Ohio State trustees meet, approve university matters - 02/02/07

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees passed a series of motions Friday (2/2) regarding board governance that will form a resolution for approval at the March meeting:

•All voting members of the Board of Trustees will be eligible to be elected to the office of chair.
•The chair will be elected for a two-year period, subject to an annual review, with the possibility of re-election for a third year.
•The election of a chair will require a majority of all voting members.
•The voting will be by secret ballot.
•The election for the 2007-2008 chair will take place at the March meeting. The new chair will take office at the conclusion of the May board meeting.
These motions represent a change over current practices, in which each trustee serves as chair in his or her ninth year of service on the board. With the recent addition of six new trustees to the board, an election process was recommended by the board committee charged with reviewing governance.
In other business, the board approved a variety of university-related items, including personnel, fiscal and construction-related matters.

College of Public Health established
The board approved moving the School of Public Health to college status, effective immediately. Established in 1995, the School of Public Health is the only accredited school of public health in Ohio and has the largest, most comprehensive public health offerings. College status will enhance recruitment of faculty; enhance research, teaching and outreach contributions; and help remove the ambiguity concerning the school's eligibility for continued accreditation.

Center for Family Research established
The Center for Family Research, a collaborative initiative of The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Education and Human Ecology, was established, effective immediately, with board approval. The center will conduct research on improving the lives of children and families. It will be interdisciplinary in nature, provide high quality undergraduate and graduate experiences and serve as a catalyst for outreach and engagement strategies to strengthen individuals and families.

Regional board appointment approved
The board approved the appointment of Ronald J. Scharer to a first term as a member of the Marion Regional Campus Board, effective Feb. 8, 2007 through June 30, 2008.

OSU Harding Hospital board appointments approved
The board approved the appointment/reappointment of the following as citizen members of the OSU Harding Hospital Board of Trustees:
•Yvette McGee-Brown, effective Feb. 1, 2007, through Jan 31, 2010 (first term)
•Richard Harding, effective May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2009 (second term)
•Sul R. Thorward, effective May 1, 2006, through April 30, 2009 (second term)

Hospital merger authorized
The board authorized University Hospital and University Hospital East to merge into a single entity with a single medical staff and a single provider number. The Medical Center determined that the merger will result in efficiencies in patient care, increased opportunities to support the Medical Center's academic mission and improved financial performance. The merger will become effective on July 1, 2007.

Medical staff bylaws amended
The board approved adoption of several amendments to the University Hospital East Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff that will allow podiatrists to admit podiatric patients and that clarify conditions under which disaster privileges may be granted.

Use of "Center" approved
The board approved the use of the term "center" for the College of Medicine's Center for Vascular Imaging – an umbrella entity for the clinical activities that currently exist in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery and Radiology. Unless approved by the Council on Academic Affairs, "center" is limited to academic centers, and the council approved the request on Jan. 17, 2007.

Personnel Actions
•Donna McCarthy Beckett has been named the Mildred E. Newton Professor in the College of Nursing, effective Jan. 2, 2007, through June 30, 2010. Prior to this, she was professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Nursing.
•Anand Desai has been named interim director of the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2007, through June 30, 2007.
•Charles R. Wise has been named director and professor in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, effective Aug. 1, 2007, through June 30, 2011.
•Grant S. Frazer has been named director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, effective Dec. 1, 2006. He holds a concurrent appointment as associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
•Thomas W. Johnson has been named interim university treasurer in the Office of Business and Finance, effective Feb. 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2007. He holds a concurrent appointment as executive-in-residence in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.
•Deborah S. Larsen has been named associate vice president in the Office of Health Sciences, effective Jan. 1, 2007. She holds a concurrent appointment as director of the School of Allied Medical Professions.
•Susan E. Metros has been named interim chief information officer in the Office of Information Technology, effective Feb. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2007. Prior to this appointment, she served as deputy chief information officer.
•Michael M. Veres has been named interim senior deputy chief information office in the Office of Information Technology, effective Feb. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2007. Prior to this appointment, he was deputy chief information officer.
•Sanjay Rajagopalan has been named The John W. Wolfe Professor in Cardiovascular Research in The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, effective Oct. 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010.
•Oded Shenkar has been named professor and holder of The Ford Motor Company Chair in Global Business Management in the Fisher College, effective May 1, 2004, through April 30, 2009.
•Mary Ellen Wewers has been named acting dean of the College of Public Health, effective March 17, 2007, through June 17, 2007.

Emeritus titles
•Richard E. Boettcher, professor emeritus in the College of Social Work, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•D. Lynn Forster, professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, effective April 1, 2007
•Reinhard A. Gahbauer, professor emeritus in the Department of Radiation Medicine, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Richard A. Sams, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Prabhakar H. Pathak, professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•F. Michael Beck, associate professor emeritus in the College of Dentistry (Oral Biology), effective Feb. 1, 2007
•William D. Eldridge, associate professor emeritus in the College of Social Work, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Elliot I. Klayman, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Finance, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Susan J. Logan, associate professor emeritus in University Libraries, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Brian M. Pollins, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science, effective April 1, 2007
•Anelya E. Rugaleva, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Donald J. Smeltzer, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Maurice E. Watson, associate professor emeritus in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•John V. Chidley, assistant professor emeritus in the School of Allied Medical Professions, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Robert W. Douglass, assistant professor emeritus in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Robert D. Klingensmith, Jr., assistant professor emeritus in the Department of Geography (Newark), effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Ernest F. Oelker, assistant professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Dennis L. Weilnau, assistant professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Feb. 1, 2007

