TRUSTEES

The Ohio State Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Nov. 1 in the Longaberger Alumni House. Ohio State is governed by a board of 11 trustees (including two nonvoting student members) who are responsible for oversight of academic programs, budgets and general administration, and employment of faculty and staff. The governor annually appoints one voting member to a nine-year term and one nonvoting student member to a two-year term.

University shows steady progress in reducing deficits

Turnaround puts Health System in black

The Ohio State Board of Trustees received some good news in the annual deficit report delivered during the Nov. 1 meeting.

William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, said that University Health System no longer has a deficit, and finances continue to improve. The University Health System had net positive operations of $4.2 million -- a $22.8 million improvement over last year, Shkurti said. Cash reserves remain strong at $74 million.

Since the report was initiated in 1993, 27 units have resolved deficits totaling $45.6 million. Currently, 16 units have deficits totaling $19.7 million -- less than 1 percent of the University's annual operating budget, Shkurti said.

William J. Shkurti

All significant deficits identified prior to fiscal year 2002 have been reduced while six new deficits developed during the fiscal year. Of the new deficits, Shkurti said all have reduction plans in place except Transportation and Parking Services, which currently is developing a plan and seeking input from its users.

Trustees also heard a first-quarter budget report delivered by Shkurti -- the first in a series of quarterly financial reports for fiscal year 2003. Shkurti told trustees that summer and fall quarter enrollments met projections, with total enrollment up 0.1 percent and non-resident enrollment down 2.9 percent. However, the financial impact on tuition and subsidy revenues is negligible.

Although state support may increase $2.3 million over spring quarter estimates, based on preliminary projections provided by the Board of Regents, Shkurti recommended the University hold off on possible changes in budget projections until mid year, due to the unpredictable economy and an unclear state budget picture.

Through the first quarter, indirect cost recoveries are 8.9 percent higher than in fiscal year 2002 compared to a 3.5 percent projected increase.

Shkurti said that year-to-date numbers for University Health System finances far exceed first quarter numbers from a year ago. The Department of Athletics' expenses are slightly ahead of last year due to equipment purchases, yet net operations are positive and within budget. First-quarter revenue and expenses are within budget for the Schottenstein Center, and positive year-end results are projected. First-quarter occupancy rates have been slightly less than projected at the Blackwell, while food and room revenue have been higher than projected. Overall operations are expected to be within budget.

Shkurti said that endowment distributions at the beginning of fiscal 2003 based on three-year averages increased 2.4 percent over fiscal 2002, from $61.3 million to $62.8 million.

Outreach conference, new initiatives outlined

Ohio State's commitment to outreach and engagement has resulted in a growing number of community partnerships and other programs that were highlighted during the University's Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 1.

Bobby Moser, vice president for University outreach and executive dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, briefed trustees on a national outreach scholarship conference "Catalyst for Change: Outreach Scholarship 2002," held last month in Columbus and attended by more than 460 people from 78 institutions.

Moser said the conference, co-sponsored by Ohio State, created a national forum for the discussion of outreach and engagement-related issues, including innovative and successful outreach initiatives; the scholarship implications of engagement, such as the need to develop best practices, document impact and undergo peer review; and how outreach affects promotion and tenure issues.

Moser noted that the University is focusing its outreach programs in three areas: P-12 education, economic development, and health and safety.

Public Health's role

The health and safety component of Ohio State's outreach and engagement initiative includes two major collaborations: the Ohio Health Literacy Initiative and participation in the Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness. Ronald St. Pierre, special assistant to the senior vice president for health sciences and coordinator of health and safety outreach projects, updated trustees on the partnerships' past year of activities.

The health literacy initiative, a project run by the School of Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Statewide Area Health Education Centers Program, centers on low literacy as an important health care issue in Ohio. Initiative leaders aim to educate Ohio health professional students and practitioners about the need to make health information understandable for patients at a range of literacy levels, promote research in health literacy and establish consultative services in health care organizations. In the year since the initiative launched, approximately 150 students and 500 professionals have been trained in revising written and oral language use to accommodate a variety of literacy levels among patients.

