s tenure as university architect, design firms have won numerous awards for their work on Ohio State projects, including national honors for the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and the 2010 One Ohio State Framework Plan.

Before joining Ohio State, Costantino worked for five years as City of Columbus downtown development planner and more than two decades in private practice, including 19 years as principal of an interdisciplinary design firm.

Proposed energy conservation measures would improve lighting at dozens of campus buildings and create a more efficient heating and cooling system for a campus laboratory building. Meanwhile, four proposed endowments would be created to support Ohio State’s core academic mission.

These proposals, which represent core initiatives of the Comprehensive Energy Management Project, will be presented to the Board of Trustees this week.

In July, Ohio State entered a 50-year partnership with Ohio State Energy Partners to manage the university’s energy system and improve the sustainability of the Columbus campus. The $1.165 billion agreement represents the largest investment in the university’s academic mission.

As part of this innovative public-private partnership, Ohio State Energy Partners has committed to improve the energy efficiency of the Columbus campus by at least 25 percent within 10 years. That target is one of the university’s sustainability goals.

The two proposals before the Board of Trustees represent the first major energy conservation measures under the new relationship:

• The $3.4 million lighting project would upgrade the interior lighting in 51 campus buildings, including Fisher Hall, Independence Hall, Jesse Owens Recreation Center, Ohio Stadium, University Hall, Dreese Laboratory, to LED technology.
• Dreese would also receive a $2.3 million upgrade of its heating and cooling systems, a project that would reduce energy consumption in the building by 37 percent. The project includes supplementing existing chillers and cooling towers with a new heat recovery chiller, pumps and hydronic system modifications, HVAC control upgrades, and insulation of steam valves and fittings.

Under the university’s energy partnership, Ohio State Energy Partners would provide the capital funding for these projects.

The university’s Energy Advisory Committee is reviewing a 5-year plan that will be presented to the board at a future meeting. This plan will include Ohio State Energy Partners’ proposals for operations, energy conservation projects and other capital improvements needed to upgrade and maintain the university’s energy system.

Endowments

Also on the February board agenda are four endowments that the university would create from proceeds of the energy management partnership.

• The $280 million Access, Affordability and Excellence Student Scholarship Endowment Fund would provide support for student financial aid. The university has already announced that this endowment will support an unprecedented expansion of our affordability efforts by ensuring that all Pell-eligible students in Ohio receive an aid package that covers the full cost of tuition.
• A $210 million development fund would support programs that aid faculty and staff, including support for financial compensation.
• The $210 million Strategic Initiatives Endowment Fund would support priorities in the university’s new strategic plan.
• A $75 million Energy Stabilization Fund would help pay for unexpected fluctuations in energy prices and other issues related to energy procurement, utilization and optimization. This endowment would include $43 million in proceeds from the Comprehensive Energy Management Project; the rest comes from university reserves.

Endowments are invested in the Long-Term Investment Pool to provide ongoing, stable support for university priorities. Each year, Ohio State distributes 4.5 percent of a rolling 7-year average of the LTIP’s market value.

Beyond the endowments, the energy partnership proceeds include $150 million for academic collaboration in specific areas requested by students, faculty and staff during the bidding process and a nearly $250 million fund for investments in classrooms, labs and arts spaces.

Beyond the energy conservation projects and endowments on next week’s agenda, the Board of Trustees will also consider four other capital projects to maintain Ohio State’s energy system. They involve upgrading the university’s natural gas system, modernizing the controls and safety systems at McCracken Power Plant, utility improvements at the Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza and design of infrastructure upgrades along College Avenue. Collectively, these four projects would cost Ohio State Energy Partners $8.7 million.

The wrapping is about to come off a new look for the Olentangy River and the river’s connection from The Ohio State University to downtown Columbus.

Last month, the Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture hosted professional designers, students and community leaders for the Olentangy River Charrette. Thursday night, the designs for the corridor sparked by those sessions will be revealed.

“There will be ideas that are a bit provocative,” said Keith Myers, Ohio State’s associate vice president of planning and real estate. “It’s important that even some of the more provocative ideas will lead to real-world solutions that I think will ultimately create a great connection between the university and downtown.”

A dozen current Knowlton School architecture, landscape architecture and city and regional planning students worked over a two-day period with representatives from architecture and design firms NBBJ, West 8, REALM, TLS Landscape Architecture and MKSK.

“What’s great about it is it’s bringing together groups from the university, from the business community, from the academic community and outside experts to look at really long-range problems and open up a world of possibilities,” said Steve Schoeny, director of development for Columbus. “And really start with a blank slate and say OK, if we could take a certain set of existing conditions and completely rethink how we’re doing this, what could we do? What would be the opportunities? What would be the challenges? And how can we really envision the future in a different way?”

Ohio State, the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., the Columbus Partnership, Nationwide Realty Investors, MORPC and the City of Columbus sponsored the design challenge. The results could have a long-term impact on the perception of the city.

“It’s especially important somewhere like Columbus,” said Claire Agre, a principal and senior landscape architect at West 8. “[People] know it’s cool and it gets ranked very high for quality of life and kind of the hipster factor and it’s a great place to do business. But people don’t know what it looks like. What does it feel like? What are the qualities?”

Each of the team leaders recognized incorporating the river was central to this design challenge.

“We’ve got to find ways to get people, you know, from the banks really onto the water, over the water. Use the whole space of the river corridor,” said Tom Leader, principal, TLS Landscape Architecture. “What is so great about this, you don't need to invent this amenity; it’s sitting there waiting for this development.”

The river as an amenity is a change in the way the city was designed. The two-mile corridor featured a mix of retail, roads and residential. Connecting it all in a holistic fashion requires a new kind of thinking.

“We’re part of a millennial shift, from a time when rivers were thought to be simply carriers of floods or industrial assets. But over the last century or so we realize, especially as our cities are becoming bigger and denser, that rivers are also our connection to nature,” said Alex Krieger, principal, NBBJ. “And so we’re in the process really of the sort of shift in our sensibilities from thinking about rivers as sort of back yards or production yards to becoming our front yards or our front lawn.”

Some of the teams were challenging the way we get around the corridor, including the reliance on cars and buses.

“We’ve been talking in our team about how the car is the default. But if there were better opportunities for walking and biking then people will begin to gravitate towards those,” said Agre. “In our team, we said let’s think 50 years out. Let’s just say, what is the city going to look like in 2067, when our grandkids are running the place? And let’s plan for that.”

Schoeny said having a bold vision is critical to help re-imagine the corridor. He thinks the teams are up to the challenge.

“The whole point is to challenge your set of assumptions.”

The university will request approval for professional service contracts not to exceed $45 million for the interdisciplinary research facility, arts district and interdisciplinary health sciences center.

