Ohio State board accepts funds, approves related matters
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University Board of Trustees accepted five new endowed funds, totaling $315,894, to support university research, instructional activities and service at its monthly meeting Friday (12/05).
The board also accepted 261 research grants and contracts awarded to the university during the month of October, totaling $29,452,016. In other business, the board approved a variety of fiscal, personnel and construction matters.
Named endowed funds
• The Ohio State University Press Fund, $200,000, provided by earnings of the University Press to further the scholarly publishing mission of the University Press
• The Keith H. Jung Memorial Fund, $50,000, provided by a gift from Keith H. Jung (J.D. cum laude, 1970) of Columbus to be used at the discretion of the dean of The Michael E. Moritz College of Law
• The Keys Association Endowment for Multiple Sclerosis Research, $25,893, provided by gifts from The Keys Association of Columbus to support the advancement of medical knowledge toward the prevention and cure of multiple sclerosis and related disorders
• Bright Community Property Trust Athletic Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from David Bright of Newport Coast, Calif., to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of student-athlete members of the varsity football team
• The John W. Berry Scholarship Fund, $15,000 (grandfathered), provided by gifts from the late John W. Berry, former trustee and Foundation Board member, along with a gift from John W. Berry, Jr., an Ohio State University Foundation Board member residing in Dayton
Change in description of named endowed fund
• The Henry C. Gelbke Endowed Scholarship Fund, established on June 29, 2001
Personnel appointments
• E. Antonio Chiocca has been named chairperson of the Department of Neurological Surgery and holder of The Dardinger Family Endowed Chair in Oncological Neurosurgery. He will serve as co-director of The Dardinger Neuro-oncology Center, director of Dardinger Neuro-oncolgy Research and director of Neurosurgical Services for the Health System, effective March 1, 2004, through Feb. 29, 2008. Chiocca is currently associate professor in surgery (neurosurgery) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and associate visiting neurosurgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. He holds a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and a doctorate from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, also in Houston.
• John M. Petry has been named acting chief of police in the Department of Public Safety Police Division, effective Nov. 27, 2003, through Nov. 26, 2004. Petry, a 25-year veteran of the university’s police force, served as deputy chief prior to his appointment.
• Vladimir M. Sloutsky has been appointed director of the Center for Cognitive Science, effective Nov. 1, 2003, through June 30, 2007.
• Stuart L. Cooper has been appointed chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering, effective Jan, 1, 2004, through Dec. 31, 2007.
Emeritus Titles
• Ted M. Cavender, professor emeritus in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, effective Dec. 1, 2003
• Bernard L. Erven, professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Developmental Economics, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Henricus A. Hoitink, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology (OARDC), effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Tatsuro Ichiishi, professor emeritus in the Department of Economics, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Carroll E. Mobley, Jr., professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Leo Paquette, professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Chung-Min Chen, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Garry E. Gibbons, associate professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Feb. 1, 2004
• James E. Hiss, associate professor emeritus in the Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture, effective Dec. 1, 2004
• David B. Patton, associate professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Jan. 1, 2004
• Robert D. Plymale, associate professor in Ohio State University Extension, effective April 1, 2004
• Janis A. Thompson, associate professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Feb. 1, 2004
• William F. Finney III, assistant professor emeritus in the School of Allied Medical Professions, effective Jan. 6, 2004
Resolutions in memoriam
• Franklin R. Buchanan, associate professor emeritus in the School of Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education, who died on Oct. 11, 2003
• Ruby M. Martin, assistant professor emeritus in the College of Nursing, who died Oct. 19, 2003
• Austin E. Ritchie, professor emeritus of agricultural education in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died Oct. 28, 2003
• Lucy J. Schneiter, instructor emeritus in the College of Nursing, who died Oct. 22, 2003
• Barbara A. Van Brimmer, associate professor and curator of the Medical Heritage Center, Prior Health Sciences Library, who died Oct. 9, 2003
Appointments to the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital Board
• John B. Gerlach, Jr. (2-year term)
• Melissa P. Ingwersen (3-year term)
• Dimon R. McFerson, chairman (through May 13, 2004)
• Sarah R. Soter (3-year term)
• Frank Wobst (2-year term)
New Department of Neurological Surgery approved
Trustees approved the creation of a Department of Neurological Surgery, effective immediately. Department status will allow the program, which had been a division, to recruit premier academic neurosurgeons; provide expanded research programs; enhance the quality of teaching for medical students, residents and specialty fellows; and provide expanded training for students in other health care professions.
