Ohio State trustees meet, approve university matters - 11/05/04
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, meeting on Friday (11/5), accepted $2.7 million in private gifts to the university during September and $32 million in research grants and contracts awarded to the university during the same month. In other business, the board approved a variety of fiscal, personnel and construction matters.
Named endowed chair
· The Robert A. and Martha O. Schoenlaub Cancer Research Chair, $1.5 million, provided by a gift from the estate of Martha O. Schoenlaub (B.S.Ed., 1937; Cert.Grad.Nurse, 1937) of Columbus in honor of her husband, Robert A. Schoenlaub (B.C.E., 1930; Ph.D., 1933) to support a distinguished scholar in cancer genetics research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
Named endowed professorship
· Ralph D. Mershon Professorship in National Security Studies, $750,000, provided by funds from the Ralph D. Mershon Endowment to provide salary and program support to a faculty member in the area of national security studies
Named endowed funds
· The Doug Baughman Athletic Scholarship Fund, $100,000, provided by a gift from Doug Baughman (B.S., 1982) of McKinney, Texas, to supplement the scholarship costs of an undergraduate member of the varsity football team
· The Jim and Ellen Tressel Athletic Scholarship Fund, $90,000, provided by gifts from Jim and Ellen Tressel to supplement the scholarship costs of an undergraduate member of the varsity football team
· Bill and Martha Buckingham Athletic Scholarship Fund, $89,468, provided by gifts from Bill (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1959) and Martha Buckingham to supplement the scholarship costs of an undergraduate member of the varsity football team
· The Elmer and Ethel Timby Fund for Planning and Management of Public Works, $40,049, provided by a gift from Ethel and Elmer (B.C.E., 1928; C.E., 1933) Timby of Newtown, Pa., for either the preliminary planning and development of a graduate program in planning and management of public works or for scholarships or fellowships to civil engineering majors who intend to enter the public works planning and management field
· The Charles E. Brown Scholarship Fund, $32,385, provided by gifts from family, friends and colleagues in memory of Charles E. Brown (B.A., 1949; J.D., 1952) to provide a scholarship in the Michael E. Moritz College of Law
· The Stadium Cake Scholarship Fund, $32,160, provided by gifts from the Stadium Cake Crew, friends, family, colleagues, community sponsors, Buckeye football fans and rival fans to award scholarships to currently enrolled Columbus campus students with a 2.8 GPA or higher
· The Robert A. and Martha O’Hara Schoenlaub Memorial Fund, $30,000, provided by a gift from the estate of Martha O’Hara Schoenlaub in honor of her late husband, Robert A. Schoenlaub
· Nancy Reger Broughton Endowed Scholarship Fund, $25,500, provided by a gift from Nancy R. Broughton (B.S., 1980; M.S., 1981) to provide scholarships for undergraduate students enrolling in or transferring into the Department of Human Nutrition and majoring in dietetics
· The Janet F. and Otto Laster Endowed Fund for Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program, $25,000, provided by gifts from Janet (M.S., 1965; Ph.D., 1974) and Otto ( B.C.E., 1954; M.S., 1973) Laster of Columbus to support programs in family and consumer sciences education for the purpose of teacher preparation and licensure to teach grades 7 through 12 in Ohio schools
· A. Jackson and Sally Koepp Smith Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from A. Jackson and Sally Koepp (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1951) Smith of Toledo to provide scholarships for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and/or need for financial assistance to study at the Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory
Change in name and description of named endowed professorship
· The Robert M. Critchfield Fund in Engineering is now the Robert M. Critchfield Professorship in Engineering
Change in description of named endowed fund
· The Lionel Topaz Memorial Library of Visual Science Fund
Change in named and description of named endowed funds
· The Ameritech Endowment Fund is now the Graduate School SBC Endowment Fund
· Sheard Research in Vision Fund is now The Sheard Foundation Fund for Research in Vision
Personnel appointments
· Richard P. Dick has been named professor and the Ohio Eminent Scholar in Soil Ecology in The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, effective Aug. 1, 2004. Prior to this appointment, he was professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore.
· Donna B. Evans has been named the John Glenn Scholar in Urban Educational Policy in The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, effective Sept. 1, 2005, through Aug. 31, 2006. She is currently dean of Ohio State’s College of Education.
· Somnath Ghosh has been named professor and holder of The John B. Nordholt Professorship in Mechanical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009.
· Kent C. Hess has been named associate executive director of The Ohio State University Hospital East, effective Nov. 1, 2004. Prior to the appointment, he served as president and CEO of Clearfield Hospital in Clearfield, Pa.
· Steven A. Ringel has been named professor and holder of The Neal A. Smith Chair in Electrical Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009.
· Yuan F. Zheng has been named professor and holder of The Howard D. Winbigler Designated Chair in Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009.
