Baker Space Task Force provides building recommendations, future space enhancements following extensive student input
Throughout the process, the Task Force engaged with a variety of individual students, student leaders and student organizations to better understand their vision for Baker University Center and how this important campus space can evolve to help students feel more welcomed, supported and connected throughout their time at OHIO.
June 30, 2026
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Following months of stakeholder engagement, collaborative student assessment and feedback, the Baker Space Task Force has completed its work and provided recommendations designed to strengthen Baker University Center's role as the heart of Ohio University’s campus community.
The Task Force’s recommendations are the result of extensive student and community feedback, analysis and discussion over the past year. Throughout the process, the Task Force engaged with a variety of individual students, student leaders and student organizations to better understand their vision for Baker University Center and how this important campus space can evolve to help students feel more welcomed, supported and connected throughout their time at OHIO.
"Baker University Center is much more than a building – it’s a place where students build community, develop relationships and create many of the connections that shape their personal and professional experiences,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Baker Space Task Force Co-Chair Imants Jaunarajs. “Our Task Force’s recommendations are intended to reflect these perspectives and reinforce our commitment to creating spaces where all students can find a sense of belonging and access the opportunities and resources that will enable them to thrive in campus life."
A student and community-informed process
The Baker Task Force leveraged a comprehensive engagement strategy that included a public website, multiple rounds of surveys and offered numerous opportunities for student-focused engagement and feedback.
As a result of this collaborative process, the Task Force was able to establish a set of guiding principles that focused on student engagement, efficient use of space, accessibility, flexibility and long-term adaptability. In total, 518 survey responses were submitted by students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and community members.
Several consistent themes emerged across stakeholder feedback, including:
- The importance of maintaining Baker’s multifunctional role while increasing opportunities for studying, gathering and student connection.
- The need for clearer navigation throughout the building
- Opportunities for additional identity-affirming and belonging-focused spaces
- Making continued investments in the building’s appearance and functionality.
Task Force-recommended space adjustments (by floor):
The Baker Space Task Force’s recommendations reflect feedback from, and engagement with, a variety of individual students, student leaders and student organizations that helped them better understand our students’ vision for Baker University Center and how this important campus space can evolve to help them feel more welcomed, supported and connected throughout their time at OHIO.
First Floor
- Open the Admissions lounge for broader campus use during evening hours, allowing the space to become reservable after 5 p.m.
Second Floor
- Relocate the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL) from the third floor to the second floor.
Third Floor
- Relocate LINKS and Make Respect Visible from the second floor to the third floor.
- Move Health Promotion closer to other Well-Being and Recreation departments.
- Sorority and Fraternity Life will move into the current Health Promotion office.
- Long-term consideration of transforming the Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center meeting room into a Leadership Lounge.
- Repurpose the current Basic Needs office as the future home of the Center for Community Impact.
Fourth Floor
- Establish Room 403 as a Graduate Commons space supporting both the Graduate Student Senate and graduate students.
Fifth Floor
- Relocate Basic Needs services adjacent to Cats’ Cupboard, strategically utilizing space located within Bobcat Depot to create a more connected support hub for students.
Key Task Force recommendations
The Task Force's recommendations strongly emulated student and community feedback while offering a combination of immediate opportunities and long-term considerations for future planning. Building-wide recommendations include enhanced wayfinding to improve navigation and visibility of building occupants, as well as increased branding, artwork and graphics to create a stronger sense of place and belonging throughout the facility. The Task Force also recommended prioritizing maintaining key dining venues, event spaces and student-focused functions while identifying opportunities to increase flexibility, improve utilization and better align services based on identified student needs.
University leadership has formally reviewed and approved the Task Force’s report, and the implementation of many of the Baker Space Task Force’s recommendations is anticipated to begin later this summer.
“I’m extremely proud of and thankful for the dedicated work of our entire Task Force, who have worked diligently to identify opportunities that enhance student engagement, improve accessibility, create a stronger sense of belonging and help ensure Baker University Center remains a welcoming and flexible space for all,” said Director of Space Planning and Baker Space Task Force Co-Chair Alicia Sweeney.
