Ohio State trustees meet, approve university matters - 11/04/05
COLUMBUS – University programs ranging from animal science to athletics will benefit from new endowed funds established by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees at its meeting Friday (11/4). The board accepted 13 endowed funds totaling more than $.5 million in private giving to the university during September. Trustees also accepted 311 sponsored research grants and contracts totaling $29.2 million.
In other business, the board approved a variety of personnel, fiscal and construction matters.
Named endowed funds
•The William A. and Helen L. Berdelman Engineering Endowment Fund, $114,702, provided by gifts from William A. Berdelman (B.C.E., 1939) and Helen L. Berdelman (B.S.Ed., 1951) to commemorate the Berdelmans and their desire to advance the quality of teaching and research within the university's College of Engineering
•Timothy P. and Colleen C. Duffey Swimming Scholarship Fund, $60,150, provided by a gift from Dr. Timothy P. Duffey (B.S., 1977) to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of undergraduate student-athletes who are members of the varsity swim team
•The Hays A. Cape Dean's Innovation Fund, $50,000, provided with a gift from the estate of Hays A. Cape (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1930) to support the activities of the faculty, students and staff of the Fisher College of Business
•The Maryann Z. and Lawrence D. Kennedy Scholarship Fund in Pharmacy, $50,000, provided by gifts from Maryann Z. (B.S., 1978) and Lawrence D. Kennedy of Solon, Ohio, to provide scholarships to students majoring in pharmacy
•The Dr. John H. Helwig Endowment Fund for Food Animal Research and Graduate Studies in Veterinary Preventive Medicine, $35,875, provided by gifts from Suzanne Helwig McNutt (B.A., 1961), Joanne Jarvis Percy (B.S.Ed., 1964), alumni, family and friends in memory of Dr. John H. Helwig (D.V.M., 1937; M.S., 1939). Income from the fund will support food animal research or graduate students doing research in food animal disease or public health within the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
•The Jack and Nancy Moore Endowment Fund for Genetic Cancer Research, $29,786, provided by gifts from Michael Lawrence Moore (B.S., 1976; M.D., 1979; M.B.A., 2004), M.D., FACP, of Dublin, Ohio, to support cancer research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
•John D. Neesley Graduate Fellowships in Chemistry, $25,844, provided with gifts from John D. Neesley (B.S., 1948) to support competitive fellowships for graduate students in the Department of Chemistry
•The Dr. Martha Floer Farkas Scholarship Fund, $25,275, provided by gifts from her husband, Joseph N. Farkas (B.S.Agr., 1962; D.V.M., 1964); her son, Joseph J. Farkas (D.V.M., 1995) and Belvoir Pet Hospital of South Euclid, Ohio, to support scholarships for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine interested in pursuing a career in small animal medicine
•Dr. Paul E. and Anne C. Droste Music Education Scholarship fund, $25,132, provided by gifts from Dr. Paul E. (B.S.Ed., 1958) and Anne C. (B.S.Ed., 1964; M.A., 1968) Droste to provide financial aid to students majoring in music education who have graduated from a Columbus Public High School
•The James L. Dailey 4-H Canters Cave 4-H Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from the Ohio Valley Bank Corp, of Gallipolis, Ohio, to support 4-H programs conducted at the Elizabeth L. Evans Outdoor Education Center
•The Dr. Charles W. Fox Endowed Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from Dr. Charles W. Fox (D.V.M., 1939) from Elyria, Ohio, to support one scholarship for a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine
•The George and Velma George Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Velma B. and the late George M. George of Blacklick, Ohio, in tribute to Dr. John K, Pfahl (M.B.A., 1949; Ph.D., 1953), to provide scholarship support to undergraduate students in the Fisher College of Business
•Charles Dodge Slagle, M.D., Medical Merit Scholarship Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from family members, colleagues and friends in memory of the late Dr. Charles Dodge Slagle (Starling Medical College, Class of 1897) of Centerville, Ohio, to provide scholarships to first-year medical students entering the College of Medicine and Public Health
Change in name and description of named endowed funds
•The Bruce W. Erickson Distinguished Scholar Fund is now The Bruce W. Erickson Scholarship Fund
•The Nanette N. Hoge Scholars Fund is now The Nanette N. Hoge Scholarship Fund
•The Robert M. Hoge Scholars Fund is now The Robert M. Hoge Scholarship Fund
Rescission of named endowed fund
•The Color World Housepainting, Inc., Athletic Scholarship Fund
Personnel actions
•Richard S. Stoddard has been named associate vice president for government relations in the Office of Government Relations, effective July 1, 2005. Prior to this appointment, he served as assistant vice president for government relations.
