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Vol. 38, No. 18 |
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3-17-2004 Trustees Report — March '04TRUSTEES
Ohio State’s Board of Trustees heard a midyear report on undergraduate admissions for autumn quarter 2004. Martha Garland, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, reported that the overall applicant pool is smaller because of changes necessitated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last year challenging institutions to seek new ways to develop a diverse student body. Ohio State updated its admissions application to include four short essay questions, which, coupled with a shortened application period, created a more demanding review process. Mabel Freeman, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions and first year experience, said that while a 10 percent drop in applicants was expected, the university is experiencing a 14 percent decrease at 16,405, compared to the 19,000 received this time last year. She added that the applicants represent the strongest academically qualified pool in Ohio State history. Minority applications also are down overall, with a decrease of 27 percent, or 509 fewer African-American applicants this year compared to last. Hispanic and Native American applicants are holding at last year’s levels. Mac Stewart, vice provost for minority affairs, noted that initiatives are being implemented to increase the number of minority students applying and being admitted to Ohio State, including additional funding for the Morrill Scholars Program. Both Freeman and Stewart said that the goal of 5,800 students for the entering class is attainable and that the new application requirements and the underlying effects of the court’s ruling on African-American prospects will take some time to crystallize.
Trustees accepted eight new named endowed funds, totaling $675,329 and 234 new research grants and contracts, totaling more than $50 million, awarded to Ohio State during December 2003. • The Mary Lundie Stewart Vorman Scholarship Fund, $251,406.
• John A.E. Hubbell has been named interim dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine, effective April 1. Currently serving as the college’s associate dean, Hubbell joined the Ohio State veterinary faculty in 1986. He earned his M.S. and D.V.M. degrees from Ohio State. • Jeffrey M. Wilkins has been named interim chief information officer and executive director of technology commercialization and partnership in the Office of Health Sciences in the Medical Center, effective March 8. Chairman of Wilkins Associates, Wilkins was the founder in 1969 of CompuServe, one of the world’s first consumer online services. He is founder and chairman of the board of Metatec International, which pioneered the optical disc-based information distribution business. • William L. Berry has been re-appointed professor and holder of the Richard M. Ross Chair in Management in the Max M. Fisher College of Business, through Sept. 30, 2006.
• Douglas N. Jones, professor emeritus in the School of Public Policy and Management, effective July 1. • Jogikal M. Jagadeesh, associate professor emeritus in the College of Pharmacy (Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy), effective April 1. • James T. Hill, assistant professor emeritus with Ohio State Extension, effective Feb. 1.
Trustees heard a quarterly report from University Architect Jill Morelli on key capital projects. The report provides trustees with updates on construction-related details pertaining to budget, funding sources, timeline, programmatic information and other key issues. Several projects in the report have suffered delays due to unexpected asbestos and lead abatement issues, inclement weather and the availability of steel. The projects reviewed, along with their status, were the Stanley J. Aronoff Laboratory (in close-out and occupied), Graduate and Professional Student Housing (in close-out and occupied), Hagerty Hall rehabilitation (in construction), Jennings Hall renovation (in design), Page Hall rehabilitation (in construction), Sisson Hall replacement (in close-out), Biomedical Research Tower and Laboratory Animal Facilities (in design), Knowlton School of Architecture (in construction), Larkins Hall replacement (in construction), McCracken Power Plant Upgrade Project (in construction), Scott Laboratory (Mechanical Engineering Building Replacement) (in design), Physical Sciences Research Building (in construction), Psychology Building (construction documents), Ross Heart Hospital (in construction) and Main Library renovation (in design).
