What makes this “Experience the Arts” residential learning community (RLC) so special?
The People
Fine Arts Freshmen -- Our students who choose this opportunity:
- want to continue to develop skills in the arts alongside other students with similar interests.
- want to make the most of their first quarter on campus by interacting with other Fine Arts students in a specialized living environment where the understanding of practice time, studio space and rehearsal needs are balanced with your social life and academic classroom study.
- are bright, curious, talented and eager to get a jump start on their college career by taking advantage of the specialized programs, resources and living accommodations we provide for you at Mackinnon Hall.
Fine Arts Upperclassmen—Our students who choose this opportunity:
- want to take advantage of the specialized rehearsal/studio spaces
- want to interact with other like-minded Fine Arts students
- can choose to train as Resident Assistants and opt to live in Mackinnon to work with our Fine Arts students.
Mackinnon Staff
The Resident Director of Mackinnon Hall along with her student Resident Assistants all work together to provide opportunities for students to fully participate in various University and social activities beyond the usual Fine Arts events our students attend.
- Evening cookouts with Mackinnon students and Fine Arts faculty/staff
- Free tickets and group attendance for selected fine and performing arts events
- Hip-hop workshop by a Resident Assistant dance major
- Painting a Mural in the Mackinnon basement—a collaboration between a class of studio painting students and residents of the Mackinnon RLC
- The most recent activity planned by the Mackinnon staff was a “Welcome Back to the Winter Quarter Social” held in the residence hall lobby, complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows, homemade cookies and brownies. What a great way to warm up, hang out with friends on a cold, wintery evening, and talk to Fine Arts faculty and staff who attended as well!
- Weekly tutoring/study led by Fine Arts Graduate Assistant and Fine Arts Resident Assistants
Special Residence Hall Facilities
Our brochure states “Living is an art at Mackinnon Hall” which sums up the experience you will have while enjoying the special spaces provided for you in this residence hall. Some of the amenities and advantages to Mackinnon Hall are listed below:
Need to complete a project for your art class and don’t want to stay at the art building late at night?
You can finish your work (or start it for that matter!) in the Mackinnon basement art studio. The secure, ventilated art studio has space for several students to work concurrently at different art stations. There are easels, a drafting table, natural lighting from windows, light stands, and storage space for you to work at your leisure and at a time that fits your schedule. You just get a key code for this locked area and stake out your spot!
Forgot to complete a computer project or ran out of time during the day to finish your 3-D design or drawing assignment?
You have access to the art computer room off the main lobby of Mackinnon to do your work. The computer is loaded with licensed software for your art courses and has a scanner attached for your use. The Instructional Technology Specialist for the College of Fine Arts is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this computer.
Need to stretch and warm-up before your class? Do you want to rehearse a new technique you learned or practice some challenging choreography for tomorrow’s class?
The large multipurpose room in the basement of Mackinnon is equipped with mirrors and mats for your rehearsal needs. You can section off a part of the space with curtains so your warm-ups and run-throughs can be done in relative privacy if desired.
Need to warm up before your private lesson, practice a difficult passage for the next public concert, or work on your scales which might be a bit rusty? Don’t want to stay too late at Glidden Hall in one of the 6th floor practice rooms? Ran out of time to finish your theory assignment for tomorrow’s class?
There is a secure, soundproof practice room in the basement of Mackinnon equipped with an electronic keyboard and a computer loaded with the licensed software needed for your theory and composition classes. You can practice at a time that fits your schedule. Just get a key code for this locked area and get to work!
Need to practice the piano for your applied lesson or keyboard class?
There is an upright piano in the large multipurpose room in the basement of Mackinnon (outside of the soundproof practice room) which is available for your use. Since it is not in a soundproof area, you may need to work out a rehearsal time if the space is being utilized or reserved for other rehearsal purposes (dance or theater).
Need to rehearse a scene, practice a dialogue with a friend, or work on movement skills? Don’t want to stay late in Kantner to find space and time to finish projects for tomorrow’s class?
The large multipurpose room in the basement of Mackinnon is equipped with mirrors and mats for your rehearsal needs. You can section off a part of the space with curtains so your rehearsal can be done in relative privacy if desired. One end of this large room is equipped with track lighting along with various box-like “props” theater students can use to create scenes and sets as needed and at a time that works for you.
Academic Opportunities
Beyond the Fine Arts residential experience, we also provide 2 choices for classroom participation within the Mackinnon residential learning community (RLC)—A 5 hour English class and a 1 hour Fine Arts seminar class. You may opt to take either class or both, depending on your needs and interests. Please indicate which option you prefer on the on-line contract.
Why should I opt for the English class?
- Fulfills a general education requirement for all majors
- Historically has been taught by English instructors who want (and ask) to teach Fine Arts students and who tend to focus the readings and assignments on Fine Arts related topics.
- Guaranteed registration for this class, regardless of your English placement (meaning you won’t get closed out of this class).
- Size of each class is limited to 20 students, all Fine Arts majors in the fields of art, dance, music and theater
- Great way to make friends quickly since you live in the same hall and attend this class together—instance study buddies if needed!
What is involved in the Fine Arts seminar and why should I enroll in it?
- Allows students to “Experience the Arts” at Ohio University through interactions with Fine Arts faculty, staff, visiting artists, and other students
- Provides opportunities to attend concerts, performances, exhibits and arts related lectures
- Guaranteed registration for this class, regardless of your English placement (meaning you won’t get closed out of this class).
- Size of each class is approximately 20 students, all Fine Arts majors in the fields of art, dance, music and theater
- Great way to make friends quickly since you live in the same hall and attend this class together—instant study buddies if needed!
