ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s Board of Trustees approved a resolution during the Dec. 13 board meeting that moves forward the university’s exploration of building a multi-use arena. Trustees also approved a new Quantum Computing major, which would be the first of its kind in Ohio.

The is expected to launch in August 2025 and is believed to be not only the first in Ohio, but among the first of its type nationwide to focus on the software aspects of quantum computing.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we successfully complete another phase in the approval process for our Bachelor of Science in Quantum Computing degree," Miami President Gregory Crawford said. "This has been developed with great input from researchers from Cleveland Clinic and members of the industry, and we look forward to delivering an innovative and comprehensive curriculum and continuing to build partnerships within quantum computing."

Trustees also approved a resolution, which authorizes the awarding of a contract for architectural and engineering services in regard to a potential new multi-use arena. The award is for an amount up to $3.5 million should the design of the project become fully authorized.

The university recently appointed a committee to review potential arena locations. The committee is working closely with the Department of Planning, Architecture, and Engineering, which has identified numerous sites on campus for consideration. 

A survey is planned to solicit feedback from the Miami community on feasible sites, with a goal of making a site recommendation to President Crawford by early 2025. A site for the potential new arena has yet to be determined.

An architecture/engineering team will provide a feasibility study to the committee, eventually to perform programming and a schematic design with appropriate cost estimates, renderings, and documents necessary to solicit donations toward the construction of the arena, should the board fully authorize its construction.

Millett Hall, the university’s current arena, opened in 1968 and would require more than $80 million in renovations in the near term. It is the home of Miami men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball programs, as well as the site for a number of sports camps, community events, and more.

During the Academic and Student Affairs committee meeting, Provost Elizabeth Mullenix presented how Miami is evolving its curriculum to meet current ºÚÁÏÉçÇø needs. She discussed how Miami continually reviews areas of lesser or declining ºÚÁÏÉçÇø interest, resulting in situations where certain programs may be refreshed, restructured, or discontinued, and course sections may be canceled.

The process enables the university to continually update, innovate, and add new academic offerings, as well as add capacity within existing areas to meet ºÚÁÏÉçÇø demand, which ultimately helps our ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to thrive in their respective pursuits. Mullenix said these decisions are made to ensure ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs gain skills in the classroom that will support their future endeavors and workforce demands.

Other trustee action items included:

• The approval of six professor emeritus, one teaching professor emeritus, one lecturer emerita, two administrator emerita, and one administrator emeritus;
• The approval of naming recommendations for Coach Carolyn Condit Court and Mike Norton Coaches Room; and
• Authorization of contracts for the Tunnel ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Replacement 2025 project.