Vol. 38, No. 18

1-17-2006
By: Joni Bentz Seal

Right choices will allow Ohio State to leave its mark, Snyder tells senate

Barbara Snyder's passion for excellence and impact was never more visible.

In her third State of Academic Affairs address to the University Senate Jan. 12, the executive vice president and provost cited numerous efforts that have succeeded in advancing Ohio State's academic reputation and emphasized those initiatives that will propel the university to the top of the charts as the nation's premier public land-grant research institution.

Snyder discussed progress on faculty, staff and graduate associate compensation and the appointment of several key academic leaders and noted that her paramount charge as provost is to protect and promote the academic reputation of the institution. "Together, and under the superb leadership of President Karen Holbrook, we are further defining Ohio State as a place of high achievement and high integrity, of good will and good sense," she said.

Ohio State now ranks among the 10 top public research universities, according to the National Science Foundation, and has been identified as one of the nation's best public institutions by U.S. News & World Report - evidence that the university's focus is on target and that its initiatives are paying off, Snyder said.

Recent achievements
Among the key academic initiatives accomplished last year were the designation of the Honors and Scholars program as an academic center, the merging of the Student-Athlete Support Services Office with the advising process of the Office of Academic Affairs and the establishment of an Undergraduate Research Office.

"By ensuring that every student at Ohio State has the opportunity for a significant research experience, the Undergraduate Research Office will allow us to infuse undergraduate education with the atmosphere of a Research I university," Snyder said.

Snyder also used the thriving scholars program as an example of the way the university is teaching students in rich and innovative ways; opening their eyes to the fascination of focused study; and instilling in them the imperative to serve the community. "The same could be said of programs throughout the university, from dance to landscape architecture to medicine, and because we are making a mark in areas like these, Ohio State's academic reputation has never been stronger," Snyder said.

Current priorities
She then explained how Ohio State's reputation will be further enhanced by the choices made this year.

Although launched in 2004, committee reviews of the undergraduate curriculum and graduate education cross over as two of this year's priorities. The coming year will require choices, Snyder said, to implement the committees' recommendations intended to strengthen the university's undergraduate and graduate academic cores and assist with its reaccreditation review in 2007.

The third key academic priority for this year is a new initiative called Targeted Investment for Excellence. Introduced last fall, the initiative has solicited proposals to create or strengthen programs with the most potential to advance to the top of their respective fields. The prevailing thought, according to Snyder, is that Ohio State's ability to go to the next level is tied directly to the reputations of individual colleges, departments and programs. Those selected will receive funding assistance for implementation.

"Ohio State is making choices to make a mark. That's why we're talking about programs of such excellence that they can achieve worldwide recognition, and of such impact that they will have a durable effect on the university's academic stature. With your help and that of colleagues throughout the university, even if they're sometimes tough choices, we're doing our best to make the right choices," Snyder said.

For the complete text of the speech, visit http://oaa.osu.edu/speeches.php.

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