LAWTON -- University of Oklahoma students will soon have more opportunities to study in a foreign environment after the Board of Regents approved the lease and renovation of a former Italian convent Wednesday.
The building was the home of nuns from the 14th century until only four years ago, and after a $4.7 million renovation will house OU faculty, staff and students for study abroad experiences.
"This is part of our effort to double our number of students studying abroad," OU President David Boren said to members of the board Wednesday afternoon at Cameron University.
The building will provide a place for as many as 300 OU students each year to live and study with OU professors in Arezzo, Tuscany. It will be a safer study abroad experience in a more controlled environment in an effort to encourage more students to study abroad.
"Students, and ... parents especially are much more comfortable with that situation," Boren said.
Boren said having students live in an OU community with direct access to OU personnel will help students "sort of break this barrier and get over their fear of going to another place."
About 700 OU students study abroad each year, and Boren said he has made it his goal to double that number in the next several years.
"We are not meeting our obligation to our students if we are not making it possible for as many students as possible to study in another country," he said.
The task of renovating the building, first constructed in the 14th century and renovated and added to until the 18th century, will take several years. The site will be available for its first academic program in spring 2013.
Studying abroad at the building in Arezzo will cost about the same as it does to study in Norman, with the added expense of transportation to and from Italy, Boren said. He said the university will operate the Arezzo program at a break-even level, not trying to make the program profitable.
Funding for the project will come first from private gifts -- the fundraising drive already has raised more than $3 million -- and if any supplemental income is needed it will come from discretionary affinity card and Coca Cola Pouring Rights contract reserves.
"None from appropriated funds," Boren assured, "even if we have to subsidize it slightly."
When asked about the wisdom of renovating an Italian building with 5 percent budget cuts coming from the state this year, Boren said it makes financial sense to lock in a price on the building now.
"We think it's a very justifiable investment," he said.
He said the Italian economy is struggling just like the U.S. one, and OU has gotten a much better price for the building than it would have five years ago.
The OU Foundation will lease the former convent because it is a foreign property, and OU will sub-lease it from the foundation. The contract includes a locked-in price for the building if OU chooses to buy it in the next 18 years, Boren said.
Also at the meeting Wednesday, Boren was honored by the board for his 15 years of service as president with a formal commendation.
The board approved personnel changes as well.
Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Regent's Professor of meteorology and Roger and Sherry Teigen Presidential Professor, was promoted from associate vice president to vice president for research. His title of WeatherNews Chair in Applied Meteorology was changed to WeatherNews Chair emeritus. His salary was increased from $209,846 per year to $223,305 per year effective Nov. 1.
Matthew W. Hamilton was promoted from associate vice president for enrollment and student financial services and registrar (associate vice president) to vice president for enrollment and student financial services and registrar (vice president). He received a raise from $147,084 per year to $150,084 per year effective Nov. 1.
Julianna Parker Jones 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
Local news
OU goes Old World
Regents approve lease, renovation of Tuscan monastery
- Local news
-
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
Norman residents most likely will not notice any property tax increase from bonds awarded to an underwriter by the Norman City Council on Tuesday night, city Finance Director Anthony Francisco said....
-
Police link man to multiple rapes
Cleveland County prosecutors are expected to file as many as 20 felony charges ranging from burglary to first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy against a former OU student who police say confessed to sexual assaults on Norman college ...
-
Preliminary hearing set for former OU professor
By Joel Pruett On Tuesday, the preliminary hearing for a former University of Oklahoma professor suspected of rape and sexual abuse of and lewd acts with children was set for May 10....
-
School board results
The unofficial results of yesterday night’s election are in, with no close races and no reported complications with new machinery and ballots. Voters largely favored incumbents where applicable. Results are as follows: · Lexington ...
-
Pedestrian in serious condition
A 64-year-old Norman man improved from critical condition to serious condition Tuesday night. He remains in OU Medical Center after being struck Monday while crossing 12th Avenue Northeast, north of Main Street....
-
Pekingese becomes America’s top dog
NEW YORK — This Peke was at his peak. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, becoming America’s dog to the delight of an adoring crowd that called his name....
-
Castiglione speaks at All Saints
Earlier this month, Catholic schools nationwide celebrated Catholic Schools week with various themed activities and fundraisers....
-
NPS to purchase radios
The FCC killed the wideband star, and it’s about to cost Norman Public Schools Schools up to $200,000....
-
Marc Heitz raises nearly $32K for hungry children
Spinning around an ice skating rink, many Norman residents contributed to raising nearly $32,000 to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma during the past holiday season....
-
City council considers transportation bonds
Tonight at 6:30, the Norman City Council will vote on whether to approve bids on transportion bonds totaling $33 million. If approved, the bond package will go to voters on June 26. The council also will consider whether to commission a ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