Mathematical Biosciences Institute approved
Trustees approved the creation of a Mathematical Biosciences Institute that will focus on mathematical modeling of biological processes, giving Ohio State a national forum for mathematical biosciences. The institute will serve as a catalyst for interaction between mathematics and the biosciences, involving mathematical scientists and bioscientists in the solution of fundamental problems in the biosciences.
Center to focus on entrepreneurial research
Trustees approved the creation of a Center for Entrepreneurship in the Fisher College of Business, effective immediately. The new center will emphasize entrepreneurial research in addition to providing entrepreneurial service and teaching. The center reflects the growing interest in entrepreneurship at major colleges throughout the world.
Building named for wetlands supporter
The board approved the naming of the Wetlands Research and Education Building at 352 West Dodridge Street in honor of William G. Heffner of Columbus, a longtime supporter of the Wetlands Research Park, whose generosity has made it possible for faculty and students to continue their research efforts on the special ecosystem of a wetland.
Construction projects authorized
Trustees authorized the university to select qualified architectural/engineering firms and/or proceed with in-house design services for the following projects:
• Renovation of the Center for Automotive Research at 930 Kinnear Road. Project cost estimate is $871,579 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Replacement and addition of site lighting along Neil Avenue and other areas of the main campus to enhance campus safety. Estimated project cost is $500,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Rehabilitation of the “S Curve” section of Cannon Drive to ensure vehicular and pedestrian campus safety. Estimated project cost is $270,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Reorganization of the clinical space within Doan and Rhodes Halls by expanding the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the 6th floor of Doan Hall. Estimated project cost is $1,551,548 with funding to be provided by the University Hospital.
• Replacement of a deteriorating roof on Cunz Hall. Estimated project cost is $185,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Cleaning and sealing the exterior brick at Dreese Hall. Estimated project cost is $125,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Replacement of the roof on the Electroscience Building. Estimated project cost is $275,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Installation of a water booster pump station at the Marion Campus to improve water pressure throughout the entire campus. Estimated project cost is $500,000 - $550,000 with funding to be provided by Marion local funds.
• Replacement of the roof at McCampbell Hall. Estimated project cost is $120,000 with funding provided by House Bill 675.
• Replacement of the roof at Newton Hall. Estimated project cost is $625,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Construction of improved facilities on the branch farm campus at Eastern Ohio Research and Development Center in Caldwell. Estimated project cost is $794,000 with funding to be provided by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center local funds.
• Replacement of the office and shop building at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center muck crop locations. Estimated project cost is $825,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Overhaul and upgrade of the condensing steam turbine generator for the main campus to improve operating efficiency and extend the life of the generator. Estimated project cost is $2.6 million with funding to be provided by future university bond proceeds with debt service to be paid by an increase in the central utility assessment.
• Replacement of the heating system in Pomerene Hall. Estimated project cost is $350,000 with funding to be provided by House Bill 675.
• Improvement in the overall drainage in the area of the main campus south dorms to eliminate flooding problems and prevent future sewage and drainage problems. Estimated project cost is $625,000 with funding to be provided by future university bond proceeds with debt service to be paid by an increase in the central utility assessment.
• Renovation of University Hall in order to consolidate the deans of the Arts and Sciences colleges into a central location. The expected total project cost is $1 million to $3 million, and the College of Arts and Sciences has committed funds to finance a $12,000 study to determine space needs and future sources of funds.
The board authorized the university to request construction bids for the following projects:
• Renovation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the 6th floor of Doan Hall as part of a total $20 million to $25 million renovation of the clinical space at Doan and Rhodes Halls. Expected project cost is $1,551,548 with funding to be provided by the University Hospital.
• Replacement of the walkways leading to Lincoln and Morrill Towers. Construction document project costs is $855,000 with funding to be provided by House Bills 748, 675 and 790.