•John B. Stone has been named senior associate vice president for health sciences in the Office of Health Sciences, effective Nov. 4, 2005. He holds a concurrent position as chief administrative officer and chief financial officer in the Ohio State University Medical Center.
•Richard K. Herrmann has been reappointed director of the Mershon Center, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2008.
•Michael D. Lairmore has been reappointed chairman of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, effective January 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2009.
•John C. Lippold has been reappointed interim chairperson of the Department of Industrial, Welding and Systems Engineering, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.
•Ilee Rhimes has been reappointed chief information officer in the Office of Information Technology, effective Nov. 15, 2005, through Nov. 14, 2010.
Resolutions in memoriam
•Herbert M. Barnes, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences, who died Sept. 7, 2005
•James R. Blakeslee, Jr., associate professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Cellular Biology (now part of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences), who died Sept. 6, 2005
•John B. Freeman, professor emeritus in the Department of Art, who died Sept. 22, 2005
•Kitty O. Locker, associate professor in the Department of English, who died Sept. 9, 2005
•Charles G. Orosz, professor in the Departments of Surgery; Pathology and Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics and deputy director for transplant research in the Comprehensive Transplant Center, who died Aug. 7, 2005
•Karlis Svanks, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who died Sept. 7, 2005
Construction projects
The board authorized the university to enter into a contract for a feasibility study for the following project:
•Modification of the existing building at 930 Kinnear Road to meet the needs of the Center for Automotive Research over the next 25 years. Projected study cost is $24,500 with funding provided by College of Engineering general funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following projects:
•Renovation and repairs to the 9th Avenue Parking Garage. Projected cost is $2 million to $4 million with funding provided by 2007 university bond proceeds.
•Replacement of the roof on Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue. Projected cost is $500,000 with funding provided by House Bill 16.
•Addition of a third transformer at the Ohio State Electric Substation to give the university the additional capacity needed for current and future demands. Projected cost is $7 million with funding provided by university bond proceeds.
•Renovation and repairs to the Ohio Union Garage. The project will also add two parking bays to the existing garage to accommodate the increased parking need generated by the Ohio Union replacement project. Projected cost is $17 million with funding provided by future university bond proceeds.
•Replacement of approximately 70 exterior windows on the north side of Postle Hall, 305 West 12th Avenue with thermally insulated window units. Projected cost is $630,000 with funding provided by House Bill 16.
The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following projects:
•A non-clinical addition to North Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue. Projected cost is $35.9 million with funding provided by University Hospital operating funds.
•Renovation of shell space in Wilce Student Health Center, 1875 Millikin Road, for a new dental clinic, which will include state-of-the-art digital scan x-ray equipment. Projected cost is $513,000 with funding provided by Office of Student Affairs operating funds.
Medical Center construction planning contracts authorized
The board authorized the university to contract for executive architect/engineering, programming and construction management services for the Medical Center Facility Master Plan-Clinical Expansion projects.
New department established
Trustees approved changing the status of the Biomedical Engineering Center to departmental level. The establishment of the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering reflects the fact that biomedical engineering is the fastest growing engineering subfield at both undergraduate and graduate levels in the country. The new department, approved by the University Senate in September, will have the requisite resources for its research, education and service missions and will join the many colleges and universities in North American and throughout the world that have academic departments in biomedical engineering.
School renamed
The board approved renaming the School of Natural Resources as the School of Environment and Natural Resources to better reflect the school's role in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, where the school's programs address natural resource and environmental issues for the benefit of human society and the biosphere.
Use of "center" approved
Trustees approved the use of the word "center" for the Center for Critical Care and the Center for Personalized Health in the College of Medicine and Public Health. University faculty rules stipulate that "center" be used only when applied to academic centers, unless approved by the Council on Academic Affairs. The council approved the requests on October 5, 2005.
Annexation agreement authorized
The board authorized the university to enter into an agreement with the City of Wooster in order to proceed with the annexation of 495 university-owned acres by the city. Annexation will provide city water and sewer services vital to the future development of the property for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, the Agricultural Technical Institute and the new BioHio Research Park, located in Wayne County. Trustees heard a first reading of the proposal and will take action at their December meeting.
Clinical track business faculty established
The board approved the establishment of a regular clinical-track faculty in the Fisher College of Business in a move designed to improve the quality of instruction. Clinical-track faculty are uniquely qualified to provide instruction in professional, skill-based courses, business problem simulation and "live" settings. In addition, the move will improve the college's ability to retain and attract full-time teaching and practice-oriented faculty.
Faculty rules amended
The board approved an amendment to the Rules of the University Faculty relating to membership on the council on research and graduate studies.