In addition, the university is seeking approval to advertise for professional services for inpatient and outpatient services facilities at the Wexner Medical Center.

The five projects, approved as programming studies in April, advance a number of the university’s strategic focus areas, including research and creative expression, teaching and learning, and academic health care.

“Our strategic plan sets forth bold aspirations for Ohio State — and we continue to explore new ways across all disciplines to define the 21st century flagship public research university,” said Bruce A. McPheron, executive vice president and provost.

Additional information, including features identified through the programming studies, includes:

• Interdisciplinary research facility: innovative and modern environment to serve multiple disciplines; programming study identified approximately 380,000 new square feet — including wet, computation and core labs, a vivarium and support spaces — as part of the mid-west campus research corridor.

• Arts district: high-quality learning environments for interaction across the arts with long-term plans to open Ohio State’s front door to the heart of the University District at 15th Avenue and High Street; programming study identified the relocation of the Department of Theatre, consolidation of the fine arts, music, dance and theatre library collections; expansion of Weigel Hall for the School of Music and moving-image production major.

• Interdisciplinary health sciences center: upgraded and flexible facilities to create a collaborative campus for interprofessional education throughout the Health Sciences, including the colleges of medicine, optometry and nursing and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences; programming study identified classrooms, teaching and simulation labs, faculty offices and support spaces surrounding a quadrangle with green space.

• Wexner Medical Center hospital: programming study continues to plan for best-of-class hospital facilities and inpatient clinical space with a focus on teaching, research and evidence-based health care and design.

• Wexner Medical Center ambulatory facility: programming study continues to plan for best-of-class ambulatory facilities and clinical spaces with a focus on teaching, research and evidence-based health care and design.

“With the board’s approval, and in concert with our strategic plan, we are ready to take the next steps in Framework 2.0 by engaging design professionals to help shape the future of research, clinical care and arts on our campus,” said Keith Myers, vice president of planning and real estate.

Additionally, the university will seek initial approvals for an optometry clinic and health sciences faculty office located at 11th and Neil avenues — the first step in potential future work on the broader interdisciplinary health sciences center (read more).

“Most of the major demolition work is done. The next piece is to get the utilities in place. That includes sewer and electricity,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann.

Construction crews working on Mirror Lake have removed most of the concrete and stone liner that formed the base of the lake. Landscaping has been pared back and walkways have been cleared. The new design calls for a more natural and sustainable setting.

With a focus on safety and sustainability, the new Mirror Lake will have more plants and flowers around the edges of the water and a gradual slope into the lake. The design will help students and faculty use one of the most popular settings on campus as a learning lab.

Normal weather conditions have helped keep the project on schedule with a summer 2018 completion date expected.

The historic Mirror Lake District renovation, that includes Baker Commons, Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, aligns with the university’s campus master plan. Framework 2.0 is a long-term guiding vision that imagines transformational research and learning environments over the next decade and beyond.

Construction at Oxley Hall, the home of the Department of Linguistics, is nearing completion with the department expected to return by the end of October. Sidewalks around Oxley that had been closed for construction are now open for pedestrians.

The renovations at Pomerene Hall are taking shape. The historic building was once home to the university’s first women’s student union and includes a vintage gymnasium. It will soon be home to the History of Art Department and the new Translational Data Analytics Institute.

New windows have been installed throughout Pomerene Hall and in the dramatic glass atrium that will greet students, faculty, staff and visitors. Pomerene construction is scheduled to be complete by April 2018.

With a robust welcome, Move-in Day kicked off at The Ohio State University at the Jerome Schottenstein Center Saturday, when about 7,500 students were expected to move into residence halls. In all, some 14,000 students will live in Columbus campus residence halls this year.

Starting just as the sun was rising over campus, students and their families began a procession through the arena to get room keys and moving details. Then cars and vans loaded with luggage headed to the new homes for students before the academic year begins.

The process was highly orchestrated. Cars moved swiftly through the residence hall driveways as suitcases, televisions and personal items were swiftly unloaded and moved to rooms. For parents and students, it’s the moment when the college experience begins.

Mark Redmond, whose son Tyler is a first-year student, said the early-morning move-in was going smoothly. He said he was looking forward to helping his son get ready for college.

“I’m happy to get the opportunity to get him acclimated and settled in,” Redmond said.

About 2,000 Official Welcome Leaders aided the students. These OWLS moved in on Thursday and then turned around and helped their peers go through the same drill.

“My move-in experience was great. I had two cars full of stuff and everything got up into my room in a timely manner,” said Elyssa Bellofatto, a first-year student from Laurel, Maryland.

Bellofatto worked as an OWL aiding the moving at Smith-Steeb Hall.

“Everyone is super energetic and happy to be here so it’s really exciting that everyone is so happy to move in,” she said.

At one point, President Michael V. Drake and Senior Vice President for Student Life Javaune Adams-Gaston joined the team at Smith-Steeb. Drake posed for photos with students and their families and helped unload a few cars.

“For the students and their parents, it’s a really special day,” Drake said. “It’s one of those times where you’ve been thinking about it for years, you’ll remember it for years and it takes just a moment. It’s great to be a part of.”

Move-in Day kicks off a series of events for students during Welcome Week . The President’s Convocation and the First Year Student Welcome Event are both Monday. Classes begin Tuesday.

On July 6, the university transferred management of the central systems that heat, cool and power the Columbus campus to ENGIE Services, which will operate these systems on behalf of Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP).

OSEP is made up of ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure, companies that are world leaders in energy services and sustainability.

“This innovative public-private partnership will help us reach our long-term sustainability goals for energy and represents the largest single investment in Ohio State’s academic mission in our history,” said President Michael V. Drake.

The 50-year partnership has a total value of $1.165 billion, including a $1.015 upfront payment to the university and a $150 million commitment to support academics in specific areas requested by students, faculty and staff during the bidding process.

“Through academic collaborations with our new partner, we will create sustainable energy solutions from discoveries made here at Ohio State. Our new partner will also increase student financial aid, endow new faculty positions and invest in sustainability and staff development,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron.

The Office of Academic Affairs will engage faculty, staff and students in discussions about academic collaboration — including next steps for an endowment to advance sustainability in areas outside the scope of comprehensive energy management; sustainability curriculum and teaching and learning initiatives; and more.

These are part of a $150 million academic collaboration plan in the partnership.

The university will invest the other $1.015 billion alongside the endowment to support student financial aid; compensation enhancements for faculty and staff; investments in classrooms, labs and arts spaces; strategic initiatives; and a utility sustainability fund.

