Campus free speech policy, resolution reaffirm Ohio State’s commitment to intellectual diversity

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has reconfirmed the university’s foundational commitment to the values of free speech, open debate, intellectual diversity and the development of independent decision-making abilities in students.

The board voted Thursday to adopt a new campus free speech policy, which aligns with state law concerning campus free speech. The Ohio law requires universities in the state to adopt a policy affirming several principles of campus free speech.

Also on Thursday, the board approved a resolution reaffirming the foundational values of intellectual diversity. Ohio State is already taking steps to emphasize that all viewpoints are welcome and respected on the university’s campuses. 

Ohio State trustees passed an interim free speech policy and process at their August 2022 meeting.

The policy aligns with the university’s Shared Values, which include a commitment to diversity and innovation, and a statement from trustees announcing their unified opposition to Senate Bill 83.

Board members also heard a draft plan of short-, medium- and long-term planning that would re-make the physical appearance of Ohio State’s campus.

Framework 3.0 updates two previous Columbus campus master planning documents and supports teaching, research and patient care.

Campus planners from Planning, Architecture and Real Estate and the Office of Administration and Planning have worked with university stakeholders since last June on planning.

Final feedback and renderings will be presented to the Board of Trustees as part of a final Framework 3.0 plan in August.

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Personnel actions announced
Trustees approved the following personnel actions:

• The hiring of Karen Rose as dean of the College of Nursing in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• The appointment extension of Don Pope-Davis as dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.
• The appointment extension of Henry Mann as dean in the College of Pharmacy in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting July 1, 2023, and ending Aug. 31, 2023.
• The interim appointments of:
  • Karla Zadnik as interim dean of the College of Public Health in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.
  • Margaret Young as interim dean of Ohio State’s Lima campus for a term starting March 30, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.
  • Katie Hall as interim senior vice president, talent, culture and human resources, in the Office of the President, for a term starting April 3, 2023, and ending March 31, 2024.

Faculty personnel actions approved
The board approved the following appointments:

• Cindy Anderson has been appointed professor (Distinguished Professor of Maternal-Infant Health) in the College of Nursing for a term running from March 5, 2023, through March 5, 2028.
• Aaron Clark has been appointed associate professor-clinical and chair (The Warner M. and Lora Kays Pomerene Chair in Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term running from March 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Jennifer Clark has been appointed professor (Knowlton School Distinguished Professor) in the College of Engineering for a term starting June 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• Chyke Doubeni has been appointed professor (The Klotz Chair in Cancer Research #6) in the College of Medicine for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• James Ippolito has been appointed professor (Dr. Rattan Lal Endowed Professor) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Science for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• Courtney Jatana has been appointed associate professor-clinical (Dr. Larry J. Peterson Endowed Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) in the College of Dentistry for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through May 30, 2028.
• Matthew Kalady has been appointed professor (The John L. Marakas Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Foundation Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Kelly Kennedy has been appointed associate professor-clinical (Dr. Morgan L. Allison Endowed Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) in the College of Dentistry for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through May 30, 2028.
• Deanna Kroetz has been appointed dean and professor in the College of Pharmacy for a term starting September 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• Dana Mctigue has been appointed professor (The Belford Family Endowed Chair in Spinal Cord Injury) in the College of Medicine for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Lorraine Mion has been appointed research professor (Distinguished Professor of Gerontological Nursing) in the College of Nursing for a term starting April 10, 2023, and running through April 10, 2028.
• Anthony Padgett has been appointed general manager (Tom Rieland Endowed WOSU General Manager) in Administration and Planning beginning March 6, 2023.
• Siddharth Rajan has been appointed professor (Distinguished Professor of Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• Balasubramaniam Shanker has been appointed professor and chair (The Elizabeth and John Tinkham Endowed Professorship in Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2028.
• Eric Singer has been appointed professor-clinical (The Dave Longaberger Endowed Chair in Urology) in the College of Medicine for a term starting May 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Joshua Smyth has been appointed professor (Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting August 1, 2023, and running through July 31, 2028.
• Margaret Young has been appointed interim dean and director at Ohio State Lima for a term starting April 19, 2023, and running through June 30, 2024, or until a new dean and director is appointed.

