Zimpher's zeal

Just what is UC's president trying to accomplish?

Dan Monk  Senior Staff Reporter

 

Nancy Zimpher has no regrets about her "fishbowl existence," in which talk-radio pundits make fun of her clothes and the way she smiles.  On an almost daily basis, the University of Cincinnati president is mocked by sports talkers because she dared to demand more than wins from UC basketball coach Bob Huggins.

 

Zimpher also has been accused of chasing away UC deans and beating down morale. Her newest hire, law school Dean Louis Bilionis, has been criticized as too liberal for conservative Cincinnati. When Phil Cox, chairman of the UC board of trustees, spoke out in her defense, he was attacked.  Life's tough when everyone is staring. But Zimpher, it appears, is tougher.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/07/11/story8.html

 

Wow, at this rate I might actually be proud of my alma mater some day.  Certainly better than the days of Joe Steger, who IMHO was more concerned with building up his leagecy than trying to come up with a comprehensive plan to improve the university.

 

Nancy Zimpher is on a mission to remake UC

... and her battle with Bob Huggins was just the latest test of her resolve

By Lori Kurtzman  Enquirer staff writer

 

It was a clash between the University of Cincinnati's biggest names: popular men's basketball coach vs. ambitious university president.  Now that it's over, and a $3 million buyout has been reached, two things are clear.

 

Bob Huggins is gone.  And Nancy Zimpher is on trial.  Heavy criticism of the 58-year-old president, who came to UC nearly two years ago, began in May, when Zimpher decided not to to extend Huggins' contract and left him with just two years to coach. Critics were harsh then - Huggins fans booed Zimpher during a speech on Fountain Square - and they've become even more brutal.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050828/NEWS01/508280395

UC opens two new humanities research sites

Post staff report

 

Humanities research at the University of Cincinnati moved into the big leagues Wednesday as the university opened two new facilities for humanities research and announced that funding for humanities research was being increased to $1.41 million a year.

 

With the new level of funding, UC compares favorably with other U.S. institutions in terms of support for the humanities, university officials said.  For instance, the entire University of California system supports its collective humanities research center with just over $2 million annually.

 

With 10 schools in that system, that funding would come to about $200,000 for each university if evenly distributed among them, UC officials said.  Stanford University spends $1.4 million a year on humanities center-based scholarship and research, Penn State University spends $300,000 and Ohio State University spends $100,000.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050915/NEWS01/509150364

Beautiful it's vital that the educational fabric of UC strengthen, this is key.

Research, technology commercialization up at UC

 

The University of Cincinnati and its affiliates reached a milestone in research funding for fiscal 2005 with $332 million. And the school continues to see positive gains in technology transfer.  The all-time high funding level was revealed at the UC Board of Trustees meeting today, and the figure is 3.8 percent higher than 2004's $320 million.

 

The awards are significant given the national backdrop of tightening research funding. Since 2001, UC's research enterprise has grown b6 more than $100 million.  Sandra Degen, acting vice president for research at UC, said the college managed to increase its funding pot despite cuts at large national funding organizations.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/09/26/daily14.html

Zimpher prioritizes goals for UC|21

New budget committee built

By: Michael Rovito  Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: News

 

University of Cincinnati President Nancy Zimpher outlined in an e-mail sent to UC staff members Feb. 13 her plan for creating a new budgetary committee and increasing administrator presence in Columbus to support what she calls "the ambitious goals of UC|21."

 

"While we are making significant progress through enrollment management, data-driven decision-making and increased entrepreneurial programming, much work remains," Zimpher wrote in the e-mail.  University Spokesman Greg Hand said Monday that the influence for the restructuring came out of the ongoing attempt to implement UC|21 and place academics at the center of budgetary issues.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/paper693/news/2006/02/22/News/Zimpher.Prioritizes.Goals.For.Uc21-1622632.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

Is this the grasscat only thread? lol!!!

i know a lot of people hate this lady for the way she handled the bob huggins situation, but in my opinion, there is a bigger picture to see here.  it seems she is doing a good job at prioritizing the universities goals in attempts to make it a stronger academic institution.  i will give up successful basketball any day for a more prestigious, academically sound school any day. 

i know a lot of people hate this lady for the way she handled the bob huggins situation, but in my opinion, there is a bigger picture to see here.  it seems she is doing a good job at prioritizing the universities goals in attempts to make it a stronger academic institution.  i will give up successful basketball any day for a more prestigious, academically sound school any day. 

