General Information
Mission of Miami University
The mission of Miami University is to preserve, add to, evaluate, and transmit the accumulated knowledge of the centuries; to develop critical thinking, extend the frontiers of knowledge, and serve society; and to provide an environment conducive to effective and inspired teaching and learning, promote professional development of faculty, and encourage scholarly research and creativity of faculty and students.
Miami's primary concern is its students. This concern is reflected in a broad array of efforts to develop the potential of each student. The university endeavors to individualize the educational experience. It provides personal and professional guidance, and it offers opportunities for its students to achieve understanding and appreciation not only of their own culture but of the cultures of others as well. Selected undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs of quality should be offered with the expectation of students achieving high levels of competence and understanding and developing personal value systems. Since the legislation creating Miami University stated that a leading mission of the university was to promote "good education, virtue, religion, and morality," the university has been striving to emphasize the supreme importance of dealing with problems related to values.
Miami is committed to serve the community, state, and nation. It offers access to higher education, including continuing education, for those who can benefit from it, at a reasonable cost, without regard for race, creed, sex, or age. It educates men and women for responsible, informed citizenship, as well as for meaningful employment. It provides both disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the pursuit of knowledge and to the solving of problems. It sponsors a wide range of cultural and educational activities that have significance beyond the campus and the local community.
Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgement and the acceptance of personal responsibility.
Brief History
An act of Congress signed by George Washington in 1792 stipulated that a university be located in the Miami Valley north of the Ohio River. The official act to establish Miami University was passed on Feb. 17, 1809. Miami is the second oldest state university west of the Alleghenies and takes its name from the tribe that once inhabited the area known as Ohio's Miami Valley.
Delayed by the War of 1812, instruction began in 1824 with a president, two faculty, and 20 students. Enrollment grew rapidly, reaching 250 by 1839.
In the 1830s, William Holmes McGuffey wrote the first of his Eclectic Readers while a Miami professor. Among the many talented young students was Benjamin Harrison who graduated in 1852; he was elected the 23rd president of the United States in 1888.
A few years after the Civil War, with changed conditions and advancing prices, the income of the university became insufficient to support its work. Miami closed in 1873, opening 12 years later when resources had accumulated and the state of Ohio began a policy of appropriating public funds for support.
Coeducation began in 1888. By 1903 there were more than 100 women on campus—one third of the total enrollment. Our first African American student, Nelly Craig, graduated in 1905.
Many other milestones have been reached. The concept of artist-in-residence began here. Beginning in 1835, four national fraternities were founded here, giving Miami one nickname, "Mother of Fraternities." Another nickname is Cradle of Coaches, referring to the coaching success of many former players and coaches. Ohio's first intercollegiate football game was played at Miami in 1888 against the University of Cincinnati.
In the beginning, the course of study at Miami was strictly classical. Over the years new academic divisions were added to meet the changing needs of students and society: education in 1902, business in 1927, fine arts in 1929, graduate programs in 1947, applied science in 1959, and interdisciplinary studies in 1974.
Western College, a 120-year-old private institution adjoining Oxford campus, merged with Miami in 1974 and became the site of interdisciplinary studies (Western College Program).
Miami's Middletown and Hamilton campuses opened in 1966 and 1968, respectively. Also in 1968, Miami opened a European center, now named John E. Dolibois European Center, in Luxembourg.
A number of campus buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including Elliott, Stoddard, and Peabody halls and the Western College for Women Historic District. The McGuffey Museum is a National Historic Landmark.
About Miami
Miami is a state-assisted university of Ohio. Approximately 1,400 graduate students and 15,000 undergraduates are enrolled at the Oxford campus. About 225 of the undergraduates attend one or two semesters at the John E. Dolibois European Center in Differdange, Luxembourg. Two commuter campuses in nearby cities, Hamilton and Middletown, each enroll more than 2,600 additional students.
Academic Divisions and Programs
Miami has seven academic divisions: College of Arts and Science, Richard T. Farmer School of Business, School of Education and Allied Professions, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Fine Arts, School of Interdisciplinary Studies (Western College Program), and the Graduate School. Programs leading to associate's, bachelor's, master's, Specialist in Education, and doctoral degrees are offered. Graduate certificates are also available. Undergraduate certificate programs are offered at the regional campuses.
