Ten new things students will see this fall semester

Compiled by Margo Kissell, university news and communications

1. A new look for Miami dining facilities; Miami continues to be a cashless campus 

The 2021 Miami dining experience will look a bit different than previous years as the dining team continues to prioritize the health and safety of customers and staff. All commons locations will have full seating capacity, and food will be served in compostable, to-go containers at the start of school with the hopes to return to china plates and cutlery as the semester progresses. Mobile Ordering at select a la carte dining locations is available through the GET app. Meals to Go options are also available in every market location, and they include an entree, side and bottled water for a buffet swipe.

Nationwide challenges in unemployment, supply chain, product availability and operational changes in the food and beverage industry are challenges also affecting Miami. The dining team has worked hard to develop a hybrid schedule with staggered meal service times at buffet and a la carte locations. These changes will ensure that students have a variety of dining options at all times and the ability to get the most value and use from their meal plan. The dining team plans to expand hours of operation and open more locations once more full-time and student staff can be hired. (Subject to change) For the most up-to-date information, visit the Campus Services website.

2. Libraries continue curbside pickup, add new services

Curbside pickup and department and residence hall delivery through campus mail will continue. The Libraries also will continue to offer students the ability to check out licenses for the full Adobe Creative Cloud software suite for two-week periods.

The Libraries’ Makerspace, which is open for all Miami students, faculty, and staff to use, added a Glowforge laser cutter and engraver to its suite of available equipment. Also new this semester are To-Go Maker Kits, Miamians can check out portable sets of popular maker equipment, accessories, and materials to use anywhere. The digital production studio received a number of updates and now boasts two professional microphones, a RODECaster Pro mixing panel, and acoustic panels to reduce echo. These complement the studio's other equipment to provide all the tools Miamians need to produce high-quality audio and video projects.

3. FOCUS, a new, multi-year initiative

The Miami community is invited to explore a “big idea” as FOCUS — a multi-year initiative — launches this fall. There will be many ways to join the discussion in this year’s inaugural theme, Race and Racial Justice. Replacing what was Miami’s Summer Reading Program, FOCUS will examine new themes each year. All programming is supported by the Office of the Provost, with this year’s theme led by the Humanities Center and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

4. A new look on High Street

The High Street Safety Improvement and Urban Paving Project is expected to be complete by Saturday, Aug. 14. This is a joint project between the state of Ohio, the city of Oxford and Miami University. The project included a raised center median including plantings and other landscape elements, sidewalk replacement and widening, street and pedestrian lighting, pedestrian crossing enhancements and traffic signal modifications. The project also includes the construction of a bus pull-out on the south side of High Street between Roudebush Hall and Laws Hall.

5. Mask and facial covering requirement

Face coverings must be worn indoors at all times, as of Aug. 9, regardless of vaccination status — except as exempted under the university’s COVID-19 policy (e.g. when working in your office alone, when in your residence hall room).

6. COVID-19 vaccinations available at Miami Health Services

You can now get your COVID-19 vaccinations at Miami University’s Health Services on the Oxford campus. The type of vaccine may vary. Starting Aug. 24, a walk-in vaccination clinic at Armstrong Student Center will be available, Tuesdays through Thursdays.

7. New degrees and majors offered

Headline-making terms like cybersecurity, game design and urban development are prominent in Miami’s newest majors and degrees.

8. New building and renovation projects

The Oxford campus is growing with the construction of two new academic buildings — the first since the Farmer School of Business was built in 2009. Work on the Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness facility is underway, and ground will be broken Sept. 22 on the Richard M. McVey Data Science Building. The new Indoor Equestrian Center has been completed. Learn more about our Building Connections series.

9. The Regionals Nursing Innovation Hub will be ready for students 

Renovations are wrapping up in University Hall on the Hamilton campus to accommodate the growing program, provide high-tech simulation spaces and more. Learn more about it at Regionals Innovation Hub.

10. The Miami Global Plan has been approved

The new Miami Global Plan will be ready to roll out in August 2022. In addition to new features like the "Signature Inquiries" component, students will find a new, more cohesive narrative about the value of a liberal education and how the Miami Global Plan helps to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Current and new students can go through a new, updated Office of Liberal Education website that includes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion courses and all information required for them to understand the Miami Plan requirements specific to their calendar year.