The Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved a variety of personnel, fiscal and construction-related matters at its meeting Aug. 31 at the Longaberger Alumni House.
Smucker commits $1 million to support scholarships, food innovation research
The J.M. Smucker Co. and Board of Trustees member Tim Smucker of Orrville have committed $1 million to support ongoing research and student success at Ohio State. Both the Smucker family and Smucker company are long-time supporters of Ohio State.
“It is our university’s great good fortune to have the support of firm friends like Tim Smucker and the J.M. Smucker Co., whose roots run deep in Ohio and in Wooster,” said Ohio State President Gordon Gee. “Their gift to fund undergraduate research in food innovation and student support, including a scholarship to honor Bobby Moser’s name, will make a very real difference for generations to come.”
The J.M. Smucker Co. Scholarship Fund will support undergraduate scholarships — with preference given to food science and technology students — as a part of the newly created Pat and Bobby Moser Scholars Program in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Agricultural Technical Institute.
The Smucker Leaders Scholarship Fund will support undergraduates from a variety of majors pursuing a minor in Leadership Studies in the Department of Agricultural Communications Education and Leadership.
The J.M. Smucker Co. Innovation Research Award Fund will support undergraduate, graduate and faculty researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Award preference will be given to projects that focus on food innovation. Criteria for selection can include projects that are competitively judged, will be presented at college or university forums, are a component of a degree program or have a concept goal of commercialization.
Charter trustee reappointed
The board reappointed Gilbert Cloyd as charter trustee for a three-year term beginning Oct. 30. Cloyd was appointed as the university’s first charter trustee in 2009. He earlier served three years on the Board of Trustees, including two as chair. In the role, Cloyd will continue to provide counsel and expertise to the board.
2013 current funds budget approved
The board approved the current funds budget for the 2013 fiscal year. The budget provides for an overall spending level of $5.15 billion for all campuses, a 3.7 percent increase over 2012.
The budget is structured to support four strategic objectives: Maintain financial access for qualified students; fund safety, security, risk management and compliance; protect university financial stability; and continue implementing the university enrollment and academic plans.
Capital investment program adopted
The board adopted the proposed FY 2013 – FY 2017 capital investment program funding plan. The plan is the result of the university’s new, comprehensive annual capital planning process which provides a blueprint for investment in the physical environment to advance programs, address needs and implement the strategic priorities of the institution.
The program includes spending $1.85 billion, which includes $1.2 billion that is incorporated from the remaining years of the previous plan approved in 2010.
In addition, the plan includes a number of infrastructure improvement projects which are being funded primarily by $208 million in cash reserves. It also includes the implementation of the $396 million North Residential District project.
Fee established for agricultural program
The board authorized The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to implement an instructional fee for the new Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education – Distance Learning program.
The academic program was approved by the Board of Regents in June, too late for inclusion in annual university budget recommendations.
The new instructional fee, effective spring semester 2013, will be set at $5,169 per semester for a typical student in the program taking 6 credit hours per semester. All on-site fees are waived, the non-resident tuition is reduced to $5 and a $100 distance education fee is assessed for students taking all distance courses.
Lease approved
The board authorized the university to enter into a 20-year lease with the city of New Albany for approximately 35,000 square feet of medical office, rehabilitation space and space for related services for use by the Wexner Medical Center as an ambulatory care outpatient facility.
Construction projects approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service contracts, construction contracts and energy savings contracts for the following projects:
n Central Power Plant water treatment.
The project will replace and upgrade the existing water treatment system, providing increased hydraulic capacity and improved boiler feed water quality. During design field reviews, additional deferred maintenance items that need to be addressed were identified in order to optimize value and improve plant efficiency, increasing professional services from $2.4 million to $3.3 million and construction contracts from $11.9 million to $17 million. Trustees approved professional services contracts totaling $3.3 million and construction contracts totaling $17 million. Total project cost is $20 million to be provided by university bond proceeds.
n Wexner Medical Center – Air quality and control issues.
The project will assess air quality and control in Rhodes and Doan Halls and implement necessary corrective measures. Trustees approved professional services contracts for
$1.5 million and construction contracts totaling $5.5 million. Total project cost is $7 million to be provided by auxiliary funds.
n Midwest campus chilled water system upgrade.
This project will provide additional chilled water capacity for Howlett Hall, Kottman Hall, the Parker Food Sciences building and the Veterinary Hospital Renovation nd Expansion. Trustees approved professional services contracts of $600,000 and construction contracts totaling $4.4 million. Total project cost is $5 million to be provided by repair and renovation funds and state appropriations.
n Veterinary Hospital Renovation and Expansion.
