Centers for E-Business, Quantitative Biology, OK'd by Ohio University Board of Trustees

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (December 8, 2000) -- Ohio University will establish centers to conduct advanced research and training in the areas of e-business and quantitative biology, President Robert Glidden said today.

The two new centers were unanimously approved by the university's board of trustees at a meeting at the regional campus here today.

The Institute for Quantitative Biology, part of Ohio University's College of Arts and Sciences, will be the first of its kind in the state of Ohio. The Institute will bring together faculty in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy to incorporate mathematical and computer analysis tools into the study of life sciences. All activities of the Institute initially will be conducted in existing research facilities of the participating departments.

"It is our intent that Ohio University will become the premier institution in the state for research and graduate and undergraduate education in the rapidly growing, highly interdisciplinary field of quantitative biology," Glidden said.

The Center for e-Business, as part of the College of Business, will focus on e-business and e-commerce research and outreach activities in Appalachia Ohio. It also will be used as a training center for Ohio University students, staff, faculty, as well as entrepreneurs in the region.

"The Center for e-Business is important because growth and the importance of e-business has made it imperative that we prepare all of our students to function in an increasingly wired world," said College of Business Dean Glenn Corlett. "In southeastern Ohio in particular, future business growth and job creation is dependent on our ability to develop a work force knowledgeable in all aspects of e-business from infrastructure development to application management."

The Center for e-Business will partner with Ohio Universityıs Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs and the Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative to support economic development opportunities in the region. The new center also will offer e-business courses, host e-business industry experts and create internships and placement opportunities for students. In addition, the center will be used to analyze the impact of Internet technology on existing businesses and the regionıs economy.

"We feel that the proposed e-business center presents a great opportunity for the university to have an impact on the economic development of southeastern Ohio," said John Day, department chair in Management Information Systems. "The center will be a single contact point at Ohio University where interested parties can gain access to the knowledge of faculty and students that are researching and teaching in the e-business area."

Trustees also approved plans and specifications for renovation of Bentley Hall. The building will be expanded from 56,772 square feet of space to 110,308 square feet, which will include increased classroom space and offices for the departments of History, Political Science, Sociology/Anthropology, and Economics. Phase one of renovation is set to begin in March 2001.

Phase II of rehabilitation of Elson Hall on the Zanesville campus was also approved. New classrooms, a darkroom, and faculty offices are part of the project, which is scheduled to begin February 2001.

In other business, trustees approved hiring an architectural consultant to begin design work for a proposed Human Resources/Training Center. The facility, which will include space for University Human Resources, training and testing spaces, computer laboratories, conference rooms and offices, will be built across from the HDL Center on West Union Street in Athens.

The next Board of Trustees Meeting will be February 1 and 2 in Athens, Ohio.