Ohio State Leaders Unveil Plan to Overhaul Campus Living

Ohio State University has begun a program to connect its housing, dining, and academic services. The goal is to create residential communities that support student well-being and academic progress.

The initiative, called Residential Experience Transformation, goes beyond simple building renovations. University leaders said the effort will look at how different campus services can work together. They want to build stronger relationships between students and the university while engaging in daily campus life.

This plan follows recent changes to on-campus housing. Taylor Tower closed at the start of the spring 2026 semester. Drackett Tower closed during the summer 2026 semester for renovations. Both buildings are scheduled to reopen in autumn 2028.

Melissa Shivers, Senior Vice President for Student Life, is leading the effort. She is joined by Trevor Brown, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, and Mike Papadakis, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The team also plans to expand opportunities for the Honors and Scholars program.

University spokesperson Dave Isaacs said in an email that the initiative is still very new. He noted that additional information was not available at this time. The announcement did not list 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. This project is part of the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategy. That strategy aims to strengthen student success, community ties, and academic excellence.