Miami University Trustees OK $13 Million In Construction, Increases In Room And Board

BY RACHEL BRADY
Miami University journalism student

The Miami University Board of Trustees today moved forward on construction funding and voted to increase room and board rates by up to 3.5 percent for some students.

Board member Mark Ridenour and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services David Creamer presented four measures to the board, during its final meeting of the year.

• The trustees endorsed spending not more than $9.5 million for the second phase of renovations at Shriver Center. The renovation -- taking place between next August and May 2018 -- will include space for a new package and mail center, bookstore modifications, the relocation of the learning assistance and disabilities offices, changes to the main entrance and driveway, and upgrades of the Dolibois Room and former 1809 Room.
• The trustees voted to allocate up to $3.5 million to renovate the lower level of the Campus Avenue Building. The renovation, to be completed by this February, will allocate space for the University Communications and Marketing offices as well as for the Housing Options, Meals and Events (HOME) offices.
• The board OK'd increases, for next school year, of roughly 2 to 3.5 percent in room and board costs for the Miami class of 2021. Room and board will go up the same amount for current sophomores and juniors. This year's entering students locked in their annual tuition, room and board costs under Miami's new Tuition Promise plan. "While the price increases this year are larger than they were the last several years," said Ridenour, "this is due to wage improvements for many of the hourly staff that support the housing and dining operations."
• The board decided to suspend a planned price increase for the Professional MBA Program at Miami. The price increase from $1,050 to $1,150 will now take effect in the fall of 2018 cohort.

Diversity task force

Associate Vice President of Institutional Diversity Ronald Scott spoke on behalf of the Diversity Task Force about a pending university-wide policy statement on the educational value of diversity and inclusion.

"It is important that this document is precise enough that everyone will understand why Miami values diversity and what that means," said Scott. "We are setting the ground work for where the university will go from this point forward."

A final draft of this policy is expected to be presented to the board at their next meeting, set for Feb. 17.

President's address

Miami President Gregory Crawford addressed the recent posting of flyers around campus that promoted a pro-white, anti-gay message and website. Crawford reiterated that this incident is in opposition to Miami's Code of Love and Honor.

"Miami leadership stands united in condemning this," he told trustees.

In recent weeks, Miami demonstrated its commitment to inclusion and diversity with the Dear World event, Bridges program and World AIDS Day, Crawford noted.

"We cannot prevent bias and bigotry when it does happen on this campus," he said, "but we will not let it define or discourage us. We have the backs of our students always."

Crawford also highlighted some other recent university achievements. Among them: Miami was ranked as the No. 1 public university by the Institute of International Education for its percentage of students who study abroad by the time of graduation. Additionally, he announced that the retention rate has reached its highest number in 25 years.

"I've been on the job for about five months now," he said. "Renate (Crawford) and I are just so happy to be at this extraordinary institution."

Athletic achievement

In other action, the board recognized the men's football team and women's volleyball teams for their exceptional seasons this year. The football team began its season 0-6, and finished 6-6 -- winning a spot in the St. Petersburg Bowl in Florida against Mississippi State on Dec. 26.

The women's volleyball team also had great success this season, breaking a winning streak held by the Miami volleyball squad of 1980. The new record to beat is a 20-game winning streak which assisted in securing Miami a MAC Championship and an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament during this season.

Photo: The Miami University Board of Trustees' next meetings will be Feb. 18-19. -- Contributed photo.