This project will construct an addition of approximately 9,000 square feet and renovate 60,000 square feet of space at the veterinary hospital. Improvements include new, state-of-the-art clinical, surgery and teaching spaces; a new emergency entrance; improvements to patient room, animal holding and admission and discharge areas and renovations to faculty and staff offices and multi-purpose rooms. The project will seek LEED silver certification. Trustees approved professional services contracts of $3 million. Total project cost is $25 million to be provided by development funds and general funds.
n Indoor Golf Facility.
The project will construct an indoor golf practice facility of approximately 19,250 square feet at the Ohio State University Golf Course. The facility will include coaches’ and support offices, men’s and women’s locker rooms, golf cart storage and hitting bays. Trustees approved $5 million in construction contracts. Total project cost is $6.1 million to be provided by development funds.
n OARDC – Ag Engineering Building Replacement.
The project will construct a replacement for the facility that was heavily damaged by the September 2010 tornado. The replacement facility will include offices, an administrative support area and labs. The existing facility will be demolished as part of this project. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $11.7 million. Total project cost is $14 million to be provided by general funds/insurance and state appropriations.
n Steam and Condensate Distribution System Upgrades.
The project will upgrade steam distribution lines, increase capacity and allow for campus expansion. These upgrades will improve energy consumption and reduce water use in support of campus sustainability goals. Project scope and funding were added during development to minimize costs and disruption to campus, increasing construction costs from $16.8 million to $19 million. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $19 million. Total project cost is $20.3 million to be provided by university bond proceeds, general funds and plant funds.
n Energy conservation measures.
The project implements recommendations from an energy audit to reduce energy consumption in five campus buildings: Scott Laboratory, the Biomedical Research Building, Recreation and Physical Activities Center, Physics Research Building and the Veterinary Hospital. Total project cost is $8.2 million. The project scope was increased to implement additional energy conservation measures, increasing the total project cost from $3.65 million to $8.2 million. The project will be funded with Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds through the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority sought by the university.
Residence Hall named
Trustees approved naming the new residence hall at 230 W. 10th Ave. (the corner of Neil and 10th avenues) The Residence on Tenth. The hall, which opened earlier this month, is the home of the Sophomore Living and Involvement Community.
Personnel actions
The board approved the following personnel appointments and reappointments:
n Joseph Brandesky has been named professor and holder of the Martha W. Farmer Endowed Professorship in Theatre in the College of Arts and Sciences, through June 30, 2017.
n Gail Besner has been named professor and holder of the H. William Clatworthy Jr. Professorship in Pediatric Surgery in the College of Medicine, through June 30, 2016.
n Dennis Heldman has been named professor and holder of the Dale A. Seiberling Professorship in Food Engineering in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, through Aug. 21, 2017.
n Gustavo Leone has been named professor and holder of the Klotz Chair in Cancer Research No. 1 in the College of Medicine, through June 30, 2016.
n Bruce McPheron has been named vice president for Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, effective Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2017.
n Blake Thompson has been named vice president for Economic and Workforce Development and Special Assistant to the President in the Office of Academic Affairs.
n Daniel Vukmer has been named executive director and chief executive officer of the OSU Health Plan, effective Oct. 15 through Oct. 15, 2017.
n Seth Young has been named associate professor and holder of the John H. McConnel Chair in Aviation in the College of Engineering, through June 30, 2016.
n Jason Calhoun has been reappointed professor and holder of the Frank J. Kloenne Chair in Orthopedic Surgery in the College of Medicine, through Dec. 31, 2012.
n Michael Caliguiri has been reappointed chief executive officer of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, through June 30, 2017.
n Jonathan Hook has been reappointed vice president and chief investment officer in the Office of Business and Finance, through July 31, 2016.
Resolutions in memoriam
The board approved resolutions in memoriam for the following:
n Maureen Ahern, professor emeritus in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, who died June 20.
n Alfred Bishara, professor emeritus in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, who died Aug. 10, 2011.
n Robert Blake, associate professor emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering, who died May 23.
n Jack Cline, professor emeritus of Animal Science in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died June 8.
Financial procedures authorized
The board authorized designated university officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank accounts held in the name of The Ohio State University, to designate depositories and to execute related agreements.
Amendments to Medical Staff bylaws approved
The board approved adoption of a series of amendments to the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff of The Ohio State University Hospitals.
Medical Staff bylaws amended
Trustees approved amendments to the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Retirement plan amended
Trustees approved a resolutions to amend the Ohio State University Alternative Retirement Plan to incorporate Ohio Revised Code statutory changes.
Retirement plans adopted
The board approved the adoption of The Ohio State University Retirement Continuation Plan II and The Ohio State University Supplemental 415(m) Retirement Plan II. The plans allow the university to make discretionary retirement contributions on behalf of designated university employees.