Though few know all the names and locations of Ohio University’s more than 240 buildings, there are a few no freshman can function without. And because of OU’s 210-year history, most of the campus’ buildings hold more than just coursework and student files.
Baker University Center
Baker functions as OU’s student and activities center, as well as a connection between College Green and West Green. Built in 2004, the building carried over several elements of the former Baker Center — now occupied by the Schoonover Center for Communication — such as Front Room coffee shop and several student activity centers, but the old bowling alley did not survive the move. The building does hold Bobcat Student Lounge, Bobcat Depot — where office and tech supplies can be purchased — and a pair of eateries, as well as conference and ballroom spaces that can be rented through OU Event Services, most of which are free for students.
Cutler Hall
The oldest building on campus, Cutler Hall holds the offices of the president, provost and several other top administrators. It is the oldest building “west of the Alleghenies and north of the Ohio river” built for higher education. Since its construction began in 1816, the hall has served as a classroom, dormitory, laboratory and museum. The building used to play OU’s alma mater from its bell tower, at 8 a.m. and noon.
Alden Library
The library was completed in 1969, at the time holding 550,000 materials. Now it holds more than three million, but if students can’t find what they’re looking for, they can order them through OhioLink — a material-sharing service used by many Buckeye State libraries. Students can also study in Alden’s Fine Arts Library, Southeast Asian collections or stacks on the sixth and seventh floors. They can also rent one of the study rooms located throughout the library.
Chubb Hall
When it was built in 1930, Chubb Hall’s three floors were used to hold OU’s library. Now it serves students’ administrative needs, by way of the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Financial Aid, Residential Housing and University College.
College Main Offices:
College of Arts and Sciences — Wilson Hall
College of Fine Arts — Jennings House
Scripps College of Communication — Schoonover Center
University College — Chubb Hall
College of Business — Copeland Hall
Russ College of Engineering — Stocker Center
Patton College of Education — McCracken Hall
Honors Tutorial College — 35 Park Place
Graduate College — Research and Technology Building
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine — Grosvenor Hall
Dining Halls:
Nelson Court — South Green
Shively Court — East Green
Boyd Dining Hall — West Green
OU Cafes/Restaurants:
Latitude 39 — Baker University Center
West 82 — Baker University Center
Front Room — Baker University Center
Café Bibliotech — Alden Library
Southside Café — Nelson Court
Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
OU’s premier auditorium is named for its first African-American male and female graduates, but most people refer to the building as MemAud. OU hosts many of its fine arts performances in the 2,500-seat hall, as well as touring musicals and artists such as Lee Brice and Sara Bareilles. The side of the building holds plaques from famous speakers who have visited MemAud, such as Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and, most recently, President Barack Obama.
The Ridges
Just past the roundabout on Richland Ave. is The Ridges — a property currently owned by OU that served as a mental institution from 1867 to 1993. Under OU’s ownership, the complex includes Konneker Research Center, the Voinovich School of Public Affairs and Leadership, the Ridges Auditorium and the Kennedy Museum of Art, a free museum specializing in Native American art, as well as hiking paths and old cemeteries. However, many sections of the complex are in disrepair or blocked off, and
OU tore down one of the complex’s buildings — the former tuberculosis ward — in 2013.
dk123111@ohiou.edu
@DanielleRose84