The transfer of operations will be largely unnoticeable. As was the case before the transition, any customer service requests for campus buildings will be handled by the university’s Service2Facilities group. All individual building operations will continue to be the responsibility of campus maintenance teams.

Consistent with the university’s commitment to empower employees to make the best choice for their families, ENGIE Services offered employment to all eligible Ohio State utility workers. The majority of utility employees accepted employment offers from ENGIE. Those who preferred to remain employees of the university accepted alternative positions at Ohio State at their current compensation levels.

OSEP will begin installing smart meters this year to gather building-specific data about energy use. The information will help guide the proposals for energy conservation measures throughout campus to meet Ohio State’s energy sustainability goal. An Energy Advisory Committee of students, faculty and staff representatives will be formed to review proposals for energy conservation measures, among other responsibilities.

“The smooth transition of operations sets the stage for the truly transformational benefits for our university community,” said McPheron. “Ohio State will invest in our academic core, make our campus a model of sustainability and bolster ground-breaking research that benefits our university, our community and our world.”

More information about the Comprehensive Energy Management Project is available at go.osu.edu/cemp.

The planning committee reviewed updated renderings before voting to approve a $2.5 million increase in the Mirror Lake construction project. The additional funding will come from private donations and is for overlooks at Oval Drive and Neil Avenue and other amenities around the lake.

“With the enhancements – but even without – it’s going to be a big addition,” said Keith Myers, associate vice president of Ohio State’s Office of Planning and Real Estate.

A landscape architecture firm was hired “to reimagine the lake as part of the Mirror Lake District to complement Pomerene Hall and to create more safety measures around the lake,” Myers said.

One of the goals for the new Mirror Lake is to create a more natural and sustainable lake. The stone and concrete liner that forms the base of the current lake will be removed in favor of a more natural design.

The new Mirror Lake will have more landscaping around the edges of the water and a gradual slope into the lake to make it safer. The depth of the new Mirror Lake will be about four feet and a drain will make it possible to empty the lake in an hour or less.

Myers said the design committee adhered to the most rigorous safety standards, a sentiment echoed by Trustee Alex Fischer.

“We are trying to do everything we can to maintain this iconic feature on campus while making every possible safety consideration,” said Fischer, chair of the Master Planning and Facilities Committee.

The Mirror Lake District, including Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, will be part of a modern learning environment for students and faculty in data analytics, linguistics and the history of art. Completion of Mirror Lake is expected in 2018.

A completely renovated Pomerene Hall is expected to open in a little under a year. A tour of the construction site this week reveals how the historic building will help lead Ohio State into a bold new future for research.

This month, the university announced the creation of the TDAI. Pomerene Hall will house the new institute and offer a home for the students and faculty to channel the power of Big Data as a force to do good.

Translational data analytics is using data to solve complex problems such as boosting crop production to feed famine-ravaged communities or study how violence spreads like a disease.

“These laudable goals will be achieved through scholarship and outreach in both foundational and applied areas of data science,” said TDAI’s interim executive director Raghu Machiraju. “The deployment of comprehensive and holistic solutions that includes all pillars of data science is imperative given the complex and conflicting objectives that have to be met in the aforementioned problems.”

Likely the most eye-catching feature in the new Pomerene Hall will be a three-story glass atrium that will overlook Browning Amphitheater and connect all levels of the building. Right now steel, concrete and the restored exterior of Pomerene show a work in progress.

But one can see where this is all headed. New offices in the building will have flexible spaces to allow collaborators to swiftly expand the size of a team. Quiet rooms will allow researchers to switch off the noise and focus on critical problem solving.

Pomerene Hall was once home to the university’s first women’s student union and includes an historic gymnasium. Teamwork will again fill that space when it becomes home to three state-of-the-art labs loaded with interactive displays and glass boards for working out complex problems.

These “ideation labs” and “huddle rooms” may sound like a Google-style playground for high-tech hipsters. It’s really about form serving function, TDIA managing director David Mongeau said.

Institute planners learned a lot from local tech firms and startup incubators. Moreover, they had the benefit of working with the architect and construction firm from the very beginning.

“We’ve had so much dialogue with the construction firm and the architects. The architects really got into our heads and tried to understand what we needed,” Mongeau said.

TDAI faculty members have offered input into the design of their new home.

“There’s ownership now,” Machiraju said.

Collaboration doesn’t stop with the institute’s faculty and students. Pomerene will host representatives from the Wexner Medical Center, university libraries, the Ohio Supercomputer Center and other data-rich organizations.

“This is significant because as a current staff or faculty member you have to go to those respective places to find out about the resources. There’s not a central place to go to talk to someone from each of those offices. You’ll be able to do that right here,” said TDAI project coordinator Jenna McGuire.

Pomerene Hall, which is also home to the History of Art Department, is part of a $59 million construction plan in the Mirror Lake District. It will include renovations to Oxley Hall.

The project aligns with Ohio State’s campus master plan, Framework 2.0, serving as a long-term guiding vision that imagines transformational research and learning environments over the next decade and beyond

“Framework 2.0 imagines exciting possibilities for the future of our campus,” said President Michael V. Drake, MD. “We are committed to supporting faculty, staff and students across disciplines as they work to advance knowledge and uplift communities.”

The framework is guided by five principles: collaboration, innovation, high-quality facilities, connectivity and sustainability. The university will consider five planning and programming studies at the April 7 Board of Trustees meeting:

• Interdisciplinary research building — innovative and modern environment to serve Ohio State scientists and partners in multiple disciplines; would be located in envisioned research corridor on mid-west area of campus
• Arts District at 15th Avenue and High Street — high-quality, modern learning environments for interaction across arts disciplines; would include theatre and music performance spaces while opening the university’s front door and connecting to the heart of the University District
• Health Sciences education — upgraded and flexible facilities to create a collaborative campus for interprofessional education throughout the Health Sciences disciplines
• Inpatient services — best-of-class hospital facilities and inpatient clinical space with a focus on teaching, research and evidence-based health care and design
• Outpatient services — best-of-class ambulatory facilities and clinical spaces with a focus on teaching, research and evidence-based health care and design

These planning studies are necessary to understand the fundamental elements of the potential projects, including scope and programming details, that will allow the university to develop cost estimates. Individual projects will be reviewed thoroughly at planning, design and construction phases with qualifying projects subject to board approval.

Priorities will be guided and informed by the university’s strategic plan currently being developed as well as its sustainability goals, said Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron.

“Our charge as educators is to think big and create and share new ideas,” McPheron said. “We are carefully studying what will enable Ohio State to be on the leading edge of knowledge creation and dissemination across all disciplines.”

The planning studies also envision the future of health care at Ohio State.

“It is exciting to explore how we can advance our teaching and research in the health sciences and our academic medical center,” said Sheldon M. Retchin, MD, executive vice president of health sciences and CEO of the Wexner Medical Center.