As a member of the Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness (A-CPHP), Ohio State is in a network of schools of public health partnering with state and local health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control to protect the nation from bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats. St. Pierre said the network's initial work revolves around coordinating training to close gaps in knowledge and skills that health professionals need to manage a bioterrorist event. The network will continually monitor training needs in sectors affected by public health emergencies, focusing on such issues as biological weapon identification, patient-care implications, worker safety, the psychosocial effects of bioterrorism and public health law.

College of Dentistry's role

Jan Kronmiller, dean of the College of Dentistry, told trustees that the college is one of 10 dental schools nationwide to receive a $1.5 million grant over a five-year period from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The grant program has two broad themes: to ensure that students spend at least 60 days of their clinical education in community-based sites and to enhance diversity within the dental profession.

Kronmiller said that the grant will allow the college to proceed with its outreach proposal, Oral Health Improvement Through Outreach (OHIO).

Dentistry's community-based education will initially involve four primary community-based sites: Ohio State's Nisonger Center for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Columbus Health Department, the Cincinnati Health Department, and Children's Hospital. Over the remaining four years of the grant, additional sites will be added to reach the goal of 60 days community-based service for all pre-doctoral students.

The recruitment portion of the proposal will enable the college to reach more underrepresented minority and low-income students.

"The RWJ grant program represents a great opportunity for the College to advance dental education," Kronmiller said. "We hope that with placement of our students in the community, we can give them a sense of the oral health needs of Ohioans, build stronger relationships with our practice colleagues, enhance the future dental workforce and provide a model for the rest of dental education."

Named endowed funds

A $2 million gift to the University from John G. and Jeanne McCoy of Columbus will benefit the OSU Heart Center and its internationally recognized heart programs. Established by trustees on Nov. 1, the John G. and Jeanne Bonnet McCoy Chair in the University Heart Center will support a nationally eminent faculty member in the College of Medicine and Public Health with a preference for the soon-to-be-named director of the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, now under construction on the medical campus.

Trustees accepted 12 other endowed funds for a total of nearly $3.2 million in gifts to Ohio State, as well as 234 research grants and contracts totaling $27 million. Trustees accepted the following named funds:

• The Evelyn Michael MBA Fellowship Fund, $253,750

• The Eleanor L. Craig Scholarship Fund, $173,606

• The William M. and Darlene Aldrige Agriculture Scholarship Fund, $150,000

• The George T. Harding III, M.D., Endowed Chair in Psychiatry Fund, $95,004

• The Herschel T. Meredith Endowed Fellowship Fund, $90,676

• The Herschel T. Meredith Women's Athletics Scholarship Fund, $90,676

• The Suzanne G. and Herschel T. Meredith Diabetes Research Fund, $90,676

• The Peter E. Mardikian Scholarship Fund, $52,615

• The Pauline and Jean Wyer Scholarship Fund, $51,181

• The Stephen D. Milligan Family Scholarship Fund, $46,706

• The Lloyd L. and Ilma L. Dowell Family Medicine Fund, $27,990

• The Philip W. Fisher MBA Fellowship Fund, $25,000

• The Oliver E. Hamilton Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, $25,000

Personnel appointments

• Kamilla K. Sigafoos has been appointed executive director of University Hospitals, effective Nov. 1. She will serve concurrently as associate vice president for health services.

• Glenn S. Daehn has been reappointed to the Dr. Mars G. Fontana Professorship in Metallurgical Engineering in the College of Engineering, effective through June 30, 2003.

• Stephanie Patton has been appointed to the Ohio State-Lima Regional Campus Board for a one-year term through July 1, 2003.

Emeritus title given

• George W. Waylonis, clinical professor emeritus in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, effective Nov. 1.

New institute approved

Trustees approved the creation of The William E. Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas, a collaborative effort by the College of Humanities, the Moritz College of Law and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The proposal was approved by the University Senate at its Oct. 10 meeting.