Reappointments

• Oliver Adunka has been reappointed professor (The William H. Saunders M.D. Professorship in Otolaryngology) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Jennifer Bogner has been reappointed professor (Bert C. Wiley, M.D., Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Oct. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• John Christman has been reappointed professor (The John A. Prior Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Daniel Clinchot has been reappointed professor and chair (The Harry C. and Mary Elizabeth Powelson Professorship of Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Sept. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027
• Philip Diaz has been reappointed professor (The Battelle Professorship in Inhalation Therapeutics) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Sept. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Ramesh Ganju has been reappointed professor (Ernest Scott, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Pathology) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• W.S. Winston Ho has been reappointed professor (Distinguished Professor of Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term starting July 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Safdar Khan has been reappointed professor-clinical (The Dr. Benjamin R. and Helen Slack Wiltberger Memorial Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• James Landers has been reappointed associate professor-clinical (Harold L and Audrey P Enarson Professorship in Public Policy) in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for a term starting Aug. 15, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2025.
• Peter Mansoor has been reappointed professor (Raymond E. Mason Chair in Military History) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting July 1, 2019, and running through June 30, 2024.
• Peter Mohler has been reappointed professor (The John H. and Mildred C. Lumley Chair in Medicine) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Nahush Mokadam has been reappointed professor (The Gerard S. Kakos, MD and Thomas E. Williams, Jr., MD, PhD, Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Aug. 15, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Oluyinka Olutoye has been reappointed professor (The E. Thomas Boles Jr. M.D. Chair in Pediatric Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Aug. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Jeffrey Parvin has been reappointed professor (The Louis Levy Professorship for Cancer) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
• Raphael Pollock has been reappointed professor (The Klotz Chair in Cancer Research #4) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Nov. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Jan Schwab has been reappointed professor (The William E. Hunt, M.D. and Charlotte M. Curtis Chair in Neuroscience) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Feb. 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2027.
• Claire Verschraegen has been reappointed professor (Diane Nye and Michael Rayden Chair in Innovative Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2024.

Extensions

• Donald Pope-Davis has been extended as dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology for a term starting July 1, 2023, and running through June 30, 2025.
• Karla Zadnik has been extended as dean of the College of Optometry for a term starting July 1, 2024, and running through June 30, 2025.

The board also approved appointments and reappointments of department chairs, faculty professional leave arrangements, emeritus titles and promotion, tenure and reappointment results.

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:

• East Hospital fourth floor operating room upgrades
  Professional services and construction approval totaling $22.3 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Waterman Multispecies Animal Learning Center
  Professional services contract totaling $900,000, to be paid for with fundraising, university funds and university debt.
• Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex, phase 2
  Construction contract totaling $76.4 million, to be paid for with fundraising, university debt and state funds.
• Campbell Hall renovation
  Construction contract totaling $49 million, to be paid for with fundraising, university debt and state funds.

Resolutions in Memoriam approved

• Barbara A. Nelson, faculty emerita in what was then the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Jan. 10, 2023, at age 91.
• Syed Saiduddin, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, who died on Nov. 10, 2022.
• Samuel James Wood, professor emeritus of crop production and management at ATI in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Feb. 3., 2023.

Master of health and wellness degree approved
Trustees approved the establishment of a master of health and wellness degree in the College of Nursing.

Name change of master’s degree program approved
Trustees approved the changing of the name of the master of dental hygiene degree program in the College of Dentistry to the master of science in dental hygiene. The previous term used is not commonly used within the profession.

Purchase of real property approved
The board approved the purchase of 0.1 acres on West Norwich Avenue between Perry Street and Tuttle Park Place in Columbus. The purchase aligns the ownership with the present operating conditions.

Interim operating budget for fiscal year 2024 approved
The board approved an interim operating budget that allows the university to continue to advance academic and financial goals during the period from July 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2023.

Awarding of honorary degree approved
Trustees approved the awarding of an honorary doctorate degree of public service to Gen. John M. Murray.