Graduate degree programs are offered by all of the divisions except for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. A graduate degree is also offered by the Institute of Environmental Sciences. Major areas, degrees, and certificates are listed in the front of this Bulletin.
Location
The central campus of Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, just 35 miles north of Cincinnati and 45 miles southwest of Dayton. Both Cincinnati and Dayton International airports are within an hour's drive. U.S. Route 27 and S.R. 73 are the main highways to Oxford.
Oxford is a classic college town with a population of about 9,000 (excluding students). Uptown, adjacent to campus, are small shops, a movie theatre, and local eateries.
The university covers more than 1,900 acres in Oxford. Preservation of nature throughout the campus and community coupled with Miami's architectural continuity—modified Georgian design—explains why the campus is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Midwest.
Transportation
All of Miami's buildings and facilities are within walking distance, and uptown Oxford is nearby.
The Miami Metro bus service runs regular routes across campus and around town. Bus information brochures are available in the front lobby of Shriver Center; the information hotline is 513-523-8188.
Special bus service to Chicago and the Cleveland area is arranged for fall and spring breaks, Thanksgiving, and winter break. Commercial van service is available to airports in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Indianapolis. For transportation information, see bulletin boards located on the lower levels of Shriver Center and King Library or contact the Parents Office at 513-529-3436.
University Resources
Many of these offices and programs offer information online. Visit Miami University's homepage at www.muohio.edu.
Career Planning
Office of Career Services
www.muohio.edu/careers/
241 Hoyt Hall, 513-529-3831
The Office of Career Services provides services ranging from individual career advising to on-campus interviews with employers representing business, industry, education, government, and public services. Reference materials and career information are also available.
To receive full services, register online via the Office of Career Services Web site during your fall semester prior to graduation. Credential services are provided for students pursuing teaching or administrative positions in education. Your academic department is another good source of helpful information.
Composition/Rhetoric Forum
Department of English
220 Johnston Hall, Middletown Campus, 513-727-3283
The Composition Pedagogy & Rhetoric Research Forum is a group of graduate students and faculty committed to research in composition and rhetoric and to improving the quality of writing instruction.
Members exchange ideas, plan composition/rhetoric-related activities and projects, and collaborate on grant proposals. The center supports graduate student research and professional involvement, sponsors writing conferences and workshops, and invites speakers to campus.
Computing and Information Services
www.muohio.edu/itservices/
IT Services offices:
Support Desk, 324 Gaskill Hall, 513-529-7900
302 Hoyt Hall, 513-529-5322
340 Gaskill Hall, 513-529-6013
IT Services Learning Technologies Centers:
Gaskill Hall, 513-529-9742
MacCracken Hall, 513-529-6069
Information Technology Services (IT Services) provides facilities and services in support of the application of technology for academic, research, and administrative needs.
Excellent computing facilities are available to students. Miami's technology environment is comprised of more than 1,000 computers: central Unix systems, high-end workstations, multimedia workstations, and microcomputers. Available software includes programming languages, graphics, numerical analysis, simulation, data management tools, and statistical analysis packages.
All students and faculty have e-mail accounts for Internet access. Disk space is provided on centrally supported systems, on the network, and on divisional servers.
Learning Technologies Centers are equipped with Windows and Mac OS microcomputers, printers, scanners, and general-purpose software. Graduate students are encouraged to visit Area 351, Gaskill Hall, for consultation about research projects that require computing.
Each academic division operates its own computing laboratory. Most departments also have computing laboratories dedicated to research or other specific uses.
Media Services in Gaskill Hall provides many services for graduate students. Services include graphic design, photography, slide and overhead transparency production, laminating, offset printing, and copying. Teaching assistants can also reserve material and equipment for university classes.
Continuing Education Programs
Office of Continuing Education
www.muohio.edu/ce
Joyner House, 513-529-1508
The Office of Continuing Education (OCE) offers credit and noncredit programs and services and serves as a contact for university community outreach, service, and development.
Credit programs include summer sessions, domestic and study abroad credit workshops, the Study Abroad Workshop Scholarship Program, and distance education.