I completely agree.

I guess I am not the only one who likes/agrees with Nancy Zimpfer.  She has done a wonderful job, in my opinion, at turning around this university.

 

-Enrollment is on the rise

-Academics are improving

-Overall donations/sponsorships are up

-Uptown is encountering a massive renaisance

-Student satisfaction is up

-Newly approved UC transportation network

-Newly approved university smoking ban

-New lighting standard initiative underway for campus/surrounding areas

-A more vibrant campus after dark

-SAFE campus

-Many top programs nationaly (Architecture, Industrial Design, Urban Planning, Interior Design, CCM altogether, etc.)

 

I could probably continue, but I think you get the idea.  If you would like more info please feel free to contact me!

I have a really good feeling about the direction UC is headed.  I already hear comments from alums to the effect that it's a totally different, better institution than it was 10 years ago.  The massive investment in the campus facilities and the surrounding area is generating plenty of positive attention. 

^ I agree, I just wish there were more to do on and around campus. It can get pretty boring here.

I don't want to sound rude, but there are tons of things to do in this city...what kinds of things are you into, what would you want to have available that is missing?

^ I wasn't referring to The city of Cincinnati as a whole as being boring just the area right around UC, stuff that is within walking distance. For my friends and I and others like us there is really no where to just hang out anymore just the dorms and TUC before all its restaurants close at 6. I would like to see maybe a movie theatre and a sit-down restaurant like Denny's/I-hop that stays open all night so after party's or late night studying you could have a place to eat. Right now after TUC closes, there are only a few places. Things like that on and around campus would keep people on campus more and make things more fun, instead of the place dying at 4pm.

Well there was Perkin's, and Frisch's on short Vine, and Steak and Egg on Clifton and of course In the Wood on McMillan/Taft, but hey've all been closed in the past decade.  Denny's and Steak and Egg were all-night coffee shops ... something every university needs!

Mov2Ohio, have you ever been to BaBa Budan's? It's a great place to hang out. I think it doesn't close until 1 a.m. throughout the week and then 10 p.m. on Sunday. It is a bar/coffee shop on McMillan.

 

http://www.cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051116/ENT0104/511160301/-1/2for20

And lots of people walk from the gaslight area to class every day.  It's really not that far to walk, and it's got a movie theater (with actual intelligent movies too, which often appeals to college folks), a skyline open until 4am or so, Sitwell's coffee shop which I'm sure is open late, a couple bars if you're of age, a couple cheap eats places, etc.  Then if you're up for spending $1 each way, the busses will get you anywhere you want to go.  One of the coolest days I spent as a freshman at CCM was taking a bus downtown to meet a girl at the downtown parks...we walked across the old Central bridge to a riverboat restaurant, then took a bus back to her place in Norwood...it was a great time.

With the new transportation system being set up and finalized as we speak...you dont have to stay in/around UC.  You now have an option the new transit system will take students (for free) to various spots around the city and return them to campus.  Some destinations include:

 

Main St. (downtown)

Newport on the Levee

Mt. Adams

Mt. Lookout

This also takes you all over Uptown (the main service of the routes)

 

This is still somewhat preliminary but interest has been very high...and the initial test route (SW Shuttle) has had high ridership thus far.

From Skyline to Baba budans is 1 mile, so from campus to the gas light is about a 1/2 mile, I think the thing for some of the students is that the dorms are on the east side of campus. Plus IMHO it take till about spring time freshman year before you really start to explore the area around campus, and get comfortable with it, especially if your from out side the city.

I've been to a few of the places mentioned above, but not very often. I think one problem is students from out of town (like me) that live in the dorms just don't really know what is around and close and thus feel as if there is nothing to do that's close.

 

I can't wait for the transportation system to finally get going, that should make Cincinnati alot more accessible.

^One of the great things about being new to a city is getting to explore something completely new...you can print a Cincinnati map off the internet, then go to http://www.sorta.com/ and figure out how to get somewhere and back...costs a couple bucks, and it's a little adventure...

UC, neighborhood getting even better

Other voices: John Cuppoletti

 

Some people have written articles in this newspaper and elsewhere about the impact of the decision that resulted in the University of Cincinnati losing its longtime men's basketball coach. While some have been fair, others have been somewhat extreme. With that in mind and as chair of UC's Faculty Senate, I want to share a few observations.

 

In the 20 years that I have been a teacher and researcher at UC, many things have changed. We now have a beautiful new campus. The center of the new campus is MainStreet, with one of the most impressive collections of architecture on any American campus.

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports on the full story.

he's and idiot!  basketball runs the world!!!!!!..........jk.  he is absolutely right.  great game today though!

he's and idiot!  basketball runs the world!!!!!!..........jk.  he is absolutely right.  great game today though!

 

Heck yeah....it was an awesome game.  Love being there, only missed one game all year.

 

GO CATS!!!

I agree, excellent game! Can't beat 5th row!

Zimpher gives report card to board

Thomas Demeropolis  Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: News

 

The winds of change are blowing at the University of Cincinnati, and the gusts picked up steam at Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting, the first of the school year.  President Nancy Zimpher, UC Foundation Chairman Jeffrey Williams and others presented changes to the university's academic plan, financial plan and administrative organization to the board.

 

Zimpher presented the board with her UC|21 report, complete with an actual report card-like hand out. She went over the six goals of UC|21 briefly, noting highlights, completed goals and areas that need more progress.  For the goal of placing students at the center, Zimpher said student satisfaction is up.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2006/09/27/News/Zimpher.Gives.Report.Card.To.Board-2309729.shtml?norewrite200609281941&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

wahoo....woo.  go uc.  uc's success is so vital to cincy's success as well. 

Task force prepares for change at UC

Students discuss, question roll of diversity at university

Thomas Demeropolis Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: News

 

Members of the University of Cincinnati's Diversity Task Force presented some of their initial findings Wednesday night to Student Government.  Mitchel Livingston, UC's vice president of Student Affairs and Services and Lou Bilionis, Dean of the College of Law, presented the work the UC|21 Diversity Task Force has done so far and opened up the floor for questions and comments from Student Government members.

 

"We wanted to make sure we are reaching out, so we can hear from them and share our timetable," Bilionis said.  Bilionis, who serves as the chair of the task force's steering committee, explained the five areas the task force has been focusing its efforts on.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2006/10/26/News/Task-Force.Prepares.For.Change.At.Uc-2402010.shtml?norewrite200610280139&sourcedomain=www.newsrecord.org

>Livingston, who serves on two of the task force's five subcommittees,

 

Pffph.  This whole article is a parody of itself. 

 

>Some students wanted specific ideas the committee has come up with for increasing diversity at UC, but both Bilionis and Livingston said it is to early to give examples.

 

A great example of the infallibility of decision by committee.

 

 

>"This is an inclusive process," Bilionis said. "And to give specific ideas would betray the inclusive process. This is still a work in progress."

 

This guy is a natural!

 

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

UC extends Zimpher contract

BY LORI KURTZMAN | March 27, 2007

 

Calling the move both a “vote of confidence” and an “investment in leadership,” the University of Cincinnati trustees on Tuesday extended President Nancy Zimpher’s contract until 2012.  “We want her to stay,” said trustees chairman Jeff Wyler, crediting Zimpher with raising the academic profile and reputation of UC along with its enrollment and donor support in her nearly four-year tenure there.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS01/303270027

UC considers tuition freeze

Zimpher questions whether school can afford governor's request for cap

BY DAN MONK | March 30, 2007

 

The University of Cincinnati is pushing for a better deal from Ohio Gov, Ted Strickland, who offered Ohio universities a 7 percent funding boost if they agree to freeze tuition rates next year and limit increases to 3 percent the year after that.

 

"We're still running the numbers," UC President Nancy Zimpher said prior to a meeting of UC trustees March 27. "We can't promise something that is not fiscally responsible."  Zimpher said UC has a "good working relationship" with the governor's top education advisers and has explored different scenarios that could enable UC to make the tuition-freeze pledge.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/04/02/story4.html

Well the academics just seem to keep getting better...the recognitions keep on coming as well:

 

UC pediatrics ranked No. 3

BY PEGGY O'FARRELL | [email protected]

April 1, 2007

 

UPTOWN - The latest issue of "U.S. News & World Report" ranks the pediatrics department at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine third among the nation's graduate schools.

 

The ranking was based on votes from medical school deans and senior faculty at 128 schools.

 

Finishing first and second, respectively, were the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

 

UC's pediatric department ranked fourth in the magazine's 2006 survey.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/NEWS0102/704010359/1058/NEWS01

Pretty good company to be in; I can get used to these kinds of comparisons...

