Holbrook sets tone for presidency

New president eager to move forward

By Joni Bentz Seal, onCAMPUS staff

Improving the University's U.S. News & World Report rankings and clearly defining Ohio State's contribution to the state economy were focal points of President Karen A. Holbrook's first official address to the Board of Trustees on Oct. 4.

"We need to boost our rankings, because they reflect the quality of our academic improvement within this institution, and we need to demonstrate that the value of The Ohio State University -- and of all the state universities -- is unparalleled, and deserves the trust and support of all of our constituencies,"Holbrook said.

While many rankings are used to assess a university's position in specific disciplines, programs and activities, Holbrook called the U.S. News rankings "a national benchmark of our reputational success"that is the "most visible externally."She acknowledged disagreement about the importance of rankings such as those by U.S. News & World Report, because some deem the measurements to be highly subjective.

"Institutions that do well take pride in U.S. News rankings and take them seriously, while those who rank poorly or not at all call them subjective or criticize the methodology,"Holbrook said. "Whether we like it or not, they do count. They count with parents, they count with students, and they also count with our academic peers."

But Holbrook suggested it's not just the rankings that are important, but the criteria used to determine the rankings and serve as measures of what Ohio State is doing with its students.

"Improving how we perform in each criterion within the institution will improve our standings in each of those measures, which will, in turn, move us up in the rankings nationally,"she said.

Where we are today

Holbrook cited two Ohio State initiatives that were recognized in U.S. News as programs that lead to student success: The First-Year Experience, which ranked 7th in the nation, and the Living-Learning Program, which ranked 18th and serves as a successful model of personalized education for students.

U.S. News considers Ohio State among the nation's top 25 public institutions -- 24th this year -- but does not include the University among the Top 50 public and private schools overall, known as the first tier.

"While attaining placement in the first tier -- and ideally in the top 10 -- may sound like an aggressive goal, the groundwork has already been laid to move Ohio State closer to other Big 10 colleges in the top tier and closer to our benchmark institutions,"Holbrook said. "Through the Academic Plan, Ohio State is positioned -- and is already making progress -- toward improving the areas that will strengthen our institution not only internally, but externally,"she said.

Holbrook outlined key categories that will elevate the University into the top tier -- some of them needing improvement: freshman retention, graduation rate, percentage of full time faculty, SAT/ACT scores and average alumni giving.

Ohio State already compares favorably in two areas: a full-time faculty rate of 91 percent -- close to if not exceeding many of its benchmark institutions; and alumni giving, with an average rate of 18 percent, closing in on the top-tier range of 20-40 percent. However, Ohio State's current freshman retention rate is 84 percent -- at least 6 percentage points below its top-tier counterparts, and its graduation rate is 56 percent, ranking significantly below the top-tier threshold of 70 percent.

While U.S. News includes SAT and ACT scores in its ranking criteria, Ohio State considers only the ACT scores in admission, so although the University has the highest ACT scores in its history -- with the recent freshman class averaging 25.2 -- it still lags behind top-tier schools in the 26-30 score range. "By reaching for and achieving these goals, we have the opportunity to make a big impact on where Ohio State lands in the future, not just in rankings in publications such as U.S. News & World Report, but in the minds of our students, potential students, the community and the nation,"Holbrook said.

The new economy

Shifting to the second issue of her remarks, Holbrook discussed the necessity of sustained state support as vital for implementing the Academic Plan. "The state needs to believe that investment in state universities promotes Ohio's ability to thrive in this new economy,"she said.

Holbrook said the state's goal in the nation's economic transformation is not only to create more jobs, but better jobs with higher incomes, and to attract companies that locate and stay here to be near the talent generated by the University.

"The most important measure of our success for the economy is the students we produce that stay in this state and help develop that economy,"Holbrook said."Therefore, it is critical that we sustain the level of state support that we have now, and work to improve that level of support. The new economy demands attention to state universities."

According to the New Economy Index, which uses 17 indicators to measure a state's adaptation to this new economy, Ohio is 30th among the 50 states, with Columbus ranking 36th among the top 50 cities -- even with a large university in its midst.

"I think we have a great opportunity within this institution to improve the status of our state and our city in the new economy, and I'm hoping we'll have the chance to promote this not only on behalf of Ohio State University but on behalf of all the state universities,"Holbrook said.

Library renovation plans on track

By Susan Wittstock, onCAMPUS staff

If all continues to go according to plan, Ohio State should have a renovated Main Library by 2008, poised to serve the University well into the century. "This is going to happen,"said Wesley L. Boomgaarden, preservation officer and manager of the library renovation project. "We have been waiting for a very long time."

The project is estimated to be a $95.8 million renovation, with a goal of breaking ground in 2005. An additional $4 million project will expand the Libraries' Book Depository Facility.