Noncredit programs include the Austrian Summer Student Exchange Program, development and coordination of select conferences and programs, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, Elderhostel, and open enrollment courses including Ed2Go Web-based computer and personal development opportunities.
Counseling Service
Health Services Center, 513-529-4634
Professionally trained counselors and psychologists at the Student Counseling Service offer individual and group counseling, testing, consultation, and outreach programs. All interviews are confidential.
Workshops are scheduled to assist students in dealing with issues such as career decision making, stress and relaxation training, interpersonal relationships, and performance anxiety.
Disability Resources
19 Campus Avenue Building
www.muohio.edu/odr
513-529-1541 (TTY accessible)
Through the Office of Disability Resources (ODR), reasonable accommodations and support services are available to any qualified student, faculty, or staff member who has a documented disability. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, talking, hearing, seeing, or learning. To receive accommodations, individuals must identify themselves to ODR, provide documentation regarding their disabilities from a licensed professional, and sign paperwork designed to protect their confidentiality.
Services offered by ODR ensure access as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
For more information please refer to The Student Handbook online at www.muohio.edu/univpubs/handbook/, contact the director of the Office of Disability Resources, or visit www.muohio.edu/odr.
Graduate Student Associations
www.muohio.edu/graduateschool/
Graduate School
102 Roudebush Hall, 513-529-3734
The Graduate Student Association represents all graduate students and promotes their academic, social, and economic aims. It maintains open channels of communication with other student organizations and with academic and administrative units of the university.
The association sponsors a Travel Assistance Fund to reimburse graduate students for travel expenses to professional meetings, conventions, conferences, and workshops.
The Graduate Students of Color Association aids graduate students by sponsoring academic programming, social, and cultural events from a diverse perspective. It also serves as an avenue of communication with the Graduate School and as a liaison between students of color and the university.
Health Service
www.units.muohio.edu/saf/shs
Health Services Center
421 S. Campus Avenue, 513-529-3000 (TTY accessible)
Outpatient care facilities and services are provided. In addition to the staff, specialists in orthopedic surgery, radiology, and gynecology consult on a regular basis. Hospitalization and after-hours care are available at Oxford's McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital.
Graduate students enrolled for 12 or more credit hours receive unlimited care at the Health Service. Graduate students enrolled for less than 12 credit hours receive care if they have paid the full general fee.
There are minimal charges for laboratory procedures, surgical procedures, and x-rays. Prescribed medications can be purchased from the pharmacy.
Housing
www.hdg.muohio.edu/shmpshome
Student Housing and Meal Plan Services
111 Shriver Center, 513-529-5000
Limited on-campus housing is available for graduate students and students with spouses or children. Single graduate students may also apply to live in a residence hall or in Heritage Commons, the university's new student apartments; provisions are the same for graduate and undergraduate students.
Many graduate students rent private apartments in Oxford or neighboring areas. A list of Oxford rental property may be obtained from the Oxford Tenants Organization, 374 Shriver Center, 513-529-3439. Also, a weekly newspaper, the Oxford Press (513-523-4139), lists local apartment rentals in the classified ads.
International Education
www.units.muohio.edu/international
216 MacMillan Hall, 513-529-2512
Located in the Office of International Education, the International Student and Scholar Adviser coordinates programs and services to assist international students and scholars.
Libraries
www.lib.muohio.edu
King Library: 513-529-4141
Brill Science Library: Hughes Laboratories, 513-529-7200
Wertz Art and Architecture Library: 7 Alumni Hall, 513-529-6638
Amos Music Library: 120 Center for Performing Arts, 513-529-2299
Gardner-Harvey Library: Miami Middletown, 513-727-3221
Rentschler Library: Miami Hamilton, 513-785-3179
University Archives: Withrow Hall, 513-529-6720
Southwest Ohio Regional Depository:
Middletown campus, 513-727-3474
Miami University libraries include four libraries on the Oxford campus and one on each regional campus. King Library, the university's main library, contains collections in the humanities, social sciences, business, media, government documents, and rare books. Brill Science Library contains materials in the sciences, mathematics, technology, and a large map collection. Specialized libraries are Wertz Art and Architecture Library and Amos Music Library. University Archives houses historical records of the university and the Western College Archives houses the historical records of that institution prior to its assimilation by Miami University.
