Honoring academic excellence
By Sean Fitzsimons Above, the OSU Marching Band surrounds the honored guests in the shape of University Hall. Many of Ohio State's outstanding professors were honored Nov. 2 in Ohio Stadium during halftime ceremonies of the OSU-Minnesota football game.
	Recipients of Diversity Enhancement Awards show their team spirit. From left: Leslie Fine, Angela Henderson, Karyl Shirkey, Jackie Royster and Ruth Colker. By Kevin Fitzsimons

State of the University excellent

Challenges, opportunities remain, Jennings, Holbrook tell Senate

By Joni Bentz Seal, onCAMPUS staff

Ohio State is well-positioned for the future and is on a course to become one of the nation's top institutions of higher learning, thanks to progress made on the Academic Plan, say the University's new leader and its former chief.

"I am pleased to report that the state of the University is excellent,"said Interim President Edward H. Jennings as he presented the 2002 State of the University Address to the Senate on Oct. 10. "In fact, we are much better than our reputation in the national popular surveys, a gap we are beginning to close by strengthening the preparation of our incoming students."

After Jennings highlighted progress and outlined initiatives and challenges facing the University, President Karen A. Holbrook shared her thoughts about the direction and the future of Ohio State -- the first time in University history when two presidents shared in delivering the address.

But while the University is celebrating many firsts in academic excellence, research and faculty recognition, Jennings cautioned Ohio State about resting on its laurels: "We have come a long way, but the world does not stand still, and the journey for excellence extends as far as the eye can see,"he said. "So, while looking back, we see progress; looking ahead, we see challenges and opportunities."

Challenges and opportunities

Jennings outlined six areas critical to achieving the initiatives of the Academic Plan, and called for the continued support of faculty, staff, students and the University community in reaching them. The six areas are:

• Increased faculty and staff compensation. Ohio State's goal to be a top-tier institution requires compensation levels that align with other top universities. Faculty and staff retention is critical as well. Jennings said the quality of the faculty, support staff and students is the best measure of Ohio State's excellence.

• Better academically prepared entering classes and overall student body. Competitive admissions will continue to increase the academic-preparedness of incoming freshmen, and has increased diversity, retention and graduation rates.

• Improved services to students. Ohio State competes not only in academic rankings, but also for students. Student referrals are key to recruiting top-performing students, and student services and quality in the classroom can be the makers or breakers of word of mouth, Jennings said. Increased faculty/student interaction, improved University buildings and resources, and ongoing recognition through prestigious teaching and research awards will position Ohio State to compete and win top students.

• Stronger undergraduate curriculum. Strengthening and improving General Education Curriculum course offerings, restructuring the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, and researching issues related to clinical faculty tracks and caps will help create a stronger undergraduate academic experience.

• Enhanced diversity. Even with competitive admissions, diversity of the student body continues to increase, Jennings said. Creation of the Diversity Council, President's Council on Women's Issues, and other leadership groups has ensured diversity as a top priority of the Academic Plan.

• Increased funding. Ohio State must demonstrate its value and the need for public support to the state legislature, Jennings said. Private fundraising, effective use of resources, frugal spending, and potential support from the Third Frontier technology initiative will allow the University to rely less on state support, he said. Further, a budget restructuring process better aligns college and support unit budgets with the Academic Plan and rewards innovation and creativity.

"We are now on a trajectory to realize the full aspirations of the Academic Plan and to expand our reputation and scope as one of the nation's very best teaching, research and service universities,"Jennings said. "Our ongoing commitment to academic excellence that began in 1870 continues to focus our efforts."

Holbrook's plans to forge the future

After Jennings' address, Holbrook shared her impressions of Ohio State's progress and offered an assessment of its future challenges.

Inspired by the Buckeye pride of nearly 100,000 faculty, staff and students and more than 300,000 alumni, Holbrook expressed appreciation for being selected as Ohio State's 13th president. "I understand both the privilege and the responsibility to have been invited to join you in forging the future of this great institution,"she said.

By Jo McCulty President Holbrook presents her remarks about the state of the University at the Oct. 10 Senate meeting.

Commending the groundwork laid by former presidents Jennings, Gee and Kirwan, Holbrook acknowledged the opportunity to spend her presidency advancing, rather than rescuing, a university.

"I am very fortunate to have come into an environment that does not need fixing, as some institutions do, but one that only needs to continue moving forward."

Holbrook said that change is the "real theme and underlying message"of the Academic Plan.