Law auditorium named

The board approved the naming of the auditorium located in John Deaver Drinko Hall at the Michael E. Moritz College of Law as the William B. Saxbe Auditorium, in honor of his many years of service to the University, the state and the nation. Saxbe, a 1948 graduate of Ohio State's College of Law, began his career in public service in 1946 with his election to the Ohio House of Representatives. He later served as Ohio Attorney General, U.S. Senator, U.S. Attorney General and Ambassador to India.

Easement granted

Trustees authorized the University to grant a perpetual roadway easement to the City of Columbus for construction of roadway improvements related to the widening of High Street in connection with the University's Gateway project. The easement affects approximately 0.0076 acres of University land at the northwest corner of the intersection of West 11th Avenue and High Street.

Contract amended

Trustees authorized the amendment of a resolution, approved at the Oct. 4 meeting, regarding the demolition and rebuilding of the bridges on Woody Hayes Drive over the Olentangy River and Olentangy River Road and the installation of a high-pressure steam line under the bridge structure. Funding for the $9.7 million project will be provided by future University bond proceeds, Transportation and Parking, and the Department of Physical Facilities.

Building approved

The board authorized the employment of an architectural/engineering firm for a new administration and classroom building on the Mansfield Campus to alleviate present shortages of space, plan for expected growth and enhance Ohio State's visibility. The preliminary project cost is $6.5 million with design costs funded by the Mansfield Campus.

Bidding waived

The board accepted the quarterly report on waivers of competitive bidding requirements, which are granted in the event of an emergency when a sufficient economic reason exists or when the goods or services can be purchased only from a single source.

During the period from July through September 2002, the senior vice president for business and finance granted 62 waivers of competitive bidding requirements for annual purchases totaling approximately $7.9 million. During the same period, the vice president for health services granted 39 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $18.5 million.

Greek Life updated

Trustees heard a report from the Office of Student Affairs on the Greek Life Task Force efforts to increase standards for campus fraternities and sororities. All 53 Greek organizations have taken part in a program on diversity, and the average grade point average of members has risen significantly.

Greek recruitment has been deferred to the second quarter of the academic year, allowing students to have a better idea of college life. The University also is experimenting with managing some of the Greek houses to maintain a higher standard of living for the residents.

ViewPoint highlighted

Trustees heard a report on ViewPoint Bistro, a restaurant operated by students in the College of Human Ecology's Hospitality Management Program. Housed in the Drake Performance and Event Center, the restaurant is a collaborative effort of the Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Consumer and Textile Science and provides hands-on training for students enrolled in four academic courses in hospitality management.

Program administrators also are working with the Blackwell on the Fisher College of Business campus on an internship program in hotel management.

Student recognized

Grace Nwoku, currently pursuing a master's degree in social work, received the board's Student Recognition Award. Nwoku is enrolled in the Advanced Standing option, an intensive program that requires one year of course and field work to earn a degree. Outside the University, she is a research assistant in a project that evaluates the effectiveness of 20 youth development programs in central Ohio. After she graduates, Nwoku wants to get involved in non-profit management and social activism, especially on issues that affect women, families and children.

FYE program a success

The board heard a presentation on the University's recruitment and retention strategies for incoming freshmen and the progress of the First Year Experience program. Since 1995, when retention issues began to be addressed, the profile of the entering class has improved significantly as more academically prepared students enroll. The average ACT has risen from 22.8 to 25.2, and first year retention has risen from 79 percent to 86.5 percent.

New marketing strategies have aided the recruitment process, and a number of collaborative programs, such as the First Year Success Series and the Buckeye Book Community, have contributed to helping freshmen feel welcome at Ohio State.

Practice group approved

The board also approved the creation of a College Central Practice Group to allow the physicians of the University Medical Center to transition to a single practice plan.

Moving to one practice plan is designed to improve the quality of the OSU Health System's academic and patient care missions, give the medical center even more growth opportunities and offer better alignment with the OSU Health System and College of Medicine and Public Health.