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Miami University Community Arena Survey: Initial Findings
3,347 survey respondents (Miami University students, students’ parents, faculty, staff, and Oxford residents) shared their perspectives on Cook Field, Millett Hall, and the proposed Arena District development project slated for Cook Field.
This project was created and led by an interdisciplinary team of Miami University undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and faculty. It has no other affiliation with the Miami University leadership.
For more information, check out our website with full frequency tables and an executive summary of our initial findings. A full, detailed report will be released in January 2026.
Q1: How do Miami stakeholders use the facilities at Cook Field and Millett Hall?
Cook Field: 65% (average) report “occasionally” to “very frequently” using Cook Field (for organized sports competition, informal physical activity, leisure and green space, parking lot). 81% rate it "very important" to their Miami experience.
Millett Hall: 28% (average) report “occasionally” to “very frequently” using Millett Hall (for athletic events, non-athletic events, class meetings, ROTC). Only 31% rate it important.
Takeaway: Cook Field is central to daily campus life; Millett Hall is not.
Q2: How would facility changes impact use?
Moving Cook Field: 84% (average) would use it less; 14% (average) unaffected.
Moving Millett Hall: 51% (average) unaffected; 38% (average) would use it less.
Best scenario: Renovate/rebuild at or near the current Millett Hall location.
Takeaway: Location matters. Moving Cook Field would severely reduce its use; building a new arena at Cook Field would reduce attendance at athletic events.
Q3: What defines Miami University?
Most valued: Campus beauty (95%), academic reputation (90%), college town (85%)
Least valued: Athletics (25%), athletic facilities (25%)
Investment priorities: Student experience (69%), career prep (63%), affordability (62%) — Athletics ranks second-to-last at 14%
Takeaway: Miami’s identity is academics, beauty, and community—not athletics.
Q4: What does the community want?
Arena project support: 89% oppose; only 7% support
Cook Field future: 79% prefer to preserve as green space; only 4% prefer Arena District
Donor impact: 7 in 10 (69%) are less likely to donate if Arena District is built on Cook Field; only 6% more likely
Major concerns: About 9 in 10 respondents expressed project-related concerns: loss of green space, parking/traffic, and opportunity costs (not investing resources in other areas).
Takeaway: Overwhelming community preference to preserve Cook Field. Project viewed as misaligned with Miami values; could decrease future donations.
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