Vol. 38, No. 18

1-17-2007
By: Richard Gillette

Provost says academic affairs accelerating

During her fourth and final state of the academic affairs address, Provost and Executive Vice President Barbara Snyder described the university’s academic progress as “accelerating.”

She also told faculty members in the Jan. 11 address they can expect her to be fully engaged in the university’s academic business until she leaves June 30. In December Snyder was named Case Western Reserve University’s next president.

Collaboration and teamwork have played a big part in the university’s academic success and continued climb in measured accomplishments, she said.

“By converging our talents and merging our interests, we’re creating wider visions than can be imagined individually; we’re making grander discoveries than can be found in isolation; we’re producing greater accomplishments than can be realized alone,” she said.

In the Targeted Investment in Excellence program, one of last year’s key academic priorities, Snyder pointed specifically to the Climate, Water and Carbon Program, a joint endeavor of nine different colleges and offices, as a model of cooperation.

She portrayed the Department of Athletics’ donation of $5 million to the Thompson Library renovation fund as another example of teamwork that will “ensure that Ohio State will have a top-flight information center, one that will nurture the intellectual life of our academic community.”

Snyder also pointed to the merger of several academic entities last year as evidence of collaboration at the university, noting that the merging of talents and interests will likewise be crucial to accomplishing this year’s key academic priorities: restructuring the undergraduate curriculum, reform of graduate education and economic access to all qualified students.

The focus on undergraduate education, she explained, will center on implementing the curricular changes endorsed by the Arts and Sciences Faculty Senate and the other colleges with undergraduate programs. Later this winter, the Council on Academic Affairs and the Senate will consider these changes, which, if approved, could mean that new curricular requirements could begin in autumn quarter.

Hailing the remodeling of the undergraduate curriculum as a university-wide effort, Snyder described it as “one more sterling example of teamwork and the pooling of energy, imagination, and good will that I believe characterizes the state of academic affairs at OSU,” Snyder said.

The implementation of graduate education reform is now the priority of Patrick Osmer, the new dean of the Graduate School, Snyder said.

Two committees that studied possible reforms have recommended:

-- Basing the funding for doctoral education on quality rather than credit hours.

-- Assessing doctoral programs on a regular cycle.

-- Maintaining the Graduate School’s present structure, whereby a dean oversees graduate studies and reports to the provost.

-- Changing the manner in which Graduate School support is awarded.

-- Implementing new processes for the oversight of graduate education.

The university’s newest goal is to make Ohio State accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their economic level.

“The message is clear: If students are qualified and want to go to college, the financial resources will be in place to provide them with access,” she said. “To reach a goal of such dimension, we will need to work side-by-side, calling on the energies of multiple offices and many colleagues.”

In closing, Snyder said it’s clear that Ohio State is making progress and that our progress is accelerating.

“In large measure,” she said, “this is happening because so many elements in our big academic enterprise are working more deliberately together. By pulling together, we’re pulling ahead.”

Take note

Executive Vice President and Provost Barbara Snyder said faculty should also be aware of the reaccreditation process taking place this year and potential changes to the University Rules affecting tenure.

Later this year, a team of consultant evaluators will come to Ohio State. During a three-day visit, they will meet with representatives of all members of the university community as part of the institutional reaccreditation process, which takes place every 10 years. Ohio State is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Snyder said a proposal by The President’s Council on Women could allow the tenure clock of any faculty member — male or female — to be extended automatically upon the birth or adoption of a child.

If approved by University Senate and the Board of Trustees, she said the recommendation will lead to University Rule changes that will provide faculty with additional flexibility to meet family needs during their probationary period.

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