“Our goal in everything we do is to improve the experiences of our students, faculty, staff and patients — and to be at the forefront of innovations in health care.”

In other Framework 2.0 updates, construction continues in the Mirror Lake District. An advisory team of faculty, students and staff has discussed designs and education ideas. The restoration of Mirror Lake and the surrounding district, including Pomerene and Oxley halls, will return the area closer to its historical form, emphasize modern standards for sustainability and improve stormwater management and biodiversity.

Keith Myers, associate vice president of planning and real estate, reiterated the evolving nature of Framework 2.0.

“Concepts in Framework 2.0 represent a vision for potential investments,” Myers said. “We continue to work actively to explore and shape the future of higher education.”

The updated plan directs the appropriate university officials to proceed with planning consistent with the framework principles and long-term vision.

Some of the long-term concepts address creating a research corridor, creating an arts district around 15^th and High Street, a renovated Waterman Farm, several projects in the Athletics District, extending Neil Avenue to Woodruff, extending Annie & John Glenn Avenue from High Street to Cannon Drive and realigning Cannon Drive. See separate release.

Trustees also heard several presentations.

David Williams, dean of the College of Engineering, and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther presented “Smart Columbus: A Partnership in Vision, Research, and Innovation” to the Board of Trustees. The presentation highlighted the partnership between the university and the city in the $140 million Smart Cities mobility research project.

Members of the Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee heard “Research and Innovation at Ohio State in 2017,” a wide-ranging report presented by Caroline Whitacre, senior vice president for research. Two investigators gave presentations on their inter-disciplinary projects that are part of “Discovery at Ohio State,” the new term for the Discovery Themes: Elizabeth Root, professor of geography and public health, who just joined the university in the translational data analytics area, and Steven A. Ringel, the Neal Smith Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and executive director of the Institute for Materials Research, who delivered a report on “Materials Research and Innovation.”

Committee members also heard a report on “The Study on Collegiate Financial Wellness: Applying Research to the Student Experience,”presented by Anne McDaniel, interim executive director of the Center for the Study of Student Life, and Catherine Montalto, associate professor of consumer sciences.

In other business, the board approved a variety of personnel, fiscal and construction-related university matters.

Construction contracts approved

The board authorized the university to enter into professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

• 700 Ackerman - Wexner Medical Center Operations Center. The project will renovate 700 Ackerman to house OSU Physicians, Central Scheduling and Customer Service, Health Plan, Corporate Operations and Hospital Compliance and also includes interior renovations in 660 and 600 Ackerman. Trustees approved professional services contracts of $2.5 million. Total project budget is $21.8 million to be provided by university auxiliary funds.
• Wooster - New Laboratory Building. The project will replace facilities that are beyond their useful life, providing a new home for entomology research as well as teaching labs and classroom spaces. It also includes renovated dining service and mechanical infrastructure. Trustees approved professional services contracts of $3.5 million. Total project cost is expected to be up to $33.5 million to be provided by university and state funds.
• Athletics District new road and storm water plan. The project will complete a new road between Fred Taylor Drive and Olentangy River Road and implement a storm water detention plan for the entire Athletics District. Trustees approved professional service contracts of $600,000 and construction contracts of $6.9 million. Total project cost is $7.5 million to be provided by auxiliary and university funds.
• Transportation Plan Implementation. The project will construct and improve parking facilities to enable the Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 1 project. Improvements include expanded surface parking lots; bus shelters and bus access road improvements; intersection and signal improvements and a transit hub on Herrick Drive. Trustees approved entering into professional services contracts of $3.3 million and construction contracts of $13.2 million. Total project cost is $16.5 million to be provided by auxiliary funds
• Lima Campus - new student life building. The project will construct a new student life building on the Lima campus, including spaces for fitness and wellness programs; a multi-purpose room; grab-and-go dining concept, dining and lounge zones; study spaces and group study rooms. Trustees approved increases of $800,000 in construction contracts and $200,000 in professional services contracts. Total project budget is $5.2 million to be provided by development, university and state funds.
• Brain and Spine Hospital - 7th floor. The project will renovate the seventh floor of the Brain and Spine Hospital to add 29 in-patient beds, nursing cores and support areas. The board approved entering into a $4.6 million construction contract. Total project budget is $5.1 million to be provided by auxiliary funds
• Airport Enhancements - Phase 2. The first phase of the project constructed four new t-hangar buildings, adding 58 bays of new space to the existing 50 bays. This next phase includes design and construction of a Flight Education Center for Aviation Studies space, field base operation and airport terminal, airport administration space, hangars, and site and utility improvements. Trustees approved entering into a $13.4 million Phase 2 construction contract. Total project budget is $20 million to be provided by development and university funds.
• Wexner Medical Center - 72-bed build out. The project builds out shelled space on the 10th and 12th floors of the tower to add 72 patient beds. Trustees approved entering into construction contracts of $55 million. Total project cost is $60 million to be provided by auxiliary funds.

New golf course fees approved

The board approved golf course membership dues and fees for calendar year 2017. Daily greens fees will remain the same as last year and annual membership dues for alumni, affiliates, faculty/staff and students will increase by 6 percent.

Voluntary separation incentive program approved

The board authorized the Office of Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of Legal Affairs, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Office of Business & Finance, to establish voluntary separation incentive programs (VSIPs).

VSIPs are intended to be used on an as-needed and time-limited basis for eligible employees who hold regular appointments, and only for colleges and units where actual needs exist to gain efficiency or meet strategic and operational goals.

The VSIPs are designed to address work force planning factors within various college and administrative units while providing more flexible programs to facilitate positive changes in administrative streamlining.

