Campus Winter Scenes

Some OU-C students continue academic pursuits at Athens campus

One of the advantages of attending Ohio University-Chillicothe is the opportunity enjoy a small-campus setting while being part of a larger university. For some students that includes the ability to begin their academic careers on the Chillicothe Campus and continue their studies on the Athens campus. This relocation option allows students from the regional campuses to take fuller benefit of the resources and extensive academic offerings of a great national university. Three students who recently made the transition from the Chillicothe Campus to the Athens Campus share their experiences. Initially, the transition was not without its challenges. “It was rough at first. The sheer number of people came as quite a shock. Also, being quite a bit older than the average college student set me at a distance, as well,” said Lauren Baker, who graduated from Chillicothe’s Unioto High School. “While there is an adjustment when moving from such a small, intimate campus to a campus of 20,000 students, I found that I adapted fairly easily.” Baker relocated to the Athens Campus so she could pursue a major in outdoor education and camping toward her “dream job” of becoming program manager of a non-profit organization such as the Girl Scouts. Her Chillicothe Campus experience was invaluable for Baker’s college career. “I spent four years in the Marine Corps, so I was 22 when I went to college for the first time. OU-C helped me get back into the mindset of being in school again and allowed me to go to college but still stay close to home for a few years. It is a good steppingstone before attending a bigger university. The classes at OU-C are smaller and more intimate but still just as challenging.” Steven Alexander lined up a job and moved to Athens during the summer to adjust to his new environment. “The only really difficult part about the switch was not having all of my classes in the same building. I had a bit of a time finding certain buildings, but it was nothing insurmountable.” The smaller size of the Chillicothe Campus offered a good initial college experience for Alexander, whose graduating class at East Liverpool Christian School included 14 students. “It eased me into the sheer size of the Athens Campus. Going straight to Athens may have bit of a culture shock. At OU-C, many quarters I had multiple classes with the same people, and it was not uncommon to bump into the same friends in commons areas around campus regularly. Athens is big enough to where you do not bump into people you know on an almost daily basis.” Alexander is majoring in political science and plans to join the Marines through Officer Candidate School after graduation. Chris Ebert of Logan Elm High School in Circleville was featured in a recent edition of Ohio Today alumni magazine as an example of a relocated student. He transferred to Athens to pursue his academic major of special education and hopes to become a teacher and coach. Ebert had a good experience at the Chillicothe Campus. “It is close to home and has more of a community-based feel to it. I have family in the area and wanted to stay close to home. I liked the student-to-teacher ratio and the professors. They are understanding and accommodated our schedules because we were commuters. I planned to finish my degree at Chillicothe, but I changed my major to special education, and I needed to go to the main campus to finish my degree.” Ebert’s transition has been eased by his job as a student equipment manager with the Bobcat football team. As he notes in the Ohio Today article, Ebert has a special appreciation for this region. “The Appalachian region has natural beauty as well as a great heritage. Appalachia is rich in tradition built by generations of families. It is a place where families continue to stay and grow.”

Dean welcomes OU-C members back to campus for beginning of winter quarter marked with promise

The following message was shared with OU-C campus members in a recent email message from Dean Richard Bebee.

Jan. 5, 2010

Members of the Chillicothe Campus community,

As we begin winter quarter 2010, I would like to welcome members of the Ohio University-Chillicothe community to campus. Continuing members of campus and those new to OU-C are all part of a dynamic learning community, and everyone contributes to its success.

To newcomers, I extend a special greeting. I am confident that you will find that OU-C offers a supportive atmosphere with the necessary resources and mentoring to help you realize your ambitions and utilize your talents. At OU-C, we take our students’ success personally, and faculty members are approachable and available after class to answer any questions you may have.

We are all part of a campus with a proud tradition and bright future. Since its founding in 1946 as the first regional campus in the state, OU-C has made its mark as a leader in higher education with a forward-thinking approach.

This is a signature point in time for Ohio University-Chillicothe. This has been a banner year for the Chillicothe Campus in a number of ways. Preliminary figures indicate that the campus’ fall enrollment exceeded 2,100 students, a 15 percent increase over the previous year. With the campus’ enrollment and close-knit community, OU-C has many of the features often associated with a quality, small-campus educational experience.

Moreover, I am confident that our campus is now poised for its greatest hour. The Chillicothe Campus begins the new calendar year with an updated appearance. The recently-completed Parkway Project—with its pedestrian plaza, brick entranceways and amphitheater – gives the exterior of campus a new look that reflects the quality of the Chillicothe Campus educational experience and the sense of pride that exists at OU-C.

As we move forward as a campus community, it is imperative that we remain true to our mission of serving our students and serving our region. The real significance of the OU-C educational experience is measured in how we impact the quality of life for residents of this region that we are proud to call home.

Again, best wishes as we begin a new quarter and a new calendar year. I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Cordially,

Richard Bebee, Dean

Ohio University-Chillicothe

Upcoming workshop to address online learning

Thirty faculty members are registered for a workshop to develop online blended courses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in the Stevenson Center Learning Commons. The workshop was originally scheduled for Nov. 7, 2009. The workshop, which is designed for Group I, II and III faculty members, is presented by the campus’ Technology-Rich Learning Community and will specifically address the process for OU-C faculty members to complete the major areas of the campus’ rubric including objectives and outcome goals; authentic assessment practices/ engaging, quality assignment design; interaction and collaboration components/ and learner support checklist and tools. “This workshop is part of the campus’ commitment to utilizing online and distance learning tools to offer a quality educational experience,” said Schmittauer, a member of the OU-C Technology-Rich Learning Community. Other members are Patty Griffith, Lisa Wallace, Vicky Parker, Robb Moats, Nicholas Kersey and Jim McKean. “With the annual inclement winter weather approaching, this workshop is especially valuable in helping faculty members use Blackboard and other distance learning tools for those days when students may be unable to travel to campus. A unique aspect of this workshop is that it is tailored to OU-C’s learning environment, and it is based on the OU-C Course-Development Roadmap. Hands-on activities, ample Web resources and abundant examples will be hallmarks of our time together,” Schmittauer said.

Musicians, artists to discuss their careers and inspirations during OU-C discussion

Local musicians and artists, as well as those with an interest in the visual and performing arts, will discuss what leads individuals to pursue these artistic longings during the “Thoughtful Thursday Salon Series” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 14 in the Quinn Library at Ohio University-Chillicothe’s Stevenson Center. The discussion is free and open to the public. Among those sharing their thoughts will be OU-C staff member Rick Barnes, an area musician, and OU-C art faculty member Margaret McAdams, a professional artist. “We will discuss an artist’s life from different perspectives, such as what inspires these individuals to practice their crafts, the ups and downs of an artist’s life and the choices they have made to become artists,” said Allan Pollchik, OU-C head librarian and a member of the campus’ Cultural Events Committee, which sponsors the discussion series. “Those of us who appreciate the arts appreciate that artists are courageous enough to venture into the unfettered world of art.” The “Thoughtful Thursday” series is intended to offer area residents the opportunity to engage in informal, intellectual discussions covering a range of topics and strengthen the learning community that exists on campus and in the region

Caution and judgment are urged during times of inclement weather

With the opening of winter quarter, it is an appropriate time to remind individuals of the campus’ policy on adverse weather and how it relates to campus operations. Campus faculty and staff members will make every attempt to maintain normal campus operations. Generally, the campus remains operational unless Ross County is under a level 3 weather emergency. Listen to local radio stations, view listings on TV programs and check the Chillicothe Gazette and OU-C Web site for closing information.

In situations when the weather is threatening but the campus remains open, members of the campus community are urged to exercise their judgment and to not imperil their safety. Please notify those who are affected by your absence – students, faculty, co-workers or your supervisor -- so accommodations can be made.

University procedures are in place for employees who are unable to travel to campus or who need to leave early.

Further, students can register for text messages regarding campus closings to be sent to their telephones through the ‘Mobile Text Alerts’ section of the NBC 4 TV Web site (located approximately halfway down the Web page):

www.nbc4i.com.

Upcoming Campus Events

• Academic Council meeting at noon on Jan. 12 & 26 and Feb. 9 & 23 in Bennett Hall room 105 • Musicians and artists discuss their craft as part of “Salon Series” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 14 in Quinn Library • OU-C women’s basketball game vs. OSU-Lima at 1 p.m. on Jan. 16 in Shoemaker Center • OU-C men’s basketball game vs. OSU-Lima at 3 p.m. on Jan. 16 in Shoemaker Center • OU-C women’s basketball game vs. OU-Eastern at 2 p.m. on Jan. 17 in Shoemaker Center • OU-C men’s basketball game vs. OU-Eastern at 3 p.m. on Jan. 17 in Shoemaker Center • Classified Group meeting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 19 and Feb. 9 in Bennett Hall room 105 • Foothills Folk Society in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 in Bennett Hall auditorium • Administrative Council meeting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 21 and Feb. 11 in Bennett Hall room 105 • OU-C women’s basketball game vs. Miami-Middletown at 1 p.m. on Jan. 23 in Shoemaker Center • OU-C men’s basketball game vs. Miami-Middletown at 3 p.m. on Jan. 23 in Shoemaker Center • OU Provost Pam Benoit to speak with campus community on afternoon of Jan. 27 in Learning Commons. Time to be determined. • Opening reception for Tolerance III art exhibit at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5 in Patricia Scott Art Gallery in Bennett Hall • OU-C women’s basketball game vs. Miami-Hamilton at 1 p.m. on Feb. 6 in Shoemaker Center • OU-C men’s basketball game vs. Miami-Hamilton at 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 in Shoemaker Center • Michael Zimmerman delivers Kennedy Lecture on compatibility of Darwin (science) and religion at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 in Bennett Hall auditorium. Reception at 6 p.m. in Patricia Scott At Gallery • “Lunch and Learn” with Tony Hunt at noon on Feb. 19 in Stevenson Center Learning Commons. Topic: “A Year After – Obama and Holding on to Hope”