Sullivant Medal to be awarded
Trustees approved awarding the Joseph Sullivant Medal to Liang-Shih Fan, Distinguished University Professor and The C. John Easton Professor in Engineering. The medal, awarded every five years, will be presented to Fan at Autumn Commencement, Dec. 12, 2005.
Competitive bidding requirements waived
Trustees accepted the quarterly report on competitive bidding waivers granted during July through September 2005. During that period, the senior vice president for business and finance granted 96 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $13,307,747. The vice president for health services granted 56 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $27,644,232. Competitive bidding requirements are waived in the event of an emergency, when a sufficient economic reason exists or when goods and services can be purchased from only a single source.
First quarter financial report heard
William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, told the Fiscal Affairs Committee that the university's finances and Columbus campus enrollments are stable. Regional campus finances are stable, but enrollment issues need to be addressed at the Lima Campus and the Agricultural Technical Institute. Potential financial vulnerabilities include the potential impact on the Medical Center of budget cuts related to reduction of the federal deficit, the growth of affiliated entities, fund-raising shortfalls in some areas and rising energy costs.
Medical Center Facility Master Plan approved
Trustees approved the Medical Center Facility Master Plan, having heard the first reading of the plan at their September meeting. With a long-range vision of achieving parity with top-quartile academic medical centers nationwide, the Medical Center has established a framework for the growth, development and improvement of the Medical Center/ Health Sciences area of campus, Bill Shkurti told the Fiscal Affairs Committee. The Master Plan provides the rationale for decisions regarding the buildings, landscape, infrastructure, circulation, parking and community/patient interaction.
New health plan outlined
Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources, spoke to the Fiscal Affairs Committee about an initiative sponsored by the Office of Human Resources. "Your Plan for Health" is a new way for the university to package a variety of benefits and services that encourage and support healthy living, all with an emphasis on personalized care. The program is being launched in conjunction with the new benefit plan year in January 2006, but is intended to serve as a long-term effort to link a broader spectrum of services than just the university's medical plans.
Annual audit report approved
Trustees approved an annual audit of the university's financial statements for 2004-05, conducted by Deloitte and Touche. The audit found the accounts, records, files and reports of the university to be satisfactory. This audit completes the university's four-year contract with Deloitte and Touche, and the 2006 contract for external auditor will go out for bid.
Student receives board recognition
Cedric Pritchett, a second-year medical student in the College of Medicine and Public Health, received the board's Student Recognition Award. Pritchett, a graduate of the Kettering College of Medical Arts, is an Achievement Scholar who finished his first year of medical school with honors in the top 10% of his class. Pritchett serves as a senator for the Inter-Professional Council and directs M.D. Camp, an enrichment program for underrepresented high school students for which he raised more than $15,000 in grants. Pritchett is also active in MeD Notes, an a cappella ensemble.
Student leaders report
The board heard reports by four student leaders: Isaac Wu, chair of the University Senate's Council on Student Affairs; Amanda Graf, president of the Inter-Professional Council; Barbara Pletz, president of the Council of Graduate Students, and Suz Scharer, president of Undergraduate Student Government.
New recreation center highlighted
Members of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee heard a report on the Recreation and Physical Activity Center. The facility is the result of a unique planning partnership that incorporated input from students, faculty and staff, the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services (PAES) and the Department of Athletics. Michael Sherman, director for PAES, said the collaboration has resulted in more effective teaching and research and a higher quality of service to the university community. Miechelle Willis, associate athletics director, added that approximately 90 student-athletes and seven coaches utilize the varsity aquatics facilities, which have established a higher standard for intercollegiate competition nationally. Ohio State will host numerous meets over the next few years, highlighted by the national synchronized swimming and swimming and diving championships in 2008.
Snyder outlines academic priorities
Executive Vice President and Provost Barbara Snyder outlined for trustees the university's three key academic priorities for the year: funding graduate education, restructuring the undergraduate curriculum and targeting academic programs for investments in excellence.
Snyder said Ohio State's doctoral programs differ greatly in quality, admission requirements and enrollment controls. The Freeman Committee, which issued the first part of its final report this summer, has recommended a substantial overhaul of the fiscal model for supporting doctoral education, a new internal funding formula based more on quality than credit hours, and a regular assessment of doctoral programs.
The university has just concluded its first comprehensive review of undergraduate education in 23 years, Snyder said. The McHale Committee, convened last year, has provided recommendations on the General Education Curriculum, the number of credit hours required for graduation and the reflection of undergraduate programs on the university's commitment to diversity, interdisciplinarity, research and outreach.
The third priority, a new initiative called Targeted Investment in Excellence, will award the potential for excellence and impact in departments and programs looking to move to the top of their academic fields.
