September 2024 Updates Q&A - President Gonzalez

Multiple Facilities-related job postings are currently available to interested applicants. Additionally, new opportunities will continue to be added as needed to help ensure our staffing measures enable us to maintain appropriate campus service, daily cleaning and maintenance of high-touch facilities.

In the event of a facilities-related emergency that poses a risk to occupant safety or loss of property, please contact 740-593-2911 for the most immediate response. This number is monitored 24 hours a day. 

For routine and/or non-emergency maintenance requests, we recommend submitting a work request through the University Service Center. You can also track the status of your work request online. 

Please note that if any portion of your concern is related to an existing work request, our University Service Center (740-593-2911) will be happy to provide an update and/or escalate your request if needed.

First and foremost, OHIO believes that each and every employee should have the appropriate opportunity to share their voice and opinion on the collective bargaining process, regardless of their position.

Last spring, the United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU), the employee group at OHIO that has requested recognition as a collective bargaining unit (Union), submitted a request for voluntary recognition as a collective bargaining unit on behalf of all faculty. 

In order to help ensure that all OHIO employees are provided ample opportunity to engage in the collective bargaining process, Ohio University did not voluntarily accept or recognize OAOU as a Bargaining Unit; instead, they have been encouraged to follow the process outlined by ORC and monitored by the State Employment Relations Board (SERB). Additionally, we have recommended a secret ballot election to determine if a majority of eligible employees elect to form a faculty union and begin the collective bargaining process, or if a majority of eligible employees elect to continue their current relationship through established processes and obligations like those outlined in the Faculty Handbook and through the Faculty Senate. 

The collective bargaining process is ongoing, and the matter is currently before SERB to determine the appropriate bargaining unit for employees. In the meantime, we encourage all OHIO employees, regardless of their collective bargaining position, to continue to share their voices and opinions. We will equally continue to provide updates as the overall process, which is guided by the state, progresses.  

If there is a specific space/area that prompted this question, I encourage you to reach out directly to the University Service Center (740-593-2911) with additional details; their team will look into the situation and report back to the Vice President of Finance and Administration. 

The beauty of OHIO’s campus and facilities is certainly something to be admired and preserved. While the frequency of the basic cleaning of common areas including classrooms, restrooms, and lobbies, has not changed in recent years, our Facilities Management team is continuing to monitor and assess its current staffing numbers to ensure we’re able to provide a high measure of campus service, daily cleaning and maintenance of high-touch facilities. 

Thank you for that question. The issue of affordable housing for faculty and staff within Athens County is definitely one that is on my mind as we work to recruit top talent to our University. Ohio University maintains a representative on the City of Athens Affordable Housing Commission, which meets monthly. The commission reviews proposals and advocates for affordable housing developments in the city. For example, recently they voted to support the University Estates Woodsedge Project, which will include 40 townhomes near the University. We are committed to continuing our partnership with the city to find ways to incentivize the development of new affordable housing.

I do want to highlight immediate resources for anyone experiencing housing insecurity.  We offer housing help for students who find themselves experiencing housing insecurity or in situations where they are at risk for homelessness. Additionally, the University’s Employee Assistance Program, which is available to OHIO employees and their spouse/partners, dependents (26 and younger), household members and parents/parents-in-law, offers information and referrals for those seeking childcare, eldercare, housing, transportation and more. 

Ohio University is committed to recruiting, retaining and rewarding high-performing faculty and staff across campuses and modalities. When necessary, we rely on assistance from national search firms to help identify top-notch talent, and at times, we promote from within. 

In the case of both Vice President of Human Resources Miles and Vice President for Student Affairs Lyn Redington, each came to us highly recommended to serve in interim roles. During their tenure as interim leaders, they demonstrated incredible value and expertise and both were ultimately appointed to their roles permanently. In both cases, we sought feedback from Faculty Senate and Administrative Senate leadership, their peers and staff within their division prior to moving forward as we would have with a more traditional search.