By Jo McCulty

Ohio State members of the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps march in full dress uniform in the 2000 Tri-Service Parade May 25 at the Coffey Athletic Fields. The review renewed a tradition that, until last year, was halted 22 years ago.

Tuition, fees will rise $246 next fiscal year

Though resident undergraduate tuition and fees will increase $246 at Ohio State for the 2000-01 academic year, University officials emphasize that Ohio State remains an excellent value for taxpayers.

The Board of Trustees on June 2 accepted a recommendation for the 6 percent increase in resident undergraduate tuition and fees. Resident undergraduate instructional and general fees will increase $246 for the year, or $82 per quarter, for a full-time student, translating to tuition and fees of $4,356 for the academic year. Nonresident undergraduate fees will increase $645, or 5.3 percent, for the year.

At their meeting, trustees approved the first 4 percent of the tuition increase. State law requires a second vote for increases greater than 4 percent, so the board will vote on the additional 2 percent in July to achieve the full 6 percent.

Based on 1999-2000 figures, Ohio State ranked ninth among the state's 13 public universities in undergraduate fees, and $276, or 6 percent, below the state average for annual education costs. Underscoring the combination of below-average tuition with Ohio State's top academic reputation ranking among Ohio's public universities in a 1999 rating by U.S. News & World Report, Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray said,"It's clear that Ohio State offers a quality education while remaining responsible to Ohio citizens in a cost-effective way.

"In addition to educational value, we strive to offer the best resources and services to our students so they will be ready for the work force or advanced study upon graduation. We consider it a top priority to strike the appropriate balance between the fees charged and the quantity and quality of services provided," Ray said.

The total cost for an in-state undergraduate to attend the Columbus campus and live in University housing will increase $635 for the academic year, or 5.8 percent, from $10,856 to $11,491 -- an increase of less than $2.75 per day for an 11-week quarter, noted William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance.

That annual figure takes into account a 5 percent increase for room and board, an estimated 5 percent increase for textbooks and supplies, an 11.6 percent increase for health insurance, and a 14.8 percent increase for parking on the central Columbus campus and a bus pass.

Services falling under general fees include the counseling and consultation service, disability services, international education, recreation and intramurals, Student Affairs administration, the student health service, student life offices, student union general fund support and several other programs.

Funding from tuition and fees also is committed to reducing the student/faculty ratio, maintaining the purchasing power of library acquisition, increasing scholarships and financial aid, increasing wages for student workers and improving access to instructional technology. In fact, 0.5 percent of the undergraduate fee increase will be set aside for improved student services and instructional technology.

Ray and Shkurti acknowledged that the 6 percent increase in undergraduate tuition -- the maximum allowed by state law -- exceeds inflation. But they said Ohio State will seek other sources of funding, such as private fund raising, sponsored research and internal reallocations, to absorb the increasing costs of providing the most possible resources to students.

They also noted that Ohio State receives far less financial support per student than the average per-student support at its benchmark institutions. Benchmark institutions are the nine universities against which Ohio State measures itself -- schools that are highly ranked academically and comparable to OSU in mission, size and configuration. They are Pennsylvania State University and the universities of Minnesota, Washington, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, Wisconsin and California, Los Angeles.

Ohio State's revenues per student are 19 percent lower than the benchmark average, and state support per student (full-time equivalent) at Ohio State is 7 percent -- or $635 -- lower than the average for benchmark institutions. In addition, resident undergraduate fees fall $245, or 6 percent, below the average among the benchmark schools.

"This makes Ohio State an excellent value in Ohio and nationally, but it also means Ohio State does not have the resources to fully match or exceed our competition in critical areas such as services to our students," Ray said."Though we operate within the limits of our fiscal support, we provide what our students expect and deserve -- the best education and level of service available. These increased fees will be used to continue to make significant improvements in the quality of services to students."

In other fee increases, the annual resident graduate student tuition and fees will rise $291 (5.1 percent), or $97 per quarter, to $6,021. Nonresident graduate student fees will increase $747 (5 percent) for the year.

Differentially higher increases are recommended for professional and graduate students on a selected basis. A tuition increase of 19 percent is recommended for in-state students in law, 8.5 percent in medicine and veterinary medicine, 9.5 percent in dentistry and 35.2 percent in the MBA program.

A recommendation for regional campus fees will not be presented to trustees until July. For the first time, regional campus costs will be divided into upper- and lower-division fees; in accordance with state guidelines, the lower division must decrease by 5 percent and the upper division may increase up to 3 percent.

Law expands economic benefits to Ohio

Ohio State's leadership of an effort to change Ohio law in a way that ultimately expands universities' economic benefits to the state has paid off handsomely.

Senate Bill 286, which was scheduled to be signed by Gov. Bob Taft on June 7, allows institutions to set guidelines under which faculty, staff and students can participate in moving the fruits of their research into the marketplace. The law also clarifies institutions' ownership rights and interests in discoveries made by faculty, staff or students acting within the scope of their employment or with funding, equipment or infrastructure provided by a university.

Ohio State proposed the change to increase the chances that discoveries or products developed at public universities will benefit Ohio citizens by enabling laboratory research results to make a timely and effective transition into the business world and eventual use by the public. The changes provide clarity and ease restrictions on how much faculty and staff research scientists can participate in contracts concerning commercialization of their discoveries.

The bill's swift move through the General Assembly, going from introduction to the governor's desk in the span of just two months, indicates the broad support for the initiative, said Colleen O'Brien, director of state relations for the University. The bill was introduced on April 6, approved by the Senate on May 10 and passed the House on May 24.

"I'm extremely pleased we managed to do this," O'Brien said."It moved very smoothly through the Legislature, and had a great deal of support. There were no dissenting votes. In fact, we heard some members of the House ask why the state hasn't done this sooner. That was a very positive thing to hear."

Added David Allen, assistant vice president for technology partnerships, "The unanimous support by the Legislature shows that, not only did we make a very good case, but the General Assembly is very supportive of universities' involvement in commercialization of technology through start-up companies."

Under previous Ohio law, the amount of equity that faculty or research scientists at public institutions could own in a technology start-up was limited, and interpretations of the law were varied and not always consistent.

In seeking the change in law, University officials argued that this confusion over equity limits and the ability of faculty and staff to participate in the commercialization of university technology ultimately threatened Ohio's competitiveness in the high-tech business and research environment. That, in turn, could impede faculty recruitment and economic development, they said.

Under the new law, university boards of trustees in Ohio will be responsible for developing policies to oversee activities concerning employees holding equity interests and participating in commercialization of their inventions. The current law already delegates authority to trustees to direct and control the rights to inventions developed at their respective institutions.

The bill will become effective 90 days after Taft signs it. Within 90 days after that, model rules must be developed that can serve as guidelines for institutions in the state seeking to adopt their own rules. O'Brien said a coalition of representatives from four- and two-year institutions is being formed now to begin work on the model rules over the summer rather than waiting until the law becomes effective.

"Any university or college can adopt rules or policies in this area, but they will need to reflect these model rules. Each university or college could take these minimum standards and modify them as needed to focus on its own mission," she said.

Allen said the coalition will work with the Ohio Ethics Commission to create a set of guidelines"acceptable to all of us that balances the interests of public accountability and economic benefit to the state with equity incentives to university investors."

He said Ohio State's technology transfer oversight committee's guidelines could provide operational direction for the statewide model.

For a more detailed analysis of Senate Bill 286, visit the Web at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=123_SB_286.

Gerald Reagan

Reagan ends an eight-year era as secretary of University Senate

President Kirwan reported to the Board of Trustees on June 2 that he had some bad news: Gerald Reagan, secretary of University Senate, has opted to step down from that position and return full time to the faculty of the School of Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education. At University Senate the next day, as Reagan carried on as if it were just another meeting, Kirwan continued to lament the loss of Reagan's leadership of Ohio State's governing body.

"When I came here as president, I arm-wrestled Jerry into staying on another term," Kirwan said."I cannot adequately convey how much I admire this man. He just represents everything that's wonderful about University shared governance, principled actions, and respect for the role of faculty in the leadership of the University."

In fact, Kirwan ordered a suspension of the meeting's regular agenda, and was joined by several others in honoring Reagan and reading into the record a resolution of appreciation, which the Senate accepted in Reagan's honor.

Reagan has been secretary of Senate for eight years and a faculty member specializing in the philosophy of education at Ohio State for 31 years. He has a long history of service to his college, the University and his field of expertise, and in 1998 received the University's Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service.

"It is not overstating the case to suggest that Dr. Reagan has been at the center of the most significant changes at The Ohio State University over the past decade," a colleague wrote about Reagan when he received the service award.

Reagan also received the University's Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1981.

Reagan was prepared to stop serving as secretary at two three-year terms in 1998, but agreed to stay on for at least one more year at Kirwan's request. Instead, he stayed for two. His reason for stepping down:"It's a good time for a change -- for the Senate and for me."

He has retained a 50-percent appointment in the College of Education throughout his tenure as secretary, and now will return to teaching full time.

All who spoke at the meeting on June 3 indicated Reagan leaves big Senate shoes to fill.

"When I think of the position of secretary of the Senate, Jerry Reagan is the model and it is difficult to imagine anyone else doing the job," Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray said, citing Reagan's objective, dedicated, competent and sensible approach to the position. "Whoever takes on this job is really going to be challenged to attain the level of respect, confidence of others and effectiveness that Jerry has sustained throughout his tenure as secretary."

Susan Fisher, professor of entomology and veterinary biosciences and chair of Senate's Steering Committee, noted Reagan's rare combined qualities of being a classical scholar, revered teacher and dedicated colleague. "He is a constant reminder of what it is we're doing here and why it's important," she said.

And Sally Rudmann, professor of allied medicine and pathology and chair of Faculty Council, added that Reagan's dedicated and unselfish service included careful consideration of not just faculty concerns, but students' needs, as well.

Kirwan offered a few anonymous quotes provided by Reagan's peers that described him as a"classic example of one of those wonderful University citizens who keeps this place on an even keel," and as someone"who has a way of saying sensible things at just the right time.""He is our institutional memory," Kirwan continued."Jerry is the Senate."

As the gift-giving and a Senate standing ovation concluded, Reagan offered his thanks, and, returning to business as usual, reminded senators that, "We've really blown the schedule."

For those unfamiliar with Senate, each meeting is carefully scheduled, and senators are asked to plan to devote a certain amount of time to the Saturday morning meetings. The June 3 meeting was estimated by the Program Committee to require two hours and five minutes of Senate time. For the record, Reagan will be able to say that his last meeting as secretary, despite an unscheduled interruption, ended on time.

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