Personnel actions approved
The board approved the following personnel appointments and reappointments:

• Darwin L. Conwell has been appointed professor-clinical and holder of the Dr. Floyd M. Beman Chair Fund in Gastroenterology in the College of Medicine effective Nov. 1, 2016 through Oct. 31, 2020
• Ray E. Hershberger has been appointed professor and holder of The Charles Austin Doan Chair of Medicine in the College of Medicine effective Nov. 1, 2016 through Oct. 31, 2020
• John M. Horack has been appointed professor and holder of The Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy in the College of Engineering and John Glenn College of Public Affairs effective Sept. 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021
• Raphael E. Pollock has been appointed professor and holder of The Kathleen Wellenreiter Klotz Chair in Cancer Research in the College of Medicine effective Nov. 1, 2016 through Oct. 31, 2019
• Sharon J. Tucker has been appointed professor and holder of The Grayce M. Sills Professorship in the College of Nursing effective Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2021
• W.C. Benton has been reappointed professor and holder of The Edwin D. Dodd Professorship in Management in the Max M. Fisher College of Business effective Oct. 1, 2016 through Aug. 31, 2021
• Gail E. Besner has been reappointed professor and holder of the H. William Clatworthy, Jr., Professorship in Pediatric Surgery in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
• David P. Carbone has been reappointed professor and the Barbara J. Bonner Chair in Lung Cancer Research in the College of Medicine effective Oct. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2020

• E. Christopher Ellison has been reappointed vice dean of clinical affairs and senior associate vice president of health sciences in the College of Medicine, chief executive officer of the Faculty Group Practice and president of Ohio State University Physicians, Inc., effective Nov. 1, 2016 through Oct. 31, 2017

• Michael R. Grever has been reappointed professor and holder of The Bertha Bouroncle, M.D. and Andrew Pereny Chair of Medicine in the College of Medicine effective Oct. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2020
• Janice Kiecolt-Glaser has been reappointed professor and holder of The S. Robert Davis Chair of Medicine in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
• Gustavo W. Leone has been reappointed professor and holder of The Klotz Chair in Cancer Research in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
• Jianjie Ma has been reappointed professor and holder of The Karl P. Klassen Chair of Thoracic Surgery in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
• Thomas F. Mauger has been reappointed professor and holder of The Carl M. and Grace C. Baldwin Chair in Ophthalmology in the College of Medicine effective Oct. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2020
• Ali R. Rezai has been reappointed professor and holder of The Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross Chair in Neuromodulation in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
• Theodoros N. Teknos has been reappointed professor and holder of The David E. Schuller, M.D. and Carole Schuller Chair in Otolaryngology in the College of Medicine effective Aug. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2020
• Peter T. Ward has been reappointed professor and The Richard M. Ross Chair in Management in the Max M. Fisher College of Business effective Sept. 1, 2016 through Aug. 31, 2021
• Julia R. White has been reappointed professor and holder of The Klotz Sisters Chair in Cancer Research in the College of Medicine effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020
  

Foundation report accepted

The board accepted the Ohio State University Foundation report as of Dec. 31, 2016, which includes the establishment of the Neil A. Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy, the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Endowed Chair of Art History, the Roy Lichtenstein Endowed Chair of Studio Art, The Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Endowed Professorship of Arts Management, the Ric Dillon Endowed Professorship in Investments, The Lynne Shepard Jones Endowed Professorship in Head and Neck Oncology, and the Wolfe Associates Inc. Endowed Professorship in Canine Clinical and Comparative Medicine; and one new endowed fund as part of the Ohio Scholarship Challenge providing $13 million in private support to the university.

Student life building named

The board approved the naming of the student life building at The Ohio State University at Lima as the Perry Webb Student Life building in recognition of Webb’s instrumental support for the establishment of the Lima campus, including his fundraising efforts to purchase the land for the campus’s first building in 1965.

Hall named

Trustees approved the naming of the Technical Education Center at The Ohio State University at Marion as Bryson Hall in recognition of Dr. J. Richard Bryson, who retired after serving as president of Marion Technical College for 42 years.

Lobby named

The board approved the naming of the emergency and community practice lobby of the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) Hummel and Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals as The Jane, Lily, and Bubba Shackelford Lobby. The naming recognizes support and contributions from Don and Teckie Shackelford to the university and the VMC enhancement and expansion project and in honor of their dogs Jane, Lily and Bubba, and the care and treatment the dogs received at the VMC.

Living room named

Trustees approved naming the living room in the lobby of the VMC Hummel and Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals the Ron and Glenna Chidester living room in recognition of the Chidesters significant contributions to the VMC enhancement and expansion project and in honor of their dogs Bebe, Tina and Jazz and the care and treatment the dogs received at the VMC.

Hospital for Companion Animals internal spaces named

The board approved the naming of internal spaces within the new VMC Hummel and Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals and Clinical Office Building in recognition of donors who have provided significant contributions to support the new facility:

• Room A121 – The Dr. Irving Kuhn and Paul Harcourt Faculty Office
• Room 1163 – The Dr. Gilbert and Susan Cloyd Radiology Learning Conference Room
• Room 1079C – The Dr. Roger Hart Conference Room
• Room 1019 – The Leonard and Margaret Riggs Exam Room
• Room 1001 – Tara’s Exam Room
• Room 1024 – The Dr. Allen Wolff Exam Room

College of Optometry spaces named

The board approved the naming of spaces in the pre-clinical and pediatric and low vision clinic in Fry Hall in recognition of donors who have provided significant contributions to the College of Optometry:

• Room 150 – The James C. Bieber, O.D., in Honor of Janet P. Bieber Pediatric Examination Room
• Room 158 – The Galloway Eye Care Pediatric Examination Room
• Room 159 – The Optometric Educators, Inc. Binocular Vision and Pediatrics Consultation Room
• Room 214 – The Drs. Randal and Mary Lynne Blevins Examination Room
• Room 216 – The Episcotisters 1977 Examination Room
• Room 225 – The Dr. Chris Woodruff and Dr. Heidi Wagner Examination Room

Sports facility named

The board approved the naming of the multisport facility to be constructed on Fred Taylor Drive as the Covelli Center in recognition of the generosity of Caryn and Sam Covelli and their gift to support the construction of the new facility.

Dental clinic named

The board approved naming the dental clinic in the Nisonger Center as the Glenn O. Woodward Dental Suite in recognition of significant contributions to the Nisonger Center Dental Program from the Anna L. Woodward Trust.

Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute and Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital spaces named

The board approved the naming of an internal spaces within the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute and a room number change for a named space in the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital:

• Second Floor – The Mark and Sunny Masser Family Executive Director’s Office (Sports Medicine Institute)
• Room H5007B – The William H. & Dorothea N. Hadler Consultation Room (previously H5209) (Ross Heart Hospital)

Amendments to procedure for compensation setting and review approved

Trustees approved the amended and restated Procedure for Setting and Reviewing Compensation for University Executives.

The procedure was first approved in 2015 and has been amended twice since then.

The changes outline frequency and scope of authority for setting and reviewing total compensation for the president and other executives of the university and medical center.

Charter trustee reappointed

Trustees approved the reappointment of Alan VanderMolen as a charter trustee to the board for a three-year term, beginning on Feb. 1, 2017.

