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Cincy State presence on hold in Middletown

Timing of inaugural events pushed to fall as financial reviews on branch continue.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 2:29 AM Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — Time conflicts will likely prevent Cincinnati State from having any sort of presence in Middletown until the fall.

A consultant for the city of Middletown working on the branch campus project indicated engineering students may be completing studies in the former CG&E building by the end of this month. Dan Cayse, vice president of strategic initiatives and entrepreneurial development, said the engineering department was interested in having students receive hands-on educational experience in the building.

However, conflicts and the rapidly approaching end to the spring term will likely prevent the study from happening, he said.

Also, a May inaugural event planned for Cincinnati State President O’dell Owens in Middletown has been postponed until the fall.

Jean Manning, vice president for marketing and communications at the school, said all inaugural events have been pushed back for September. She said plans are still to include Middletown but that more information will be available on the event in the fall.

In the meantime, Owens told Cincinnati State’s board of trustees at a meeting Tuesday night that the project “remains on target.”

The college is still reviewing financial data to reach a final agreement with Middletown leaders on creating the branch campus and renovating buildings purchased by the city for the project, Owens said.

Cayse said the school is still looking to partner with other educational institutions in Middletown to offer classes in the area even before a final agreement is reached.

Greg Pratt, who was hired by City Manager Judy Gilleland to work as a consultant on the project, has been talking to Cincinnati State officials “at least on a weekly basis” to speed up the process and answer questions.

“(He’s been) helpful because he brings focus on the project to the targeted group in Middletown,” Cayse said.

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