The University advertised this month for an Ohio architect to serve as the architect of record, and plans to make a selection by January. A design architect of national reputation, an engineering firm and a construction manager will be advertised for in February, with an aim of having a team selected by spring break.

"It is conceivable that this team could start work in April,"Boomgaarden said. "The best case scenario is that we will start the program of requirements. They'll measure the building and then there will be a lot of activity on multiple fronts."

An artist's rendering shows what an atrium in the renovated Main Library could look like.   Courtesy of University Libraries

An architectural feasibility study, conducted by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA) of Boston and URS Corporation of Columbus, was issued in February. The study analyzed the building's strengths and deficits, identified user needs, explored architectural options and estimated costs.

"What will be different when this is done? We will have a more secure facility, better cared-for collections, and readers will have memorable spaces to do research,"Boomgaarden said.

The Main Library was constructed in 1913, with highlights of the building being a two-story Reference Hall and a marble staircase. Subsequent additions and renovations are widely believed to have marred the structure's original beauty, with changes including a 1951 stack tower and a 1977 wing added to the west end.

The feasibility study outlined four conceptual types of buildings, ranging from the most minimal changes possible (Scheme A, $75 million) to a much larger facility without the stack tower (Scheme D, $125 million).

Scheme C, which would cost roughly $95.8 million, is the scheme most likely to serve as a template for the renovation. The C plan is sensitive to the historic site, allows for renovation of the library's grand spaces, renovates the stack tower, and keeps all of the major research collections together, said Library Director Joseph J. Branin. "We like the C design basically because it's the best we can do that's realistically affordable,"Branin said.

The project will be financed by state capital funding and through fund-raising efforts. So far, the development campaign has raised $10 million of the $30 million goal. Additional input from faculty, staff and students will influence the design that will be developed by the architectural team, but the feasibility study revealed several design elements that are most likely to be adopted.

"One assumption is that the floor poured in 1965 will be removed and that space will return to the 'grand' Reference Hall,"Boomgaarden said. "Another assumption is the creation of a west entrance to the building." The stack tower also needs attention, with one option being removing every other floor and installing compact shelving.

Scheme C calls for moving the Theatre Research Library, the Cartoon Research Library and aspects of the Journalism Library into the Main Library. The library's two front wings, added in 1951, could be removed and replaced with new wings positioned further back on the building.

"We're planning for more spaces that reflect how students and scholars do their work -- areas for group study, such as conference rooms,"Boomgaarden said. "We want it tobe a destination, someplace people want to come and spend time."

Planning stages also include consideration of how library services will be maintained while construction takes place. Budget proposals include $4 million to be used for an additional module at the University Libraries Book Depository.

“We need swing space for the collections to go while the dust is flying,” Boomgaarden said. “We also need to work out the swing space plans for library employees and services.”

Branin said a renovation is long overdue.

“I’d say at least 20 years. There has been criticism from those who work in the building and those who use the building that it’s in poor condition. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that.”

Renovation of the Main Library was listed as a priority in the Academic Plan.

That makes sense, Branin said. “The library has to be a high quality place if we’re going to be a high quality institution,” he said. “I am convinced that it is going to happen and that it is a top academic priority. We’ve received an incredible amount of support from the University’s senior administration.”

By Kevin Fitzsimons Study areas created in the upper floors of the Main Library stack tower are part of an effort to make the library more comfortable for patrons.

A clean well-lighted place

Although a renovated Main Library won't make its debut until 2008, the grand lady who resides at the top of the Oval has been paying more attention to her appearance lately.

On the outside, she's wearing a new roof on her stack tower. Inside, she's showing off with new carpeting, fresh coats of paint and a bright blue sign system to more clearly direct patrons to her resources.

"I know we need a major renovation, but that doesn't mean we have to have graffiti on walls and half the lights out or dirty restrooms. At least we can make this place a clean place,"said Library Director Joseph J. Branin.

"We are trying to instill pride in the building,"said James K. Bracken, professor and assistant director for Main Library Research and Reference Services.

Bracken recently took a reporter through a quick tour of the library, pointing out improvements on every floor.

Study spaces have been created throughout the library, even on the upper floors of the stack tower. Artwork is displayed, potted plants are arranged near windows, lighting is bright, and additional computer stations have been created. The 1970s-era furniture is being sent out to OPI Correctional Industries, where it is refurbished and reupholstered in fabrics more pleasing to modern eyes.

Bracken praised Physical Facilities for assistance in the makeover, and cited efforts to get aging heat and air conditioning equipment to function as being particularly heroic.

Other changes include additional security patrols, the opening of the JavaMaster coffee shop located on the library's first floor, and increased efforts to keep dust, dirt and trash at bay.

Except for the new roof and carpet, all improvements have been made from within the existing library budget -- with some assists from Physical Facilities -- and depend on the efforts of staff and the goodwill of patrons, Bracken said.

"You can tell that the staff have really taken ownership of the building,"he said. "You get the sense now that the building is cared for."