By Donna Schlagheck
The current Wright State University strategic planning process involves a series of “mini-summits” to brainstorm ideas. For the last two months, 15 different groups have been working on strategic themes. Each group has created an aspiration statement and objectives, with lists of actions and project ideas. Donna Schlagheck, past president of the WSU Retirees Association, has been a volunteer member of a group made up of Advancement and Alumni representatives. What follows is her report on an idea that may be of special interest to retirees.
The group I am part of sent forward a recommendation that the strategic plan include a proposal to build retiree housing on campus, to be known as the "Village."
The housing market is a very dynamic part of the local economy, and many colleges and universities in the United States, including Antioch College and the University of Cincinnati, for example, are planning to build housing designed for senior retirees and alumni.
Our current proposal calls for single-family homes/condos to be built in a wooded area on or near campus. Retirees could live in a walkable community, with hospitals, physicians, shopping and the amenities in and around the campus within reach. Retired Wright-Patterson Air Force Base personnel would also be considered candidates for this community.
Retiree residents could enroll in classes, mentor students, volunteer on campus and otherwise engage in and help further diversify the WSU community.
The building of WSU dorms offers a model for this development, which would involve a partner to develop the property, without a capital budget investment by the university.
This concept has circulated before, but has not been previously recommended in a strategic plan.
I recommend reading “Retire with Class,” in the July/August 2018 issue of the AARP Bulletin, which examines this trend.