• Renovation of the green space on the Oval. Construction document project cost is $3 million with funding to be provided by House Bill 640 and Central University General Funds.
Medical Center to sell property
The board authorized the university to sell two parcels of improved real property that are no longer needed by the University Medical Center. The property at 225 North 21st Street in Newark will be purchased by Family Video Movie Club, Inc., for $375,000. The property at 5801 Tamarack Boulevard in Columbus will by purchased by Central Ohio Urgent Care Holdings, LLC, for $450,000.
Property purchase approved
The board authorized the purchase of improved real property at 1363 Hawthorne Avenue in Columbus for $85,000. Funding for the acquisition and use of this property will be provided by University Hospitals East.
Bylaw amendments approved
Trustees approved several amendments to the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees, the Rules of the University Faculty and the Bylaws of the University Senate.
Change in reporting lines approved
The board approved changing the reporting line and the awarding of degrees for the Undergraduate International Studies Program, an undergraduate interdisciplinary major program, from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to the executive dean of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, effective immediately.
Projects revisited
Trustees heard a quarterly report from University Architect Jill Morelli on key capital projects, the second of a new series of reports to be presented to the Fiscal Affairs Committee. The report provides trustees with updates on construction-related details pertaining to budget, funding sources, timeline, programmatic information and other key issues, such as the impact on traffic of projects in various stages of design and construction.
The projects reviewed, along with their status, were the Biomedical Research Tower (out for bidding), Ross Heart Hospital (in construction), Knowlton School of Architecture (in construction), Larkins Hall replacement (in construction), Thompson Library renovation (in design), McCracken Power Plant upgrade (in construction), Mechanical Engineering Building replacement (in design), Physical Sciences Research Building (in construction), Psychology Building (in design), and Ohio Stadium.
For the completed Ohio Stadium renovation and scoreboard projects, Morelli provided a “lessons learned” section that will be used to facilitate decision-making on future projects.
Council on Women's Issues report heard
Trustees heard a report on the progress of women in leadership at Ohio State based on the findings of the 2003 Status Report on Women, produced by the President's Council on Women's Issues. Kate Haller, associate general counsel in health sciences and chair of the council, told trustees that modest gains have been realized in the number of administrative positions occupied by women (2 percent), as well as in women faculty on tenure track (3 percent); of women associate professors (3 percent); and of women full professors (4 percent) over the past 10 years. Judy Fountain, associate vice provost for women's policy initiatives and director of The Women's Place, offered an update on the Faculty Cohort Project, a pilot project in its third of four years, and a research project under way to evaluate the effectiveness of the Faculty Cohort model in improving the retention of women faculty.
Annual research report given
The board heard the annual report on the Office of Research from Tom Rosol, interim vice president for research, who said Ohio State has experienced unprecedented growth in research since 1998, and now ranks 13th in research expenditures among public institutions and 39th among the National Institutes for Health peer rankings. Also presenting were John Roberts, professor of African American and African studies and associate dean of humanities, and Michael Knopp, professor of radiology and director of imaging research, who explained recent advances in non-invasive imaging techniques.
Student receives board recognition
Nowai Keleekai, an undergraduate in the College of Nursing, received the board’s Student Recognition Award. Keleekai, who was nominated by Dean Elizabeth Lenz, came to Ohio State as an Office of Minority Affairs Scholar and a Gates Millennium Scholar. She has been involved in a mentorship program in the Office of Minority Affairs and is a recipient of the office’s Outstanding Achievement Award. She received the National Institutes of Health Supplemental Research Grant to support her thesis. In addition, she holds a seat on the professional misconduct committee in the College of Nursing. She also is the college’s ombudsperson, an intern for the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and a member of Chi Eta Phi, a national professional minority nursing society.
Trustees heard report on Student Activity Fee
Trustees heard a report on the new Student Activity Fee, which is $15 each quarter for new full-time students. The fee supports student organizations and student government, and allows the university to offer student discounts on community cultural and entertainment events for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The Council on Student Affairs allocates the majority of the fee to the Ohio Union Activities Board for campus-wide entertainment.
