A student walks outside of Blackburn house — a residence hall located on North campus. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Lantern File Photo
Ohio State launched a new initiative aimed at improving students’ on-campus residential experience by connecting housing, dining, recreation and academic support, according to a Sept. 30 university news article.
The Residential Experience Transformation initiative aims to strengthen student success by creating residential communities that support students’ academic progress, well-being and sense of belonging, according to the article. The university said the initiative will focus on more than residence hall buildings and renovations. Instead, the effort will examine how dining, recreation, housing and student support services can work together to build relationships while engaging with the university.
The initiative comes after Ohio State made changes to its on-campus housing. Taylor Tower closed at the beginning of the spring 2026 semester and Drackett Tower closed during the summer 2026 semester for renovations and are scheduled to reopen in autumn 2028, per prior Lantern reporting.
Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Trevor Brown and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mike Papadakis are leading the initiative, according to the university news article.
The university said it would also give more attention to improving the Honors and Scholars experience, with more opportunities available in the program.
Ohio State’s announcement did not outline specific changes to residence halls, dining facilities or student services. The university said upcoming engagement processes will help shape the future of the residential experience.
Dave Isaacs, a university spokesperson, said in an email that the initiative is still very new and that additional information was not available at this time.
The initiative is a part of Ohio State’s broader Education for Citizenship 2035 efforts to strengthen student and community success and academic excellence.
