While The Ohio State University campus quiets down in the summer months for many, it’s anything but slow for Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) and the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI). OTDI spent the summer transforming classrooms into modern, tech-enabled learning spaces, while FOD kept campus running smoothly with essential maintenance and upgrades.
At Postle Hall, crews refurbished air handlers that were reaching the end of their useful life cycle. The project, which is part of a long-term plan to rehab all 11 units in the building, ensures reliable temperature control for classrooms, lecture halls and laboratory spaces. Maintaining consistent air quality and temperatures is essential for both students in a learning environment and for projects involving the care of animals.
In addition to major mechanical upgrades, FOD teams tackled a wide range of cleaning projects to prepare classrooms and common spaces for fall semester. Carpet and flooring were deep cleaned in buildings including Dulles Hall, Cockins Hall and Scott Laboratory, where restrooms also received a full scrub with high-powered disinfectant equipment designed to reach every surface.
At Knowlton Hall, all eight restrooms underwent major fixture updates. Teams snaked drains, replaced faucets, chrome p-traps and toilet seats, and installed new auto-flush valves. They also added individual hot and cold-water shutoffs to every sink, a change that will allow future repairs without disruption to water service building wide.
Meanwhile, OTDI’s Learning and Collaborative Environments (LCE) team partnered with Facilities Design and Construction (FDC) to oversee multiple classroom transformations across campus. In Mendenhall Laboratory, 10 classrooms were fully renovated with fresh paint, new carpet, improved lighting and ceilings, mobile furniture, white boards and upgraded AV technology. The LCE team also led a smaller refresh in the Mendenhall lecture hall, adding new ceiling tiles, reupholstered chairs, paint and carpet. Technology upgrades included a new AV system and accessibility improvements such as height-adjustable podium and Mobile Connect, the new assistive listening solution new available in eight large lecture halls. With Mobile Connect, any student can connect to room audio through their own mobile device and headphones, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in the learning environment.
At Hitchcock Hall, the second largest lecture hall in the classroom pool also saw major AV improvements. The LCE team installed new speakers and a high-brightness projector, boosting image clarity dramatically. The projected brightness increased from 1.9 lux to 21.5 lux, an upgrade students can truly see.