Oxford campus libraries contain more than 2.8 million volumes and government documents, 3 million microforms, more than 20,000 current periodicals and newspapers, more than 8,000 videos and 20,000 recordings, and over 109,000 maps. Each year, more than 35,000 volumes of books and periodicals are added to collections.
You can access library collections, as well as other university collections through MiamiLINK, the libraries' Web site, at www.lib.muohio.edu. This site provides access to nearly 200 research databases, articles from more than 14,000 electronic journals, and collections of more than 94,000 photographs. In addition, live online assistance is available through MiamiLINK during many weekday and evening hours.
Workshops and classes in using electronic resources are regularly offered. Subject specialists also teach classes about research resources and provide individualized assistance with research needs.
Miami is a member of OhioLINK, a consortium that includes libraries at more than 80 Ohio colleges and universities with more than 10 million unique titles. Books can be requested electronically through a shared library catalog and delivered to any OhioLINK institution library for convenient pickup. Graduate students can also borrow materials at OhioLINK university libraries with a valid Miami identification card. Interlibrary loan services can provide materials from non-OhioLINK libraries in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world.
Multicultural Student Enrichment
www.units.muohio.edu/saf/mse
115 Warfield Hall, 513-529-6504
Center for Black Culture and Learning:
30 Warfield Hall, 513-529-8353
The Office of Multicultural Student Enrichment addresses the special needs of multicultural students on campus by providing social, and cultural support and serving as an advocate for multicultural students of the University.
The Office of Multicultural Student Enrichment maintains the Center for Black Culture and Learning. The center is a resource for students; it serves as a focal point for interaction and exploration of cultural awareness, and supports programs and activities related to the African American experience as well as all multicultural students. The CBCL maintains a growing book and video collection, a computer resource lab, conference room, art display and meeting area, TV meeting lounge, and staff offices.
Museums
Art Museum: Patterson Avenue, 513-529-2232
www.muohio.edu/artmuseum/
The angular limestone and glass Art Museum, designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, houses a permanent international collection of more than 16,000 art objects. Changing exhibitions, free public lectures, gallery talks, performances, and special events are offered throughout the year.
Miami is the only public university in Ohio to have an art museum on its campus that is accredited by the American Association of Museums. Student internships and independent studies at the museum are available through several academic departments; volunteer work also provides opportunity for involvement.
William Holmes McGuffey Museum:
410 E. Spring Street, 513-529-8380
This house is a National Historic Landmark honoring William Holmes McGuffey and his Eclectic Readers, some of the most widely read school books in the world. A Miami faculty member from 1826 through 1836, McGuffey compiled the Readers while living here. McGuffey memorabilia, period furnishings, and items of Miami University history are displayed. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 1-5 pm. Closed on university holidays.
Science Museums include:
Anthropology Museum, 180 Upham Hall, 513-529-2628
Karl E. Limper Geology Museum, 8 Shideler Hall, 513-529-3220
Williard Sherman Turrell Herbarium, 79 Upham Hall,
513-529-2755
Robert A. Hefner Zoology Museum, 100 Upham Hall,
513-529-4617
Western College Museum:
Patterson Place, Patterson Avenue, 513-529-4400
Located on the northwest corner of the Western College for Women Historic District, this museum houses a permanent collection of furnishings from the former Western College (1853-1974). Patterson Place also serves as an office for the Western College Alumnae Association, Inc.
Ohio Writing Project
Department of English
302 Bachelor Hall, 513-529-5245
The Ohio Writing Project (OWP) is part of the National Writing Project, a network of 185 centers around the country designed to train teachers of writing and improve student writing. OWP offers summer workshops and conducts a year-long inservice program for teachers in the schools.
Parking and Transportation Services
www.muohio.edu/parking/
15 Campus Avenue Building, 513-529-8535
301 S. Campus Ave.
Graduate students may obtain a parking permit by applying online or in person at the Parking Office. Parking on campus is limited and many students choose to park in the Ditmer or West Millett parking lots, which are served by shuttle buses. The Miami Metro bus system is a popular means for students to get to campus and around town.