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following projects: • Relocation of space for the Physical Activities and Educational Services in Cunz Hall to accommodate demolition associated with the Larkins Hall replacement project. Estimated cost is $260,000 with funding to be provided by university central funds and future university bond proceeds from the Jennings Hall project with debt service to be paid by the College of Biological Sciences. • Renovation of the clean room laboratory in Dreese Hall. Estimated cost is $255,000 with funding to be provided by a Board of Regents Action Fund Hayes Grant. • Construction of a centralized storage facility at Ohio State Mansfield. Estimated cost is $33,974 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Replacement of stairways and public access patios at the Eisenhower Center on the Mansfield campus. Estimated project cost is $69,953 with funding to be provided by House Bills 790, 748 and 675. • Installation of a water main backflow preventer at Ohio State Mansfield. Estimated cost is $30,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Replacement of a bike and pedestrian bridge at Ohio State Mansfield. Estimated cost is $50,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Replacement of the roof on the Ohio Agricultural and Research Development Center (OARDC) Food Animal Health research building. Estimated cost is $75,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Upgrade of interior lighting at OARDC’s Gerlaugh Hall and Research Operations. Estimated cost is $75,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Continuation of the renovation of facilities at 2050 Kenny Road for outpatient services. Estimated cost is $13 million with funding to be provided by Wright Center for Innovation grant funds and future university bond proceeds with debt service to be paid by University Hospital. • Renovation of the third floor of Cramblett Hall to accommodate faculty offices. Estimated cost is $3.6 million with funding to be provided by future university bond proceeds as part of the Ross Heart Hospital issuance and University Hospital auxiliaries. • Renovation of several buildings at the Waterman Laboratory and Don Scott Field. Estimated cost is $740,562 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following projects: • Replacement and renovation of the pavement and curb areas on Cannon Drive. Project cost is $270,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675. • Improvements to 12th Avenue, including widening and upgrade of street and sidewalk signaling to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian system. Project cost is $2.7 million with funding to be provided by House Bill 675 and university funds. • Relocation of the emergency department on the University Hospital East campus to accommodate an increase in patient volume. Project cost increased as a result of the construction bidding process to $5.2 million, with funding to be provided by University Hospital auxiliaries and future university bond proceeds with debt service to be paid by University Hospital.
Trustees authorized the executive director of University Hospital to serve on the board of directors of the University HealthSystem Consortium and represent the interests of the university and its health system.
The board adopted revisions to the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure, which was last revised and adopted in July 2000. At that time, a decentralized investigation process was put in place with investigations being conducted at the college or vice-presidential unit level. After a 2003 evaluation conducted by the Office of Human Resources, it has been decided to re-centralize the responsibility for investigations to the Office of Human Resources Consulting Services.
Trustees approved naming the Campus Village Apartments in Mansfield the Jeffrey L. Molyet Village, effective immediately. Molyet was instrumental in getting the apartment complex built in 1998 and An attorney and past president of the Richland County Bar Association, Molyet served with distinction on the Ohio State Mansfield Citizen’s Council and was a charter member of the Ohio State Mansfield Board of Trustees before his death in July 2003.
Trustees updated a process for an annual evaluation of the university president. Criteria are derived from the annual institutional goals During the evaluation process, the president will share his or her views regarding performance with the board. The board chair will consult with each trustee, as well as the immediate past board chair and key constituents as deemed appropriate. To complete the process, the entire board will meet in executive session to evaluate the president’s performance and recommend appropriate compensation. The chair will then file a written summary with the Office of the Board of Trustees.
The board heard a report of faculty leadership initiatives from Stephen Pinsky, professor of physics, and Grady Chism, professor of food science and plant biology. Pinsky outlined the mission of the University Senate, which includes the Committee on Academic Misconduct, stating that “integrity is our most important subject” when communicating expected academic standards to faculty and students. The senate is proposing a new research faculty tenure track, designed to strengthen the university’s research initiatives and national reputation. Chism, speaking on behalf of the Faculty Council, stated that more programs and incentives are in place to reward faculty excellence and productivity. The council is promoting “The Year of the Faculty” to highlight teaching, research and service accomplishments by faculty members.
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