Fine Arts Seminar Class Information
Freshmen from art, dance, music and theater in the RLC Experience the Arts seminar class each fall have numerous opportunities to attend concerts, performances, exhibits and interact with visiting artists throughout the quarter.
Additionally they collectively participated in an activity or project from each area listed below:
Fine Arts Faculty/Staff Particpants
College of Fine Arts - Norma J Humphreys, Assistant Dean, Seminar Instructor
School of Art - Brad Schwieger, Ceramics...additional information & photos
School of Dance - Zelma Badu-Younge, African Dance...additional information & photos
School of Music - Paschal Younge, Ethnomusicology, African Drumming...additional information & photos
School of Theater - David Russell, Playwriting...additional information & photos
Aesthetics Technologies Lab (@Lab) - Katherine Milton & Nathan Berger, Final Interdisciplinary Project...additional information & photos
School of Film - Cinemateque...additional information & photos
Peer Mentors:
School of Art - John Seyal, Photography
School of Art - Kaitlin Whisler, Painting
Kennedy Museum of Art - Sally Delgado, Curator of Education
University Staff:
Roger Hart, English 151
D. Lee Beard , Academic Advancement Center (AAC), Webpage construction...additional information
Fine Arts Faculty/Staff Participants
College of Fine Arts - Norma J Humphreys, Assistant Dean, Seminar Instructor
School of Art - Julie Dummermuth, Painting...additional information & photos
School of Dance - Zelma Badu-Younge, African Dance...additional information & photos
School of Music - Gail Berenson, Piano...additional information
School of Music - Paschal Younge, Ethnomusicology, African Drumming...additional information & photos
School of Theater - Erik Ramsey, Playwriting...additional information
Aesthetics Technologies Lab (@Lab) - Katherine Milton & Nathan Berger, Final Interdisciplinary Project...additional information & photos
Fine Arts Film Series:...additional information
Lorraine Wochna – Film Bibliographer, Alden Library
Ovgu Gokce – Interdisciplinary Arts, PhD Student
Peer Mentors:
School of Music - Noelle Policastro, Music Education Instrumental Major
School of Theater - Kristy Miller, Acting Major
University Staff:
Roger Hart, English 151
Megan Titus, English 151
D. Lee Beard , Academic Advancement Center (AAC), Webpage construction...additional information
Fine Arts Faculty/Staff Participants:
College of Fine Arts - Norma J Humphreys, Assistant Dean, Seminar Instructor
School of Art - Jim Fike, Photography...additional information
School of Dance - Zelma Badu-Younge, African Dance...additional information & photos
School of Music - Paschal Younge, Ethnomusicology, African Drumming...additional information & photos
School of Music - Louise Steele, Music Therapy...additional information
School of Theater - David Russell, Costume Design...additional information & photos
School of Interdisciplinary Arts - William Condee, Final Interdisciplinary Project...additional information
Film Series:...additional information
Lorraine Wochna –Film Bibliographer, Alden Library
Ovgu Gokce – Interdisciplinary Arts, PhD Student
Peer Mentor:
School of Theater - Lea Leneskie, Acting Major
University Faculty/Staff Participants:
Roger Hart, English 151
Matthew Schario, English 151
Fine Arts Faculty/Staff Participants:
College of Fine Arts - Norma J Humphreys, Assistant Dean, Fine Arts Coordinator
School of Art - John Sabraw, Painting...additional information & photos
School of Dance - Travis Gatling...additional information
School of Music - Zelma Badu-Younge, African Dance...additional information & photos
School of Music - Louise Steele, Music Therapy...additional information
School of Theater - David Russell, Costume Design...additional information & photos
University Faculty/Staff Participants:
Resident Directors:
Molly Kinne, Mackinnon Hall, Seminar Instructor
Beth Henke, Pickerington Hall, Seminar Instructor
Academic Instructors:
Roger Hart, English 151
Keith Markman, Psychology 101
A sampling of this Fall’s student comments
How has participating in this Fine Arts RLC been helpful for you in adjusting to Ohio University?:
“You make friends that you have a lot in common with.”
“It has exposed me to resources the college has that I would otherwise have not known about.”
“Helps me meet other people faster and easier with the same interests.”
“Has about 20 people I know I can talk to.”
“I think it has helped me to meet other OU students. It has also created a fun/safe community for me.”
“Met a lot of people and got to know them quicker than if I wouldn’t have had class with them.”
What has been the most rewarding aspect of being in this Fine Arts RLC?:
“I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to have access to outside events that I normally would not have heard about or participated in.”
“Getting to know my classmates.”
“I love being with fine arts majors.”
“The friends I’ve made.”
“The most rewarding aspect was meeting people with the same passion for the arts that I have.”
“Having a support group of people who can help me since most of them are in the same situation as I.”
“It was a huge eye opener to the different arts.”
In what ways did you get to know the faculty in the RLC courses?
“We got to meet all the faculty from the different majors.”
“They work for you more like a friend than just a professor.”
“Through class discussions and trips.”
“I met the Assistant Dean of Fine Arts on a personal basis.”
“We had special classes where faculty would come in and work with us.”
“The classes were a lot smaller so we were able to have more one-on-one time with the faculty.”
“Each Friday the class was within different disciplines and I learned the similarities between the faculty in each.”
Would you recommend this RLC to an incoming first year student?:
“Yes, it is a great way to meet people and make contacts.”
“Yes, it gives you a leg up with everything.”
“Yes, good opportunities.”
“Yes, I feel it’s beneficial to start out with a group of people you can bond with.”
“Yes, I would—you meet great people, learn a lot and have a lot of fun!”