BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After spending millions building academic halls, the University of Cincinnati is focusing on atmosphere and services.
University leaders have spent years working toward a "master plan" for the main campus, adding research centers and grassy commons. A survey outlined the school's latest effort for the UC Board of Trustees on Tuesday: Improving the quality of campus life. Some of the ideas: An overhaul of the Tangeman University Center, improving housing on and around campus, creating a one-stop student services center, developing a "Main Street" running diagonally through campus, and building a recreation center.
"These all go back to quality of life for the student," said Mitchel Livingston, UC vice president for student affairs and human resources.
When asked if costs for such projects, likely to be funded with student fees, would put a hardship on students, Mr. Livingston responded that the university could pay a heavier price for neglecting students' needs.
In the last year, the number of people who applied to UC rose 11 percent above the year before. Despite all the investments in academics, the percentage of those who actually enrolled remained flat, Mr. Livingston said.
The difference was not the result of any major change in enrollment requirements. It was because students changed their minds once they visited UC's campus and the campuses of its competitors, he said.
"That's 11 percent who walked away from us," Mr. Livingston said.
The survey of about 6,000 students and staff, prepared by the firm Brailsford & Dunlavey, found about two-thirds supported raising fees for the recreation center and remodeling or building of a new student union.
More than 20,000 of UC's students participate in intramural sports, but there are not enough facilities on campus for them, said Greg Hand, university spokesman.
The survey found nearly 30 percent of the students pay for off-campus health club memberships.
A new services center would combine programs such as admissions and scheduling into one location, Mr. Hand said. Now, they are spread throughout campus in about five spots. The plan also said the Tangeman center is outdated and needs a major overhaul to include things such as computer labs, meeting spaces and a centralized food court. If the new projects are completed, it is suggested most of them be built along a path to be developed running northeast through the campus, creating a sort of "Main Street." The goal is to improve the academic atmosphere of the campus by keeping more students on campus, Mr. Livingston said.