Board of Trustees committee appointments approved
The board approved the appointment of members to the following committees for 2017-18:

Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee:

Linda S. Kass, chair

Cheryl L. Krueger, vice chair

Janet B. Reid

Clark C. Kellogg

Timothy P. Smucker

Erin P. Hoeflinger

Abigail S. Wexner

Hiroyuki Fujita

Lydia A. Lancaster

James D. Klingbeil

Richard K. Herrmann(faculty member)

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Finance Committee:

Michael J. Gasser, chair

Brent R. Porteus, vice chair

W. G. “Jerry” Jurgensen

Jeffrey Wadsworth

Alexander R. Fischer

Halie M. Vilagi

Corbett A. Price

Alan VanderMolen

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Advancement Committee:

Erin P. Hoeflinger, chair

Alan VanderMolen, vice chair

Linda S. Kass

Clark C. Kellogg

Cheryl L. Krueger

Brent R. Porteus

Alexander R. Fischer

Abigail S. Wexner

Halie M. Vilagi

Corbett A. Price

Nancy J. Kramer

Craig S. Bahner

Barbara J. Tootle (Alumni Association member)

Georgeanne M. Shockey (Alumni Association member)

James F. Dietz (Foundation Board member)

Gifford Weary (Foundation Board member)

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Audit and Compliance Committee:

Timothy P. Smucker, chair

W. G. “Jerry” Jurgensen, vice chair

Michael J. Gasser

Jeffrey Wadsworth

Hiroyuki Fujita

Lydia A. Lancaster

James D. Klingbeil

Lawrence A. Hilsheimer

Amy Chronis

Craig S. Morford

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Governance Committee:

Janet B. Reid, chair

Timothy P. Smucker, vice chair

Linda S. Kass

Erin P. Hoeflinger

Hiroyuki Fujita

Halie M. Vilagi

Alan VanderMolen

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Talent and Compensation Committee:

W. G. “Jerry” Jurgensen, chair

Janet B. Reid, vice chair

Michael J. Gasser

Erin P. Hoeflinger

Halie M. Vilagi

Corbett A. Price

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Master Planning and Facilities:

Alexander R. Fischer, chair

James D. Klingbeil, vice chair

Brent R. Porteus

Lydia A. Lancaster

Robert H. Schottenstein

Alex Shumate (ex officio)

Delegation of authority approved

The board authorized the senior vice president for talent, culture and human resources to administer The Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan, The Ohio State University 403(b) Retirement Plan, The Ohio State University Amended and Restated 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan, The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan II, The Ohio State University Supplemental 415(m) Retirement Plan and The Ohio State University Supplemental 415(m) Retirement Plan II, each as amended and/or restated from time to time.

Property acquisitions approved

The board approved the purchase of 2.69 acres of real property adjacent to University Hospital East bounded by Hawthorne Avenue, Hughes Street, Phale D. Hale Drive, and the planned extension of Winner Avenue to support future hospital expansion and/or facility replacement.

The land is owned by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. Costs associated with the acquisition of the property, maintenance and repairs, and any improvements will be provided by the Wexner Medical Center.

The board also approved the purchase of 700 Ackerman Road from Medstone Realty Company for $8.75 million. The Wexner Medical Center plans to renovate the six-story office building to house OSU Physicians, Central Scheduling and Customer Service, the OSU Health Plan, Corporate Operations and Hospital Compliance. Medstone Realty is a wholly owned subsidiary of Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment, an affiliated entity of the university.

Property sale authorized

The board revised a November 2015 resolution approving the sale of .47 acres of property behind the Lennox Station shopping center on Olentangy River Road. The property to be sold has been reduced to .055 acres because the remainder of the property is subject to restrictions and encumbrances that prohibit its sale.

Easement granted

Trustees approved a roadway easement of .8 acres to the City of Newark to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Sharon Valley Road and Evans Boulevard.

The consideration for the easement is $1.

Joint use agreements approved

The board approved a resolution to enter into a joint use agreement for a minimum of 20 years with Edison Welding Institute, Inc. (EWI), to use equipment purchased by EWI for its Forming Center on Arthur Adams Drive. In its 2017 State Capital Bill, the state allocated $1.5 million to EWI to acquire the equipment.

The board also approved a resolution to enter into a joint use agreement with the Ohio Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Center Inc. (OEAMC), for a minimum of 20 years to use equipment purchased by OEAMC for the optimum operation of its High Velocity Metal Forming Commercialization Center in Lima. The OEAMC has committed to making this equipment available for the university’s use for a minimum of 180 hours per year. In its 2017 State Capital Bill, the state allocated $400,000 to OEAMC to acquire the equipment.

Distinguished Service Awards approvedTrustees approved the university’s Distinguished Service Award recipients, who will receive their award Spring 2017. They are:

• Lucy Caswell
• Richard Stoddard

Resolutions in memoriam approved

The board adopted resolutions in memoriam for the following persons:

• Gordon J. Aubrecht, II, professor emeritus of physics, who died on Nov. 21, 2016
• Mary K. Beyrer, professor emerita and retired administrator of health education, who died on May 22, 2016
• Vera J. Blaine, professor and chair emerita of dance, who died on Dec. 26, 2016
• Caroletta Dalton Curtis, associate professor emerita of social work, who died on Oct. 12, 2016
• Paul Dale Evans, professor emeritus of economics, who died on Dec. 15, 2016
• Donald L. Haefele, professor emeritus of educational policy and leadership, who died on Nov. 3, 2016
• William “Bill” L. Ingalls, professor emeritus of veterinary preventive medicine, who died on Dec. 24, 2016
• Douglas E. McGinnis, professor emeritus and director of bands emeritus, who died on Oct. 28, 2016
• Steven Reiss, professor emeritus of psychology, who died on Oct. 28, 2016
• David Yashon, professor emeritus of neurosurgery, who died on Nov. 21, 2016

The construction at Pomerene and neighboring Oxley Hall is part of the Mirror Lake District renovation project. The goal is to take part of campus history and restore it rather than start over.

“We’re taking a building from the 1920s and we’re updating it for a modern mission,” said Ruth Miller, senior project manager with Ohio State’s Facilities Operations and Development Design and Construction team.

When it was built in 1922, Pomerene used to serve as the women’s student union. After the current construction is completed, the building will house Ohio State’s data analytics program. The renovation requires a meticulous approach.

Ornamental plaster ceilings run throughout the building, so does hand crafted woodwork. Construction crews are working around the historic fixtures with great care.

In one room, an old gymnasium is being refurbished to house new offices. Sheets of plywood protect an antique gym floor that will be kept intact and refinished as the construction continues.

Handcrafted woodwork will remain

The renovation will mean new light fixtures, new electric and new Wi-Fi. Historic brickwork will be repaired. Windows and doors will be more energy efficient. But history will be preserved.

“Inside the building you can see great craftsmanship from almost 100 years ago,” Miller said. “We’re taking the time to make sure as much of the natural building remains when it’s finished.”

The $59 million renovation to Pomerene and Oxley is part of a long range plan to re-develop the Mirror Lake District. It will include renovations to Mirror Lake as well as Browning Amphitheatre.