Awarding of summer term 2023 degrees and certificates approved
Trustees approved the awarding of degrees and certificates on Aug. 6, 2023, to students who have completed the requirements and are recommended by the colleges and schools.

Interim capital investment plan for fiscal year 2024 approved
Trustees approved the interim capital investment plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The plan will allow the university to begin or continue capital projects in support of strategic goals during the period from July 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2023.

Ohio State Energy Partners utility system interim capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2024 approved
Trustees approved the Ohio State Energy Partners’ fiscal year 2024 plan to make capital improvements.

Tuition waiver for students participating in study abroad programs through third-party provider or direct enrollment approved
The board approved the waiver for study abroad programs for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Since fiscal year 2015, Ohio State has requested and received a tuition waiver for approved third-party provider or direct enrollment study abroad programs from the board and the Ohio Department of Higher Education so that students avoid two tuition payments during study abroad.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of March 31, 2023, which includes the establishment of one endowed chair: The College of Engineering Endowed Chair; three endowed professorships: the Endowed Professorship in Internal Medicine Research, the Endowed Professorship for Research in Internal Medicine and the Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Professorship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; one designated professorship: the Berry’s Blooms Designated Professorship; two endowed professorship funds: the Timashev Professorship Fund in the College of Engineering and the Timashev Professorship Fund in the Max M. Fisher College of Business; eight scholarships as part of the Scarlet & Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; and 29 additional named endowed funds.

Amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty approved
Trustees approved the adoption of amendments to the rules as approved by the University Senate.

Naming of scholarship program
The board approved the naming of the Eminence Fellows Program in Honors and Scholars. The program is a four-year journey of academic rigor, service and leadership providing extraordinary opportunities and support for students who want to make a positive contribution to the world.

Amendment to the authorization for issuance of additional general receipts obligations and authorization of Multiyear Debt Issuance Program II to increase the aggregate principal amount that can be issued approved
The board approved the issuance of additional general receipts obligations and authorization of Multiyear Debt Issuance Program II.

Authorization for designated officials to buy, sell, assign and transfer securities, to deposit or withdraw funds from bank and investment accounts, to designate depositories and to execute treasury- and insurance-related agreements approved
Trustees approved the authorization.

Appointments to the Self-Insurance Board approved
The board approved the following reappointments and appointments to members of the board, which oversees the university’s Self-Insurance Program:
Reappointments:

• Michael P. Leach, term ending June 30, 2026
• Cynthia A. Powell, CPA, term ending June 30, 2025

Appointments, effective July 1, 2023:

• President, Faculty Group Practice (L. Arick Forrest, MD)
•  Chief Financial Officer, Wexner Medical Center (Vincent Tammaro)
• Chief Clinical Officer, Wexner Medical Center (Andrew Thomas, MD)
• Treasurer, The Ohio State University (Jake Wozniak)

Authorization of second amendment to first amended and restated long-term lease and concession agreement for the university utility system approved
The board approved the amendment that includes authorization to specify the calculation of federal and state tax fees paid to Ohio State Energy Partners, the concessionaire.

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

• NetJets Landing in the Ohio State Loge Club and Northwest Suites area in Ohio Stadium
• Sarah Ross Soter Women’s Health Research Neighborhood in the Pelotonia Research Center (fifth floor)
• Sarah Ross Soter Women’s Health Research Program in the College of Medicine. The program will be devoted to translational research, fueling groundbreaking research and accelerating successful new treatments for women.
• Cameron and Molly Mitchell Imaging Waiting Room (2200) in the James Outpatient Care facility
• Generous gift from David H. Levine, MD, in memory of Suzanne Barclay Levine, RN, MS (285) and Dr. Michael and Susan Patzakis Conference Room (372) in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center
• Bill Mitsch Wetland Collection Room (room 101) in the Heffner Wetland Research and Education Building
• “In Memory of all our animals - from our 1,000 lb. horse Hollywood to our 9 lb. cat Angelo. John & Barbara Morrison OSU ’66” exam room 5 (room 177) in the Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic