Ohio Dominican to Become University
Ohio Dominican College announced that it will become a university by this summer as part of an ambitious plan to increase enrollment, expand and improve services, and become one of the preeminent Catholic universities in the country.
"We are a great institution with a world-class faculty, talented and dedicated staff, a strong curriculum and co-curriculum, good facilities, and an engaged student body. But we plan to get even better," said Ohio Dominican President Dr. Jack P. Calareso.
The plan, approved by the Ohio Dominican Board of Trustees in January was unveiled to the public.
"Ohio Dominican is ready to go to the next level, and that means becoming a pre-eminent small university," said Don McConnell, ODU Board of Trustees chairman and senior corporate vice president for the Battelle Memorial Institute.
The change to university status goes into effect July 1. Among the major improvements:
- Increased Enrollment: An aggressive new marketing and enrollment management plan positions the institution with some of the top colleges and universities in the country. The goal for this plan is to significantly increase enrollment at Ohio Dominican through planned growth in the undergraduate population as well as the graduate and campus programs. Ohio Dominican has 2,200 students today. By 2005 it will have at least 3,000.
- NCAA Athletics: Ohio Dominican is in the exploratory phase of moving to the National College Athletic Association (NCAA). The college currently competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
- New Buildings and Renovated Facilities: A comprehensive review of the institution's current facilities and needs for the future will explore the need for a number of new buildings, including a new residence hall and student and recreational facilities as well as the renovation and expansion current facilities. The review is being coordinated by Sasaki Associates Inc., an international design company that has done extensive work at hundreds of colleges and universities as well as projects in Ohio, including the space and facilities planning for the Nationwide Arena project.
- New Programs: Ohio Dominican will continue its expansion into graduate education with a number of possible new programs, including a master's of arts in education and integrated undergraduate and graduate programs. Ohio Dominican has already introduced its first graduate degrees -- master's studies in theology and business administration -- that are pending accreditation and offering classes this winter. New undergraduate majors are also being considered, including pre-professional tracks.
- Student Development: A significant expansion of on-campus student extracurricular activities and improvements to residential life, including development of a comprehensive freshman orientation program, expansion and upgrade of the student radio station (including web streaming), creation of a student newspaper, and expansion of campus ministry programs and services and the increase of student activities and programs.
- Off-Campus Sites Expansion. The school has already opened two off-campus locations in Columbus in the last year, Tuttle Crossing in Dublin and the Easton Town Center. The New Vision calls for establishing more off-campus sites, exploring other cities in Ohio and international locations.
The plan has been well received by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Columbus community leaders.
"These changes are taking the college in the right direction," said Chris Conroy, a junior from Delaware and president of College Council.
"This is an exciting time for Ohio Dominican," Dr. Calareso said. "'Ohio Dominican University' is a new image to move us into the new century. Our 91 years of history as a Catholic and Dominican center of higher education will always serve as our solid foundation as we continue to focus on our enduring values of quality education for all students."
