By Kevin Fitzsimons President William E. Kirwan outlined the Academic Plan to University Senate in his "State of the University" address, delivered Oct. 7 in McPherson Laboratory.

The Academic Plan

University plans major investment in Ohio State's transformation

Ohio State is poised to spend up to $750 million over the next five years to enhance its academic standing nationally and increase the benefits the University provides to the people of Ohio.

University leaders have released an Academic Plan, a strategy designed to transform Ohio State, already a powerful educational presence nationally, into one of the world's truly great universities.

"In an information age, Ohioans need and deserve a top-tier university that will be a center of excellence in areas of critical importance to the state. We are determined that Ohio State will be such a university," President William E. Kirwan said. "A truly great teaching and research university will advance the well-being of the people of Ohio by creating and disseminating knowledge, fostering a rich flow of ideas and innovation, producing superbly trained graduates and stoking the state's economic growth in the new Information Age economy.

"By putting this academic blueprint into action, and more thoughtfully and strategically allocating our resources, we will transform Ohio State into a 21st-century land-grant university recognized worldwide for the excellence and impact of its research, dedication to teaching, commitment to diversity and richness of student experience."

New and redirected funding will be used to support the Academic Plan's 14 sweeping initiatives (see sidebar), Kirwan said, including recruiting and retaining world-class faculty, enhancing the quality of the teaching and learning environment, and creating a more diverse University community, to move Ohio State toward academic excellence.

Outlining the plan to University Senate on Oct. 7 in his "State of the University"address, Kirwan characterized the plan as "the most important matter I will bring to Senate during my tenure as president."

Executive Vice President and Provost Edward J. Ray said the University in recent years has focused more intently on aligning its resources with an ambitious academic agenda, and thereby laying the groundwork for such a plan, through five core elements:

• Pursuit of national leadership in the quality of its academic programs;

• Creation of a learning environment for students on a par with the nation's best universities;

• Universal recognition for the quality of the student learning experience;

• Creation of an environment that values and is enriched by diversity; and

• Expansion of the land-grant mission to address society's most compelling needs.

"This Academic Plan, which reflects the input of Ohio State's faculty, administrators, staff and students, sets even more specific academic goals and defines the methods we will use to meet our aspirations,"Ray said. "We see this as a smart way to best serve the people of Ohio in this competitive academic environment, and expect that after making this collective effort to develop a plan, we will see results."

Kirwan said funding for the Academic Plan will be derived from four sources: additional state support as outlined in the recent Ohio Board of Regents budget proposal, funds redirected from University resources, private fund-raising and increased tuition. The Regents' proposal also includes a recommendation that Ohio State be granted relief from the state-mandated 6 percent cap on annual tuition increases. Kirwan said any tuition increase above the cap would go directly back to the students in the form of improvements to their educational experience, better academic support and increased need-based financial aid.

In addition to obtaining increased state support to successfully implement the University's ambitious agenda, Kirwan said Ohio State also must improve the organization and delivery of instruction, increase organizational flexibility and improve the faculty work environment.

He formally asked Senate to plan to study the concept of moving from quarters to semesters and to examine streamlining the General Education Curriculum, two recommendations proposed in the plan.

The Academic Plan first was released to the campus and community late last autumn, and went through a substantial review process among all constituency groups. The current plan, which incorporates much of the feedback received, has been streamlined and prioritized to focus on strategies determined most critical to Ohio State's success.

In his address to Senate, Kirwan called on faculty, administrators, staff and students to "collectively create a new University ethos"by establishing a culture of persistence, resolve and excellence in which everyone demands the highest standards of performance. "Let us seize the moment to create something rare in higher education -- the transformation of a good university into one that is truly great,"he said.

Kirwan and Ray will visit all colleges in the coming months to discuss the plan, which, as a "living document,"will be open to modifications. The plan also will be revisited annually as the University issues a report card of progress.

This issue of onCampus features the plan in a pull-out center section. The plan also is on the Web at www.osu.edu/academic plan/.

Academic Plan Strategies and Initiatives

Build a World-Class Faculty

• Over the next three to five years, recruit at least 12 faculty who have or are expected to attain the highest honors in their disciplines.

• Implement a faculty recruitment, retention and development plan that includes a competitive compensation structure that is in line with our peer institutions.

Develop Academic Programs that Define Ohio State as the Nation's Leading

• Continue the Strategic Investment approach by competitively funding initiatives that build programmatic strength and open new fields, with special emphasis on Ohio where appropriate.

• Significantly increase space dedicated to funded research beyond what is currently planned.

Enhance the Quality of the Teaching and Learning Environment

• Transform the Main Library into a 21st century Information Age center within five to 10 years, upgrade classroom space quality, and provide the latest technology tools to faculty, staff and students.

• Upgrade the quality of classroom pool space and enhance the appearance of the campus facilities and grounds.

• Provide faculty, staff and students with the latest technology tools for leadership in teaching, research and career development within the next five years.

Enhance and Better Serve the Student Body

• Make admissions to Ohio State selective throughout the year for new freshmen and transfer students; increase course accessibility, reduce class size, establish at least 10 Scholars programs that expand opportunities for students to live with those who share common interests; and provide ample merit- and need-based financial aid to undergraduates.

Create a Diverse University Community

• Hire at least five to 10 women and five to 10 minority faculty at a senior level each year for five years through the Faculty Hiring Assistance Program, and similarly recruit, retain and graduate more academically able minority students.

Help Build Ohio's Future

• Strengthen the scope and effectiveness of Ohio State's commitment to preschool-12th grade public education, and become a catalyst for developing Ohio's technology-based economy.