Information on visiting campus, policies for students who bring cars, and the Miami Metro bus system may be obtained by calling the Parking Office or by visiting our Web site at www.muohio.edu/parking.
Psychology Clinic
Department of Psychology
18 Benton Hall, 513-529-2423
The Department of Psychology, as part of its doctoral program in clinical psychology, operates this clinic. Psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and other mental health services are offered. There is a nominal fee. All records are confidential.
Recreational Sports
www.muohio.edu/recreationalsports/
Recreational Sports Center, 513-529-6868
The Recreational Sports Program provides a well-balanced assortment of activities and programs for the Miami campus and Oxford community. The main campus facility for recreation is the Recreation Sports Center (RSC), which is located on the south end of the campus. This 160,000 square foot facility was developed to provide an outlet for informal (drop-in) recreation. Its amenities include a two-story fitness center, three basketball/volleyball courts, an indoor soccer court, two exercise performance rooms, a 44 ft. high climbing wall and bouldering cave, a 50-meter swimming pool and dive well, a leisure pool, a 1/8 mile walking/jogging track, two racquetball courts, food court and vending lounge, and locker rooms. In addition, many other indoor and outdoor courts and playing fields across campus are available for student use.
Along with providing space for recreational activities, Recreational Sports also provides a wide variety of programs and classes for members and non-members including acquatic programs, group fitness programs, and personal training. The Outdoor Pursuit Center conducts outdoor trips for backpacking, climbing, and rafting in both regional and international locations
Intermural Sports runs over 45 intermural league and tournament activities in traditional sports as well as other diverse activities. The Club Sports program provides students with the opportunity to organize their own activity against other college club teams. Miami currently has over 40 club sports including soccer, rugby, equestrian, wrestling, martial arts, sailing, cycling, and weightlifting.
Full-time Oxford campus students receive a membership to the RSC through payment of the their General Fee, however, the above mentioned programs carry an additional cost.
Scripps Gerontology Center
www.scripps.muohio.edu
396 Upham Hall, 513-529-2914
The mission of the Scripps Gerontology Center is to understand the evolving issues of an aging society and provide leadership to enhance the lives of older adults, improve the quality of intergenerational relationships, and to meet the needs of an aging society. We accomplish this mission through research, education, and service.
Current research includes health, disability, and longevity; long-term care systems and services; workforce issues; caregiving; and demography. The center assists faculty and students with research proposals and projects related to aging and awards several graduate research assistantships each year.
The center provides administrative support to the university's academic programs in aging and offers a number of special events each year, including the P.K. Whelpton lecture, conferences, invited speakers, and a brown bag discussion series.
Scripps Research Library and Resource Center contains gerontology publications, audio-visual aids, and curriculum materials for faculty and graduate student use.
Veterans Affairs
www.muohio.edu/financialaid/
121 Campus Avenue Building, 513-529-8772
The Veterans Affairs Office, located in the Office of Student Financial Assistance, assists veterans and their dependents with education benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35 of Title 38; and Chapter 106 of Title 10 (Selected Reserve GI Bill). This office also coordinates educational, vocational, and personal counseling with the appropriate local, state, or federal agency. For information concerning VA education benefit eligibility, see the "Other Financial Assistance" section of this Bulletin or contact this office.
All recipients of VA education benefits should note that sprint courses are not considered full-semester courses for VA entitlement (pay) purposes. A limited number of Federal Work-Study jobs for eligible veterans as veteran peer counselors are available.
Women's Center
www.muohio.edu/womenscenter/
205 MacMillan Hall, 513-529-1510
The Women's Center serves the campus community by articulating equity issues, facilitating individual and collective empowerment, and advocating for institutional changes that will result in a more inclusive campus climate. The Center's Community Room is available for quiet study, networking, organizational meetings, and relaxing. The Center also offers programs on a variety of issues of special interest to women and contains an extensive resource collection, with books available for checkout. Free drop-in resource consultations with a campus psychologist and discussion/support groups are also available. Find out more about Women's Center programs and services by checking out the Center's Web site or by subscribing to WOMYTLK, the Women's Center's weekly electronic posting of news and events.
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