Resolutions in memoriam
The board adopted the resolutions in memoriam for the following:
•Floyd Henderson, instructor emeritus in the Ohio State University Extension, who died on Dec. 6, 2006
•Beulah Hill, assistant professor emeritus in The Ohio State University Extension, who died on Dec. 19, 2006
•Walter E. Pillow, associate professor emeritus in the College of Social Work, who died on Nov. 7, 2006

Research grants and contracts accepted
Trustees accepted the report on research and other sponsored program contracts and grants awarded to the university during November and December 2006. During that time the university received 280 research grants and contracts, totaling $20.1 million.

University development report accepted
Trustees accepted the report on the receipt of gifts to the university during the December 2006, which included the establishment of The Clayton C. Wagner Parkinson's Disease Chair in Neurology, provided by $3.9 million in gifts from an anonymous donor, and The Walter H. Kidd Designated Professorship in the Knowlton School of Architecture, provided by $37,500 in gifts per year for the five years from The Walter H. Kidd Fund. The report also included the establishment of 40 new named endowed funds for a total of $7.07 million in gifts during December.

Investment managers appointed
On the recommendation of the Investments Committee, the board approved the appointment and reappointment of external investment managers to assist in the management of the university's Endowment Fund.

Competitive bidding requirement waived
The board accepted the quarterly report on waivers of competitive bidding requirements granted during October through December 2006. During that period, the senior vice president for business and finance granted 78 waivers for annual purchases totaling $11.6 million. The vice president for health services granted 46 waivers for annual purchases totaling $17.5 million. Waivers are granted in the event of an emergency, when a sufficient economic reason exists or when the goods or services can be purchased from only a single source.

Design and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following:
•Replacement of the air-conditioning unit in Baker Systems Engineering. Estimated project cost is $200,000 to be provided by department operating funds.
•Replacement of the cooling tower, chiller and transformer in Lincoln Tower and replacement of the domestic hot water storage tanks in Lincoln and Morrill Towers. Estimated project cost is $2.63 million to be provided by future university bond proceeds.
•Replacement of the fan coil units in the resident rooms and common areas in Morrison Tower. Estimated project cost is $1.8 million to be provided by future university bond proceeds.
•Renovation of 10 restrooms in Founders Hall on the Newark Campus. Estimated project cost is $400,000 to be provided by campus operating funds.
•Renovation of Pounden Hall on the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center campus. Estimated project cost is $1.5 million to be provided by grant and campus operating funds.
•Replacement of the existing bluegrass field in Ohio Stadium with synthetic turf, including upgrade of the underground drainage system. Estimated project cost is $1 million to be provided by Athletics operating funds.
•Installation of a dedicated air-conditioning system for the retail spaces adjacent to the Tuttle Park Garage. Estimated project cost is $400,000 to be provided by Transportation and Parking auxiliary funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following:•Replacement of air-conditioning unit in Baker Systems (see above)
•Repairs to the fume hood in the Biological Sciences Building. Estimated project cost is $1.5 million to be provided by state funds.
•Replacement of the supply fan in the Biological Sciences Building. Estimated project cost is $800,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Replacement of the Kennedy Commons Roof. Projected project cost is $1.6 million to be provided by 2007 bond proceeds.
•Renovation of the first floor classroom in Galvin Hall on the Lima Campus. Estimated project cost is $400,000 to the provided by state and campus operating funds.
•Renovation of Founders Hall restrooms (see above)
•Replacement of the Ohio Stadium field (see above)
•Installation of retail air-conditioning in Tuttle Park Garage (see above)
•Construction of a Women's Softball Stadium. Estimated project cost is $4.3 million to be provided by development funds.
The board authorized the university to increase the construction contracts for the following:
•Construction of the Warner Library and Student Center on the Newark Campus. Estimated project cost is $20 million to be provided by state, development and campus operating funds and 2007 bond proceeds.

Sale of Marion property authorized
The board authorized the university to sell surplus university property located at 1339 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Marion for $365,000 to Lu Chivington and Deb Cooper to be used as a real estate brokerage office.

Lease approved
The board authorized the university to enter into a long-term lease, with an option to purchase, with Continental Development Inc. for a six-court indoor varsity tennis center located at 880 West Henderson Road in Columbus. The property consists of 5.2 acres with buildings containing 81,000 square feet that will be used for varsity men's and women's indoor tennis practice, competitive meets and athletic equipment storage. Proposed rent is $20,000 per month for a ten-year term, plus the property's operating expenses. Funds for the lease will be provided by the Department of Athletics.

Appropriations recommendations adopted
The board adopted the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 through Fiscal Year 2008 state capital appropriations plan that includes $8.9 million in supplemental funding for the Columbus campus and $846,000 for the regional campuses to be used for campus capital renewal projects. Trustees approved the recommendations of the senior vice president for business and finance that the supplemental funding be used for the demolition of Lord Hall ($1.34 million) and the renovation of Cunz Hall ($7.56 million). The demolition of Lord Hall, which is more than a century old will address $13.3 million in deferred maintenance, and the Cunz Hall renovation will provide much needed office and lab space for the College of Public Health and will address $1.4 million in deferred maintenance.