Academic council to search for civics center executive director

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees appointed a national group of scholars to search for the first leader of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society.

The inaugural academic council of seven members will conduct a national search for an executive director for the center.

This year the Ohio General Assembly selected Ohio State and four other state universities to establish academic centers for teaching and researching the foundation and growth of the American constitutional order and society. At Ohio State, the Chase Center will be an independent academic center physically housed in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

The seven scholars of the academic council are noted for their national reputations for academic excellence, and their appointment is subject to the consent of the Ohio Senate.

The Chase Center will be a focal point for advancing the values to which the nation is committed, including free speech, civil discourse, critical thinking and intellectual diversity.

The academic council members will recommend finalists for the executive director position to the president of the university, subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees. The scholars are:

• Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. 
• Vladimir Kogan, professor of political science at Ohio State.
• Lucas Morel, John K. Boardman, Jr. Professor of Politics and Head of the Politics Department at Washington and Lee University.
• Colleen Sheehan, professor, Arizona State University School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
• Bradley Smith, Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nauly Professor of Law at Capital University Law School.
• David Van Slyke, dean, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business-Government Policy at Syracuse University.
• Jean Yarbrough, Gary M. Pendy Sr. Professor of Social Sciences at Bowdoin University.

Trustees also approved Karla Zadnik as interim executive vice president and provost, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

As interim provost, Zadnik will lead Ohio State’s mission as the chief academic officer.

Zadnik is the first woman dean of Ohio State’s College of Optometry, the first woman dean of a public school or college of optometry, and a prominent patient-oriented researcher in the field of optometry and vision science. She is an Ohio State Distinguished Scholar, serves as the lead dean for the university’s seven health science colleges and chairs the Biomedical Sciences Institutional Review Board.

She has been dean of the College of Optometry since 2014, and is the Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics. She has also served as interim dean of the College of Public Health since July. Zadnik will serve as Ohio State’s interim provost as well as remain in her position as interim dean of the College of Public Health.

Jeffrey Walline, associate dean for research in optometry, will lead the College of Optometry as interim dean. The university will announce the search committee for Ohio State’s next executive vice president and provost in the coming weeks.

The board and acting President Peter Mohler also discussed the Israel-Hamas War and safety and security on campus. Board Chair Hiroyuki Fujita strongly supported Mohler’s recent messages to the community, which reiterated that Ohio State does not tolerate violations of the law or university policy and does not tolerate hatred, intimidation or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity. 

“Our focus on safety and supporting the Ohio State community is critical to creating an environment with zero tolerance for threats, discrimination and harassment of any kind,” said Fujita, who applauded Mohler’s leadership in recent weeks to add more lights, cameras, license plate readers, and more to help make the campus area safer.

Fujita called on Mohler to “take a bold step forward to make Ohio State a leader and convener in addressing crime and its causes over the long term” by bringing together stakeholders across Columbus, the region and Ohio. Mohler said he would work with senior leaders and incoming President Ted Carter, who joins the university on Jan. 1, 2024, to prioritize addressing crime and safety in the community.

Mohler emphasized that Ohio State will continue to support all members of the community.

“During times like this, it’s easy to focus on our differences,” he said. “But it’s important to remember that all of us are part of The Ohio State University – a place for people to come together – even and especially when our differences seem the greatest. We know everything we accomplish means more, and does more, when we accomplish it together.”

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

• FY24 College Facility Master Plans
  Professional services contracts totaling $1 million, to be paid for with university funds.
• RadOnc Advanced Imaging Linac
  Professional services contracts totaling $900,000, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• 2001 Polaris Parkway ­– Cell Therapy Lab
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $6.9 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• The James Outpatient Care – Fourth Floor Ortho Sarcoma and Rehab
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $8 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Tunnel Rehabilitation Phase I
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $5.3 million, to be paid for with university debt and partner funds.
• Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $38.3 million, to be paid for with university debt, auxiliary funds and fundraising.
• Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $10.6 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center
  Construction contracts totaling $19.7 million, to be paid for with partner funds and grant funds.
• East Hospital – Fire Suppression
  Construction contracts totaling $5.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Property transactions approved
The board approved the sale of property located at:

• 7706 Olentangy River Road in Columbus, which no longer aligns with the Wexner Medical Center’s ambulatory care strategy.

The board approved the acquisition of property located at:

• 1795 Oil City Road near Wooster, which the university has been leasing. Ohio State has identified the site for long-term strategic purposes.

