Undergraduate research	Photos by Jo McCulty
Trustees on June 1 heard a report from Linda Meadows, assistant vice president for research, on opportunities for undergraduate research at Ohio State. Meadows said that research universities like Ohio State offer a learning space where facilities and distinguished faculty support student creativity. "Inquiry, investigation and discovery are the heart of education," Meadows said. "Everyone at a university should be a discoverer and a learner. It's the responsibility of faculty to create an intellectually stimulating environment where students can mine treasuries of scholarship as well as contribute new understandings. Research is one way curious minds can explore their universe." On May 21, the fifth annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum gave about 150 undergraduates the opportunity to showcase their research, Meadows said. Students presented research on subjects ranging from uncovering causes for Alzheimer's disease to the social implications of genetic testing for Huntington's Disease. "The caliber of their work reminds us that undergraduates are capable of making valuable contributions to science and society," she said. During the forum itself (right photo), biology major Melodie Knowlton, left, chatted with Sarah Hutchison, a molecular genetics major.
	At left (left to right), Ian Cross and Daichi Hayden discussed their alternative printing strategies with judge Chris Daniggelis of the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Disability income program approved

During its June 1 meeting, the University Board of Trustees approved a change in benefits and vendor for the University's long-term disability income program outlined by Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources. The new program, provided by the Hartford Life Insurance Co. for a three-year period, will raise disability income replacement to 60 percent of base salary, instead of the current rate of 50 percent.

Optional employee-purchased supplemental benefit premiums are reduced by an average of 19 percent, and the cost to the University per faculty/staff member per month is reduced from $7.76 to $7.26 through the new program.

Rule clarifies process to alter units

The board approved amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty designed to specify who at Ohio State may propose alterations to or elimination of academic units, to codify a process for undertaking these changes and to assign decision-making responsibilities as such proposals move forward. See the April 26 onCampus for more information.

Student insurance program renewed

Trustees renewed the student health insurance program with Koster Insurance Agency, and respective coverage with the Vision Service Plan and Delta Dental of Ohio, effective autumn 2001. Changes to the plan include: improving the pharmacy benefit by allowing dependents (spouse and children) to have prescription drugs filled at the Student Health Center under the current insured benefit plan; adding periodontal services to the dental benefit; implementing enrollment eligibility requirements of six credit hours for undergraduate students and five credit hours for graduate/professional students; and modifying the plan year effective dates so that the plan year begins seven days prior to the start of autumn 2001 and ends seven days prior to the start of the next school year.

Learning technology fees continued

Trustees approved the continuation of learning technology fees, with no change in rates, in the Fisher College of Business, the colleges of Nursing and Engineering, and the School of Public Policy and Management. All such fees will be reviewed by the Provost's Oversight Committee on Learning Technology Fees and are subject to annual approval by the Board of Trustees until the fee is eliminated or replaced by a Universitywide learning technology fee.

Construction projects go forward

The board authorized the employment of architect/engineering firms and requests for construction bids for the following:

• Hayden Hall renovation on the OARDC campus -- upgrade existing laboratories, refurbish office spaces, install a new elevator, install new central HVAC system and reconstruct restroom facilities. The total estimated project cost is $850,000 and total estimated construction cost is $690,000, with funding provided by House Bill 790 ($100,000) and OARDC funds ($750,000).

• Vivian Hall renovation to accommodate temporarily a portion of the Knowlton School of Architecture now housed in Ives Hall, scheduled for demolition in order to use the site for construction of the new architecture school. The total estimated project cost is $305,000 and total estimated construction cost is $261,000, with funding provided by the Knowlton School of Architecture ($152,500) and central University funds ($152,500).

• Central Classroom Building roof replacement. The total estimated project cost is $109,407 and total estimated construction cost is $81,103, with funding provided by the Office of Physical Facilities ($38,953) and the Office of Facilities Planning and Development ($70,453).

• Denney Hall classroom renovation. The revised estimated project cost is $1.07 million and total estimated construction cost is $508,117, with funding provided by House bills 748, 790, 850 and 904 and Classroom Pool and Honor Program funding.

Endowed funds, grants accepted

The board accepted more than $1.6 million in gifts to the University to establish named endowed funds. The board also accepted 196 research grants and contracts, totaling $20 million.

Named endowed funds accepted by the board are:

• The Howell Family Scholarship Fund, $446,489.

• The William G. Myers, M.D., Ph.D., and Florence Lenahan Myers, M.D., Radiation Oncology Research Endowment Fund, $443,500.

• The Thekla R. and Donald B. Shackelford Professorship Fund in Canine Medicine, $250,000.

• The University Library History of Astronomy Fund, $140,778.

• The Ross-Hocking Extension 4-H Camp Association, Inc. Endowment Fund, $50,000.

• The Eleanor Quinlan Memorial Fund, $35,031.

• The Calvin and Lydia Roebuck Athletic Scholarship Fund, $33,820.

• Ohio State ATI Founders and Friends Award Fund, $32,692.

• Moore Family Scholarship Fund, $30,000.

• The Marie Cummins Curtin Scholarship Fund in Pharmacy, $29,545.

• The Frank W. Bope Legends of Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, $26,050.

• The Dr. Robert D. Berkebile Memoral Award Fund in Radiology, $25,000.

• The Leslie Cribley Memorial University Scholar Fund, $25,000.

• The OSU Alumni Club of Phoenix Scholarship Fund, $25,000.

• The OSU Army ROTC Alumni Scholarship Fund, $21,121.