"Intentional, reflective change in many of our practices, policies and processes are already well under way, and embraced by the faculty, students, staff and administration,"she said. "Let's explore this commitment to change, and some of the elements to change that are essential if we are truly invested in becoming a first-tier university that can provide optimal benefit to our students, Ohio and the nation."

Holbrook reiterated the six critical areas highlighted by Jennings, and noted a few additional factors: the effect of new leadership and leadership style; the expansion of outreach activities, both locally and nationally; and an increase in collaboration with both internal and external groups, and organizations.

Among these factors she stressed the University's commitment to diversity not only in people, but in the cultures of the vastly different programs and disciplines that coexist at the University.

"The differences in academic practices among programs also should be tolerated,"she said. "And more importantly, should be supported with collegial style, which in the end will strengthen the institution overall."

Holbrook concluded with a sentiment she had shared often during her first few days as president: "I am excited about the opportunity to move forward at an ever-increasing rate to accomplish our goals. And I look forward to working with you as part of the very bright future for our students, our state and our nation, as we effect positive change guided by our Academic Plan."

Minority enrollment, retention increasing

Female professional students also on the rise

By Liz Cook, Media Relations

University initiatives to create a more diverse environment appear to be showing results. Statistics from the 15-day enrollment report for autumn quarter 2002 indicate that minority recruitment is increasing steadily at Ohio State.

For the second-consecutive year, enrollment increased statewide among African Americans (3,941; 4.3 percent increase from 3,780), Hispanic Americans (1,034; 6.7 percent increase from 969) and Native Americans (233; 3.6 percent increase from 225). Asian Americans (2,652; 3.3 percent increase from 2,568) marked their highest enrollment since 1999.

On the Columbus campus, the 5,888-member freshmen class is touted as the most diverse at 18 percent. The class also shares the distinction as one of the University's best academically prepared in matching last year's record ACT average of 25.2.

Mac Stewart, vice provost for minority affairs, said a University effort to foster a welcoming environment and Ohio State's Diversity Action Plan, adopted in September 2000, are among the reasons for the increased enrollment.

"Ohio State is a large university offering many opportunities,"Stewart said. "We have found that the key to attracting minority students is to create learning and living environments that are not only academically stimulating but welcoming to cultural differences."

Retention efforts showed progress as well.

First-year retention rates increased 2 percent to an all-time high of 86.5 percent in 2001, marking the continuation of an upward trend that began in 1995. Additionally, second-year retention rates increased from 75.8 percent to 79 percent as well as for the third year, rising from 66 percent to 70.8 percent.

Martha Garland, vice provost and dean for undergraduate studies, said retention is another key focus of the University.

"Our success in part is credited to the academic quality of students attending Ohio State and also to specific programming the colleges and departments, in student affairs, and through the First Year Experience program, all of which are increasingly striving to personalize the student experience,"Garland said. "We make graduation the goal of every Ohio State student."

Graduate and professional students also enrolled in larger numbers.

A record number of women (1,604) pursuing careers in dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine led to overall professional school enrollment surpassing 3,000 for the first time. Graduate school enrollment reached 10,218 with international students attending at a record 2,772.

Total enrollment on the Columbus campus rose to 49,676, representing a 2.5 percent increase from the previous year of 48,477. Regional campuses, paced by a 10.4 percent increase at Marion, elevated overall enrollment 2.8 percent to 57,271. The figure was 55,737 in 2001.

Autumn 2002 enrollment summary

Columbus campus

• Undergraduate, graduate and professional: 49,676 (+2.5 percent; 48,477 in 2001)

• Undergraduate only: 36,855 (+2.2 percent; 36,049 in 2001)

• Professional only: 3,060 (+2.8 percent; 2,976 in 2001)

• Graduate only: 9,761 (+3.3 percent; 9,452 in 2001)

Regional campuses (undergraduate and graduate)

• Ohio State Lima: 1,412 (+4.1 percent; 1,356 in 2001)

• Ohio State Mansfield: 1,513 (+1.2 percent; 1,495 in 2001)

• Ohio State Marion: 1,534 (+10.4 percent; 1,390 in 2001)

• Ohio State Newark: 2,229 (+7.2 percent; 2,079 in 2001)

• ATI at Wooster: 907 (-3.5 percent; 940 in 2001)

All campuses

• Undergraduate, graduate and professional: 57,271(+2.8 percent; 55,737 in 2001)