Graduates gather for OU’s 2024 undergraduate commencement
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
May 5, 2024 | 8:45pm EDT
Ohio University hosts students and families for 2024 undergraduate commencement in The Convo on Saturday. Commencement ceremonies were split by academic colleges into two sessions – one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
Don Leo named executive vice president, provost of Ohio University
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 26, 2024 | 12:01am EDT
Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced Monday that Don Leo will be the next executive vice president and provost starting July 1, according to a university press release. Leo is replacing current Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs, according to a university press release announcing the search. Sayrs will continue in the position through June.
Students, faculty learn to navigate changing AI landscape
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 18, 2024 | 10:35pm EDT
Ohio University is working to provide educational resources to understand and adapt to new Artificial Intelligence, or AI, technologies in hopes of leading faculty and students toward ethical and effective usage of AI in higher education and their careers.
Students honored for Leadership Awards
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 17, 2024 | 11:13pm EDT
The 41st annual Leadership Awards on Wednesday honored five organizations and 39 students for their dedication to the Ohio University and Athens communities. The Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion hosted the event and offered it in-person at Baker University Center Ballroom and online. Russell Morrow, interim vice president of diversity and inclusion, said he hopes the Leadership Awards serve as a reminder to students that anyone can be a leader.
University services partner, promote general wellness
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 11, 2024 | 7:58pm EDT
Ping Recreation Center now offers new equipment geared toward relaxation, recovery and mindfulness, but the additional equipment is part of a larger project that Well-Being and Recreation and also Counseling and Psychological Services, or CPS, partnered on together to create a space for people within Ping that focuses on mental and social health and social well-being.
Athens Public Library to add adult changing stations to restrooms
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 10, 2024 | 11:00pm EDT
In partnership with the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Athens County Public Library, or ACPL, system is implementing adult changing stations in The Plains Public Library to create more accessible facilities for Athens County residents with disabilities. The library has been undergoing renovations since early 2023 in compliance with the Ohio Changing Station Campaign. The statewide initiative aims to provide universal changing spaces for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to increase community engagement for underserved populations.
New Leaf Justice Enterprise offers Athens County residents affordable housing options
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 9, 2024 | 11:37pm EDT
Athens County’s newest housing nonprofit, New Leaf Justice Enterprise, strives to provide economic justice for Appalachian regions with 3D-printed, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities. The New Leaf Justice Enterprise, located at 485 Richland Ave., is a project of the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program, or SAOP, and the Ohio Department of Development’s Appalachian Community Grant Program funds the project. The Ohio Department of Development Governor’s Office of Appalachia awards and administers the funds.
Athens County has limited attainable, affordable housing options for elderly residents
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
April 2, 2024 | 11:09pm EDT
Athens County is currently home to nearly 10,000 elderly residents and has maintained a near 30% poverty rate for almost 25 years. Despite efforts from local officials and housing organizations, Southeast Ohio faces socioeconomic challenges that have stunted progress toward creating fully accessible and affordable housing for elderly residents.
Ohio University general fee funds university priorities
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
March 28, 2024 | 11:04pm EDT
Ohio University’s general fee, which most full-time students pay $712 toward each semester, pays for various student services across campus, but many students are unaware of the fee and what it goes toward.
Students demand restroom locks in residence halls after voyeurism incident
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
March 27, 2024 | 9:26pm EDT
Nearly a month after a report of voyeurism in Dougan House, students are calling for the university to take the initiative to add locks in residence hall showers to protect the safety and privacy of its students.
Ohio University renames LGBT Center to Pride Center
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
March 20, 2024 | 11:00pm EDT
Ohio University’s LGBT Center renamed itself the Pride Center Monday in an effort to use more inclusive and inviting language. The renaming, which the OU Student Senate unanimously passed in October 2023, was recognized by a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.
Athens Green Card offers benefits to local business
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
March 17, 2024 | 9:05pm EDT
The Athens Green Card recently launched Feb 14 offering exclusive benefits at local businesses to students and residents aiming to bolster support and revenue for small businesses in rural communities, as opposed to corporate companies.
Diversity scholarships remain in review from Ohio Attorney General interpretation
By Olivia Gilliand and Donovan Hunt | For the Post
February 28, 2024 | 10:37pm EST
Ohio University is reviewing criteria in gift agreements, which can affect students of diverse backgrounds, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling prohibiting affirmative action policies in college admissions last June. A university spokesperson said OU’s actions take into account advice sent to them from other experts in higher education and communication from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Diversity scholarships, legal protections for faculty threatened
By Olivia Gilliand and Katie Millard | For the Post
February 23, 2024 | 4:04pm EST
This is a developing story. Last updated Feb. 23 at 4:59 p.m.
Ohio University faculty has been unofficially mandated not to award diversity scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year, based on Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s interpretation of the June 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action.
Heat problems continue at Ping Center
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
February 20, 2024 | 10:52pm EST
It has been over three weeks since Ohio University’s Charles J. Ping Recreation Center has had to close sections of its facilities and cancel group exercise classes due to complications with the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC system, according to a previous Post report.
Rise & Grind creates another local coffee option
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
February 5, 2024 | 10:55pm EST
With the addition of Athens’ newest coffee option, a food truck called Rise & Grind, there will now be four local coffee restaurants along the uptown area. This not only creates more options for coffee connoisseurs, but also potentially creates local competition among business owners.
Ohio University, University of Bayreuth partner for sports management degree
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
January 31, 2024 | 9:51pm EST
With help from the College of Business at Ohio University and the College of Law, Business and Economics at the University of Bayreuth in Bavaria, Germany, a double degree program in sports management has offered students a new take on studying sports business.
Ohio politicians, student senators push against restrictive transgender youth law
By Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
January 30, 2024 | 11:43pm EST
On Jan. 24, the Ohio Senate voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto against Ohio House Bill 68 The bill limits access to essential healthcare needs for transgender youth, including restricting transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care and preventing transgender girls from taking part in girl’s and women’s sports.
Protestors gather around courthouse, show support for Palestine
By Olivia Gilliand , Jack Solon and Emily Stokes
January 27, 2024 | 12:36pm EST
Protestors gathered outside the Athens County Courthouse, located at 8 E. Washington St., Friday to show support for Palestinians amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
The protest follows a previous demonstration held in October by Athens community members at the same location. Around 100 people led chants, gave speeches and peacefully protested.
Aging HVAC system results in Ping closures
By: Olivia Gilliand | For the Post
January 25, 2024 | 10:29pm EST
The Ping Recreation Center, located at 82 S. Green Drive, has reportedly closed fitness studios and canceled group exercise classes due to complications with the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, system.