The Miami University Board of Trustees adopted resolutions to remove four buildings on Spring Street during the summer of 2026 and approved the Morris, Emerson and Tappan Hall renovations during the Dec. 12 meeting.
The renovations, part of the Long-Range Housing Master Plan, will span three summers starting in 2026 and are not set to exceed $90 million.
On a similar timeline to that, Williams Hall, Wells Hall, Hanna House and Joyner House will be destroyed in the summer of 2026 to reduce Miami’s deferred maintenance liability, reduce operating costs and create an “optimal future academic building site,” according to the meeting minutes.
Demolition will cost $7 million. The project will also convert Warfield Hall, MacMillan Hall and Armstrong Student Center from off-campus steam to heating hot water loops.
According to the meeting minutes, this will provide redundancy, resiliency and opportunity for more efficient operation of the systems.
Student Body President Danny Martin also addressed the board with the annual Associated Student Government (ASG) update.
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Martin touched on legislations passed in ASG, how student relationships with the City of Oxford have improved and student concerns regarding the Cook Field sports district.
“There are quite a few students who are displeased with the entire notion that asked me to express their concerns over the loss of recreational space overall campus design and look, but also with just concerns revolving parking traffic,” Martin said at the Dec. 12 meeting.
A team of Miami students, faculty and alumni conducted a new survey with findings from 3,347 members of the Miami community, including students and their parents, alumni, faculty and staff, local residents, and business owners, according to its website.
It found that 44% of respondents see Cook Field as very important, 36% somewhat important and 6% not important at all. When asked about the impact of its relocation, specifically regarding athletic events, 29% said they would use it a lot less, 7% said they would use it somewhat less, 46% said they would use it the same amount and 5% said they would use it a lot more.
In contrast, the survey found that 32% said Millett Hall is not at all important to them and 10% said it was very important. The full study can be found on its website.
During the Finance and Audit Committee resolutions and ordinances, trustee Ryan Burgess said there will be a Cook Field arena update at the February meeting, where an arena plan will be prepared for the board's consideration. He said the goal is for it to be ready for the 2028-2029 basketball season.
In an email to The Miami Student, David Creamer wrote that the Trustees will decide at the next meeting whether to move forward with the design as presented, to request modifications in the plan or to pause the project and not proceed.
The board also approved a masters in health and science education in the Educational Psychology Department, housed in the College of Education, Health and Society.
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be February 26 and 27 in the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center.
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