“As we approach the 150th anniversary of Ohio State’s founding, our plans have been carefully developed with input from the university community to restore the lake and its environs to its original serene habitat with a focus on sustainability and safety,” said Keith Myers, associate vice president of planning and real estate.

Renovations began in October and is expected to last 14 months.

This week, students, staff and faculty discussed how this historic area could serve as a classroom and laboratory of the future. Two workshops at The Ohio State University Faculty Club focused on how the new Mirror Lake area could be used for academic purposes.

“The change we are making is bringing [Mirror Lake] back to its natural roots,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann, who helped lead the conversation.

The meetings come as the university Board of Trustees approved about $6 million to fund the restoration of Mirror Lake and the surrounding district.

The district, including Browning Amphitheater and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, is being renovated to create modern learning environments for students and faculty in data analytics, linguistics and the history of art – while keeping the character and history of this iconic part of campus.

Much of the discussion among faculty and students focused on what that environment will look like.

“I’d like to see more natural plants,” said Haley Ingram, a graduate student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. “It’s important to have native species. If they are planted and maintained well, it reduces the opportunity for invasives.”

Others in the work groups suggested Browning Amphitheater could be used as a classroom. Better Wi-Fi and charging stations in the area could help make that idea a reality. New signage to highlight the history of the area was also discussed.

Students suggested water sampling and other experiments could be a regular part of the new Mirror Lake. Current designs call for more landscaping and a more natural design for the lake. The concrete and stone façade is already being excavated.

“We want to see something that’s not artificially supported and becomes self-sustaining,” said Jason Kentner, associate professor of practice in landscape architecture at the Knowlton School of Architecture.

Construction crews continue the work to clean up Mirror Lake and renovate parts of Pomerene Hall. Renovations are expected to be finished in 2018.

Ohio State’s Board of Trustees will consider several new construction projects next week when it meets for November’s session. Highlighting the projects are the relocation of Cannon Drive, renovations to the iconic Ohio Stadium and a new multi-sport arena.

Ohio State is seeking approval on $31.2 million for construction on the $51.5 million Cannon Drive relocation project, which is a partnership with the city of Columbus. The project will straighten the road between King Avenue and Herrick Drive and will protect the university from a historic flood and open up approximately 12 acres of developable land. The university is sharing costs with the city of Columbus. Parking plans at the medical center related to the project are still under development.

Cannon Drive is just one part of the agenda. Planning efficiencies and cost-savings highlight the docket with several Athletics projects returning for construction approval after months of productive planning scrutiny.

“Following a thorough evaluation of budget, scope and programming, these projects are now better suited to meet the needs of users and grow the district in an innovative fashion,” said Trustee and head of the Master Planning and Facilities Committee Alex Fischer. “The process of evaluating each project individually and within the context of broader Department of Athletics and university goals, helped identify program synergies, cost savings and efficiencies. I applaud the hard work that led to this outcome.”

In April 2016, Ohio Stadium received approval for professional services, including design, and will seek construction approval for a $39 million make-over – a savings of $2.5 million from its original price tag. Look for the aging concrete on C-deck to get a facelift and for new suites and boxes for Buckeye fans. The work to refurbish the stadium should be finished in time for kick-off in 2020.

“Ohio Stadium is the crown jewel of our athletic operations,” said Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-endowed athletics director. “These renovations will improve the fan experience and continue to make it one of the best facilities in the nation.”

Fans are also part of the consideration for renovations to the Schottenstein Center which picked up $500,000 in savings through program efficiencies. Pending Board of Trustees approval, Ohio State plans for $31.5 million in renovations to the home of the basketball Buckeyes. The construction will expand the concourse and add more natural light to the building while also improving access to ticket offices and to the team store. Construction should take a year and be finished in February 2018.

Renovations are planned to the north side of the Schottenstein Center.

The site of the Covelli Multi-Sport Arena moves from the corner of Fred Taylor Drive and Ackerman Road to north of Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium and will be combined with the Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility. The $49.7 million project, scheduled for completion in 2019, includes a 3,700-seat arena which will serve as the home for the Men’s and Women’s Varsity Volleyball teams as well as the competition site for Men’s and Women’s Fencing, Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics and Men’s Wrestling.

The Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility will include five practice mats, coaches offices and support spaces. Combining two former stand-alone buildings allows for efficiency in design and construction. The users will also benefit from proximity to other athletics facilities.

“Innovation and creative planning helped find a new opportunity for the Covelli Multi-Sport/Jennings Family Wrestling Facility,” said Fischer. “Combining the arena and the practice facility will ultimately realize a cost savings on both projects.”

And there is a plan to spend $43 million for construction on the Schumaker Student-Athlete Development Center. The project will replace the existing Biggs Facility to the west of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The new facility will include a state-of-the-art athletic training center and athletic offices to serve about 800 student-athletes.

Artist rendering of Schumaker Student-Athlete Development Center.

All of the athletics construction projects are self-funded through fundraising and athletics revenue.

In addition to the athletics projects, the board will consider:

• About $6 million to support the restoration of Mirror Lake and the surrounding district. The overall Mirror Lake District, including Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, is being renovated to create modern learning environments for students and faculty in data analytics, linguistics and the history of art – while retaining its significance, ambience and appearance as an early and iconic area of campus.
• $700,000 for design work for an expansion of Ohio State Veterinary Hospital. The $7 million project includes a new clinical skills lab and space for future expansion.
• Bricker Hall is in line for a $5 million investment for heating and air conditioning repairs as well as replacing the plaster ceilings on the third floor.

The academic projects are funded through a mix of auxiliary funds, university funds and debt.

The construction projects to be considered by the trustees are the latest in a series of historic investments by the university to support the core academic mission.

That mission includes the recently completed North Residential District Transformation. The $371 million project added 3,200 beds and 10 new buildings for student living.

A $31.6 million investment in Sullivant Hall renovated the cornerstone of the university’s arts district. Those renovations were finished in 2014 and created a new home for the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library Museum.

And a $32 million expansion to the Veterinary Medical Center in 2014 added a new intensive care unit and new surgery suites.

So what about the ducks? Be it the famed Afroduck or just a minor mallard, the ducks at Mirror Lake are part of the charm.

But with a major renovation underway to make the Mirror Lake district safer and more sustainable, questions about the fate of the ducks are coming up.

“Are the ducks going to still be there? That’s the most important thing,” said David Chen, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. “I like seeing the ducks when I walk by.”

Aluminum fences now surround the pond and the water has been drained. It’s expected to take 18 months for the Mirror Lake project to be completed.

In the meantime, the ducks that have called Mirror Lake home will have to find a new place to live.