 

1. University of Pennsylvania

2. Harvard University

3. University of Cincinnati

UC closes budget gap, boosts enrollment

May 23, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

 

The University of Cincinnati will see a 13 percent jump in freshman enrollment this fall, boosting the school's total enrollment to more than 36,000, UC trustees were told today.  That news was coupled with a budget update that concluded UC will close its 2007 fiscal year "within a rounding error" of breaking even.

 

"It's a great story," said Monica Rimai, senior vice president for administration and finance at UC, who identified several cost-cutting initiatives that the university used to close what was estimated last spring to be a $27 million budget deficit.

 

Read full article here:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/05/21/daily21.html

Another positive enrollment trend is that 72 percent of incoming freshmen are planning to live on campus or in housing developments affiliated with UC

 

what is the normal amount?  UC has always seemed to have a large commuter student body

I thought it was higher than 72 percent lol.

72% actually is higher than what I thought it would be.  I would have thought that commuters made up a larger share (given the strong commuter dynamic present at UC).  It's good to hear that the budget is getting worked out, enrollment is going up, and the amount of people living on/around campus is going up!

Are strafford heights, McMillan manor, and the various frat houses the properties that are affiliated with uc?

I read that half the students at UC are commuters. I figured freshmen would be a very high percentage for sure since UC requires all freshman to live on campus if they're not living with their parents.

Are strafford heights, McMillan manor, and the various frat houses the properties that are affiliated with uc?

 

You can only live in University Park as a UC student. I'm pretty sure it's the same with Stratford. They're basically just dorms. Don't know about McMillan Manor, it seems more like traditional apartments to me. I checked out UPA, it was 550 a month per PERSON to share a 1bdroom. The apt. couldn't have been any more than 300 sq. feet! And there's RAs, 250 dollar application fee, high cost for replacement keys, etc. Sadly, it's the same price as the crappy dorms though.

You can only live in University Park as a UC student. I'm pretty sure it's the same with Stratford. They're basically just dorms. Don't know about McMillan Manor, it seems more like traditional apartments to me.

 

Are you sure about that...it was my understanding that they were open to other individuals, but typically only attract students.  I'm not positive, but that was my understanding.  I kind of like the privatizing of the student housing that is occurring around UC...it's making the community a better place in my opinion by cleaning up deteriorating areas.

Both UP and Stratford require residents to be students at The university, although at stratford you are also allowed to be a student at cincy state and live there

Yeah, aside from the frat houses, they're just new dorms, and with UC's property already being really dense, its a great way to sort of expand campus and make the neighborhood look nicer at the same time.

UC running out of slots

For first time, new students might have to wait to enroll

BY KIMBALL PERRY | June 19, 2007

 

If you're one of the more than 4,300 who hope to be incoming freshmen at the University of Cincinnati's main campus, you'd better let UC know soon - or you could wind up on a waiting list.  This is the first time in UC's history that it has had a wait list for students it has accepted.

 

UC sent a letter last week to 3,600 prospective freshmen who have been accepted but have not confirmed that they will be attending UC. The letter informs them that they have until June 29 to confirm their enrollment at UC or face the wait list.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070619/NEWS0102/706190366/1077/COL02

thats good news that more people want to go to UC, but is this frosh class their best ever?  I am sure that is their goal but with their budget woes, it wouldnt surprise me that they eased their requirements.  I know here at osu, every incoming class has been the best class academically for years now.  and the crazy thing is we still increase enrollment every year as well!  go bucks!  :-)  ( i am going to be a bearcat this fall so go cats too!)

Basically the developments were a way to add dorms without have to go to the state for money. Get some outside capital working for the university. There is all sorts of weirdness about funding for dorms in Ohio. At Toledo, they battled over it quite a bit.

^You're spot on...UC has been suffering from a shortage of on-campus living options.  So they have managed to create more living options in the immediate vicinity around campus with private dollars.  Sure UC has help foot a lot of the bill, but not all of it; and that is an improvement over what they had been doing.  Plus they are cleaning up the area around campus at the same time.  What's that they say something about two birds with one stone...

I think we would all feel a little better about it if they hadn't screwed the pooch completely on their plans for the rest of the McMillan/Calhoun corridor. The plans for the part of project were downright laughable. 300k condos across from the university, right...

I don't think so...the idea was/is to market many of these owner-occupied units to professionals at the university, hospitals, EPA, zoo and what not.  There are a lot of high paying highly educated jobs in that area.  Uptown Consortium's goals are to get those professionals living in the community.