The board approved the ground lease of property located at:

• 3025 W. Dublin Granville Road in Columbus. The university is leasing 10 acres for use by the Voyager Space, Starlab, ground-based Terrestrial Analog Facility.

Resolutions in Memoriam approved

• Edward “Ed” J. Kane, professor emeritus in the Department of Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on March 2, 2023, at age 87.
• Stella Bicouvaris Kontras, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the College of Medicine, who died on Aug. 8, 2023, at age 95.
• John David Latshaw, professor emeritus of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 10, 2023.
• Sean O’ Sullivan, associate professor in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Oct. 17, 2023, at age 58.
• Alma Montano Saddam, faculty emerita in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Sept. 25, 2023, at age 85.
• Neil E. Smeck, professor emeritus of soil science in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Aug. 14, 2023. 
• Ruben “Mark” Sulc, professor of horticulture and crop science in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept.16, 2023. 
• Luther G. Tweeten, professor emeritus of agricultural economics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died on Oct. 25, 2023.

FY23 progress report on Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency recommendations
The board approved the annual report required by House Bill 49, which says that the board of trustees of each state college and university must approve an efficiency report based on the task force recommendations each fiscal year and submit it to the chancellor of higher education.

Discontinuation of transcript withholding for unpaid balances approved
Trustees approved discontinuing the practice of transcript withholding for students and former students for unpaid balances.

Board committee appointments ratified
The board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2024-25 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life

• Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler
• Reginald A. Wilkinson
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Susan E. Cole (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & Investment

• Tomislav B. Mitevski, chair
• James D. Klingbeil, vice chair
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Amy Chronis
• Kent M. Stahl
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance

• Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
• Michael Kiggin, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities

• Alan A. Stockmeister, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• James D. Klingbeil
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

• Lewis Von Thaer, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance

• John W. Zeiger, chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center

• Leslie H. Wexner, chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Juan Jose Perez
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Stephen D. Steinour
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Cindy Hilsheimer
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)
• Peter J. Mohler (ex officio, voting)
• Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)
• Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
• John J. Warner (ex officio, voting)

Bylaw changes to Wexner Medical Center board approved
Trustees approved amendments to the bylaws of the Wexner Medical Center Board.

Audited consolidated financial statements approved
The board approved the draft audited consolidated financial statements to the Auditor of State. The university annually seeks an independent audit of the consolidated statements as a matter of strong financial oversight.

Ratification of cost allocation agreement approved
The board approved a cost allocation agreement regarding the Combined Heat and Power Plant with Ohio State Energy Partners.

Code of Student Conduct amendments approved
Trustees approved revisions to the Code of Student Conduct, which the Council of Student Affairs is required to review every five years.

Personnel actions approved
The board approved the following faculty appointments:

• Xun Ai has been appointed professor (Fred A. Hitchcock Professorship in Environmental Physiology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Nina Kraguljac has been appointed professor (Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Professorship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Whitney Luke has been appointed professor and chair (Dr. Ernest W. Johnson Endowed Chair) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Alan Luo has been appointed professor (Donald D. Glower Chair in Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Samilia Obeng-Gyasi has been appointed associate professor (Endowed Surgical Professorship in Health Equity) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Eugene Oltz has been appointed professor and chair (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chair for Clinical Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Aug. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Kaya Sahin has been appointed vice provost for international affairs and global strategies in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2029.
• Claudia Turro has been appointed professor and chair (Dr. Melvin L. Morris Endowed Professorship in Inorganic Chemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through Aug. 14, 2028.
• Diane Von Ah has been appointed professor (Mildred E. Newton Professorship) in the College of Nursing for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2028.
• Daniel Wozniak has been appointed professor (The Samuel Saslaw Professorship in Infectious Diseases) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Elizabeth Yu has been appointed associate professor-clinical (Dr. Benjamin R. and Helen Slack Wiltberger Memorial Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

Reappointments

• Ahmad Al-Jallad has been reappointed professor (M.S. Sofia Chair in Arabic Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug.16, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Skyler Cranmer has been reappointed professor (Carter Phillips and Sue Henry Professorship in Political Science) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Michael Early has been reappointed professor-clinical (Vision Service Plan (VSP) Chair for the Advancement of Professional Practice) in the College of Optometry for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
• Jared Gardner has been reappointed professor (Joseph V. Denney Designated Professorship in English) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 16, 2023, through Aug. 15, 2028.
• Benjamin Segal has been reappointed professor and chair (Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross Chair in Neuromodulation) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Alexander Wendt has been reappointed professor (Ralph D. Mershon Professorship in National Security Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

The board also approved the following senior employee agreements:

• Trevor Brown, extension as dean, John Glenn College of Public Affairs in the Office of Academic Affairs, through June 30, 2025.
• Jay Kasey, retention payment as senior vice president for Administration and Planning in the Office of the President, through June 30, 2024.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved the degrees and certificates for students who have completed the necessary requirements, to be conferred on Dec. 17, 2023.

Utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2024 approved
Trustees approved the Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2024.

Joint use agreements approved
The board approved joint use agreements with the following entities, as specified in the 2023-24 state capital budget:

• Highland Youth Garden
• Kitchen of Life
• Pickaway County Community Foundation
• Zora’s House

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Sept. 30, 2023, which includes the establishment of two endowed professorships: the Philip Barbour Hardymon Professorship in Surgery and the Endowed Surgical Professorship in Health Equity; three scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 12 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of five named endowed funds.

Football ticket prices and golf course membership dues approved
The board approved ticket prices for the Buckeyes’ eight-game, 2024 home football season. Trustees also approved a plan to allow the Department of Athletics to finalize football ticket price ranges for two future seasons – 2025 and 2026 – and approved an increase in membership dues for the Ohio State Golf Course.

Naming of university spaces approved
The board approved the naming of the following spaces:

• The student commons in Galvin Hall at the Lima campus as the G. Gilbert Cloyd Student Commons

Internal spaces in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center:

• Drs. Caroline Whitacre and Michael Para Administrative Suite (330)
• Anne E. Klamar, MD, and Robert C. Klamar, MD, Administrative Suite (405)
• Generous gift from Lisa and Larry Copeland (010)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1970 (012)
• Dr. R. Eugene Arthur and Catherine Arthur Conference Room (329)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1971 (132)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1973 (4-year program) (232)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1972 (234)
• Gary Bitonte, MD, FACS Dean’s Conference Room (Room 300C)
• Generous gift from John Lewis Melvin and Carol Melvin Pate (005)
• Generous gift from Milo Hilty, MD, Pediatric ID & Mrs. Susan Hilty (125)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1990 (135)
• Brenda R. & Joel E. Goodnough, ‘79 MD, Res, Conference Room and Library (440B)
• Generous gift from Dr. Ashish & Dr. Bethany Panchal, Class of 2005 (225)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1977 (235)
•  Generous gift from Mr. Laurence B. Stone and Dr. Linda C. Stone (305B)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1985 (320L)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1960 (320A)
• Generous gift from Dina K. Rooney ‘89 MD in memory of Dr. Bertha Bouroncle (015B)
•  Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1997 (002C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 2000 (014)
•  Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1996 (015A)
• Howard H. Lee, ‘87 MD, Res and Jean S. Lew, DDS Study Room (016)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1975 (018)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1966 (025K)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1989 in memory of our classmates (025L)
•  Generous gift from R. M. Deamer ‘67 MD, in memory of Zena Deamer & G. H. Griffith (405D)
• Generous gift from Dr. Eric Okum (015C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1992 (015E)
• Generous gift from the MD Class of 2002 (015G)
• Donna A. Caniano, MD Study Room (015Q)
• Generous gift from Dr. Eric Altneu & Dr. Kelly Copeland Hall (015R)
•  Generous gift from the College of Medicine Class of 2015 (340A)
•  Generous gift from Dr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Stephanie Caterino (420Q)
• Dr. James Hutchinson Williams Interview Room (425)
• Generous gift from Dr. Roger A. & Mrs. Marilyn B. Friedman (340B)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 2007 (350C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1986 (350A)
• Generous gift from Kevin D. Hollis MD, MBA & KaSheena Hollis, DMD and Demicha Rankin, MD & Chay Rankin MBA (428B)a

Internal spaces in the Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute:

• Benhase Family Respite Area (X1820C)
• Lisa H. Ricker Respite Area (X1920C)
• Kathy & Alec Wightman Respite Area (X2020C)

An internal space in the James Outpatient Care facility:

• Generous gift from Sandra and David Filbert (6246)

Internal spaces in Galvin Hall at the Lima campus:

• The Rudolph “Rudy” Schneidhorst, DVM Conference Room
• Dr. Earl, Brenda, Craig & Kevin Recker Catering Kitchen
• The Phelps Family Huddle Room

An internal space in the Veterinary Medical Center:

• Exam Room 5 as the Generously donated by Alpha Psi Alumni Association Alpha Chapter est. 1907