But experts say that’s not a challenge. When the food dries up, they move on.

If there are stragglers, the Ohio State University has a plan for them as well.

“Any ducks that do not relocate will be moved to an appropriate environment for their own well-being,” said Lynn Readey, associate vice president, Facilities Operations and Development. “The university contracts with a specialized wildlife management firm to handle the relocation.”

The restoration is supposed to return Mirror Lake to a more natural state – closer to its historical form. That means cutting out the chemical treatment of the water and boosting the biodiversity.

When the renovations are finished and the water to the lake is flowing again, it’s expected the ducks will return home.

As for the new Afroduck, it appears he has moved on.

In November 2013, the university began exploring ways to make the lake more sustainable. A series of modifications over many decades had resulted in a body of water that was both polluted and leaking, requiring consistent maintenance and creating thousands of gallons of waste water daily.

The restoration announced today will return Mirror Lake to a more natural and sustainable state — closer to its historical form — while emphasizing improved stormwater management, reducing chemical water treatments, increasing overall biodiversity, and more.

The overall Mirror Lake District, including Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, is being renovated to create modern learning environments for students and faculty in data analytics, linguistics and the history of art — while retaining its significance, ambience and appearance as an early and iconic area of campus. The experience of walking through the district will be much the same as it would have been throughout the past century, but the facilities will be upgraded dramatically to 21st century standards for safety, sustainability and functionality. During the first phase of this project, which began last spring, Baker Commons was renovated to house the Office of Student Life’s disability services.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity to advance our academic mission while connecting our campus's past with a vision for a sustainable future,” said Bruce A. McPheron, executive vice president and provost. “The project is the culmination of years of work, and we appreciate the involvement and input from hundreds of members of the university community.”

The current restoration process begins this week with spring of 2018 targeted for a grand re-opening of the historic district. Design renderings, along with a photograph of the lake in its original form, can be viewed below:

Historic Mirror Lake

After the 2013 Mirror Lake sustainability study, a spring 2014 design charrette with active participation from students, faculty and staff recommended interim sustainability efforts — including sourcing from ground water wells, which will continue in the current renovation.

The charrette was followed by an open house at which approximately 200 members of the campus community reviewed and provided input on the concepts. An online survey conducted to gather further input received more than 300 additional suggestions and recommendations. The combined results strongly favored a concept that returned Mirror Lake to its natural state.

That effort served as the basis for the current plan, which was combined with long-planned and extensive renovations to buildings and locations in the district bordering Neil Avenue, including Baker Commons, Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls.

The restoration also supports the university’s compelling interest, shared by student leaders, in seeing the recent practice of a Mirror Lake jump ended.

The ducks at Mirror Lake are expected to relocate on their own when the lake undergoes renovation. Any ducks that do not relocate will be moved to an appropriate environment for their own well-being. The university contracts with a specialized wildlife management firm to handle the relocation. The goal of the relocation is to ensure that the ducks are in the appropriate environment while renovations are under way.

Said Keith Myers, associate vice president of planning and real estate: “Mirror Lake is an important historic campus landmark that evokes the pride we all feel as Buckeyes.

“As we approach the 150th anniversary of Ohio State’s founding, our plans have been carefully developed with input from the university community to restore the lake and its environs to its original serene habitat with a focus on sustainability and safety — all while retaining its status as one of our most beautiful, most-loved features of the campus.”

Ohio State beat its conference rivals by using more than 123 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 20 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage, as well as demonstrating the university’s commitment to support renewable energy alternatives and help users reduce their carbon footprints.

It is part of Ohio State’s continued efforts to advance sustainability across campus and throughout the community, including strategic sustainability goals developed by faculty, staff and students that are designed to enhance and expand policies, operations and practices.

“Ohio State is committed to implementing specific, university-wide operational goals to achieve our objective of carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Kate Bartter, director of the Office of Energy and Environment. “Through the use of wind and solar power for electricity and geothermal for heating and cooling, we are moving Ohio State forward in our shared mission.”

Ohio State's green power use is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 11,300 average American homes annually, according to the U.S. EPA. Additionally, the Big Ten Conference’s collective green power use of 413,987,790 kWh is equivalent to the electricity use of 37,870 average American homes.

“EPA applauds Ohio State for its commitment to using green power and for taking a leadership position on the environment,” said James Critchfield, manager of the Green Power Partnership. “Ohio State is helping to reduce carbon pollution and provides an excellent example for other higher educational institutions to invest in environmental progress.”

Ohio State also is one of six Big Ten schools recognized by the EPA as 2015-2016 Collective Conference Champions for using green power. Since April 2006, EPA’s Green Power Partnership has tracked and recognized the collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power use.

In the 2015-16 challenge, the 41 collegiate conferences and 94 schools competing collectively used nearly 2.5 billion kWh of green power. EPA will restart the 11th season of the College & University Green Power Challenge in the fall of 2016 and conclude in the spring of 2017.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with electricity use. The partnership currently has nearly 1,400 partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/greenpower. For more information about EPA’s College and University Green Power Challenge, visit the challenge website at https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/college-and-university-challenge.

The Advancement Committee of the university’s Board of Trustees voted today to rename 17^th Avenue to “Annie & John Glenn Avenue.” The full board will vote on the resolution Friday.

John and Annie Glenn were present for the historic vote and received a standing ovation.

“While this is a great honor, that’s not what is most important,” John Glenn told trustees Thursday. “Maybe some student will see the sign that’s named after us and realize a lot of things come down the road. With their experiences at Ohio State, they can make the most of those opportunities.”

The renaming applies to the stretch of 17^th Avenue between Tuttle Park Place to the west and College Road to the east. The university will install new signage on Friday afternoon.

The Glenns have strong connections to Ohio State. Most recently, trustees established the John Glenn College of Public Affairs in January 2015. The college began as the John Glenn School of Public Policy in 2006 when the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy merged with the School of Public Policy and Management.

The institute was founded in 1999, when Glenn donated his papers and memorabilia to Ohio State. The materials document his career as a military aviator, NASA astronaut and businessman, as well as his service as a U.S. senator from 1975 to 1999.

Annie Glenn is an adjunct professor with Ohio State’s Speech Pathology Department. In 2009, the university awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Public Service to recognize her work on the behalf of children and others. The department awards the “Annie Glenn Leadership Award” annually to someone who has displayed innovative and inspirational work in speech/language pathology.

“There are few who better represent the intersection of service, learning and dedication to their community, their state and their country,” said Ohio State President Michael V. Drake. To the Glenns, Drake said, “Your love for each other and your passion for the country and our community is an inspiration, and everyone who walks, rides or drives through campus each day will be reminded of your remarkable contributions.”