· Sanford H. Barsky has been named chairperson of the Department of Pathology, effective Feb. 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
· Thomas L. Bean has been named interim chairperson of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, effective Nov. 1, 2004, through Sept. 30, 2005.
· John C. Lippold has been named interim chairperson of the Department of Industrial, Welding and Systems Engineering, effective Oct. 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005.
Reappointments
· John M. Petry has been reappointed acting chief of police in the Department of Public Safety, Police Division, effective Nov. 27, 2004, through May 26, 2005.
· Stuart H. Zweben has been reappointed chairperson in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, effective Oct. 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005.
Hospital board appointment
· Karen Angelou has been appointed a citizen member of the University Hospital East Board for the term Nov. 1, 2004, through Oct. 31, 2007.
Emeritus titles
· David C. Ferree, professor emeritus in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, effective Nov. 1, 2004
· Charles G. S. Williams, professor emeritus in the Department of French and Italian, effective Jan. 1, 2005
· Michael L. Smith, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Finance, effective Nov. 1, 2004
· Philip J. von Raabe, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Art, effective Nov. 1, 2004
· Helen K. Grant, assistant professor emeritus in the School of Allied Medical Professions, effective Nov. 1, 2004
Emeritus title rescinded
· Stephen R. Baertsche, associate professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective Oct. 1, 2004, has decided not to retire and his emeritus status is rescinded.
Resolutions in memoriam
· Morris L. Battles, M.D., professor emeritus in the Department of Ophthalmology, who died on Aug. 30, 2004
· Timothy R. Donoghue, professor emeritus in the Department of Physics, who died on Sept. 26, 2004
· William F. Ollila, instructor emeritus in the School of Allied Medical Professions, who died on Sept. 3, 2004
· Thor R. Rubin, professor emeritus in the Department of Chemistry, who died Aug. 18, 2004
· Donald A. Senhauser, M.D., professor emeritus and former chairperson of the Department of Pathology, who died on Sept. 2, 2004
· Robert L. Sutton, assistant professor emeritus in the Ohio State University Extension, who died on Oct. 13, 2004
· Gordon J. Wilson, professor emeritus in the School of Music, who died on June 28, 2004
· Edwin R. Zartman, M.D., assistant professor emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who died Sept. 26, 2004
Construction projects
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following projects:
· Upgrade of elevator equipment to meet current codes in two elevators in the 9th Avenue Parking Garage and a single elevator in the 11th Avenue Parking Garage. Preliminary project cost estimate is approximately $515,000 with funding provided by Transportation and Parking Services;
· Renovation of Room 068 in Bevis Hall, 1080 Carmack Road, to expand the Transgenic Zebrafish Facility, currently in Room 072. Preliminary project cost estimate is approximately $236,319, with funding provided by a Board of Regents grant, College of Medicine and Public Health, Office of Research and Center for Molecular Neurobiology;
· Renovation of restrooms in Bradley Hall, 221 West 12th Avenue, and Paterson Hall, 191 West 12th Avenue. Preliminary project cost estimate is approximately $1.2 million with funding provided by Student Affairs;
· Renovation of Jennings Hall, 1735 Neil Avenue, for use by the College of Biological Sciences, Classroom Pool and the Mathematical Biosciences Institute. Preliminary project cost estimate is approximately $27.9 million with proposed funding by State Capital Appropriations, College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences General Funds, College of Biological Sciences General Funds, Office of Research, Central Funds and Physical Facilities;
· Renovation of office and teaching lab space on the 4th and 5th floors of Smith Laboratory, 174 West 18th Avenue, to accommodate the swing space for the Jennings Hall project. Preliminary project cost is approximately $900,000 with funding provided by College of Biological Sciences General Funds;
· Upgrade of the electrical service to Stradley Hall, 138 West 11th Avenue. Proposed project cost is approximately $1 million with funding provided by university bond proceeds with debt service paid by Student Affairs; and
· Renovation of the first floor of the Women’s Field House, 1801 Neil Avenue, to include the creation of a kitchenette, an accessible restroom and the addition of an A/V projection system. Proposed project cost is approximately $250,000, with funding provided by university bond proceeds with debt service paid by Student Affairs.
The board authorized the university to seek construction contracts for the following projects:
· Renovation of three cold rooms and the roof over the corridor of Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, for the Byrd Polar Research Center. Construction document project cost is $259,160, with funding provided by House Bills 748 and 675;
· Replacement of two chillers in Mendenhall Lab, 125 South Oval Mall. Construction document project cost is $225,000 with funding provided by House Bill 850;
· Replacement of the roof on Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue. Construction document project cost is $672,340 with funding provided by House Bill 675;
· Completion of Phase II of the roof replacement project on the Veterinary Hospital, 601 Tharp Street. Construction document project cost is $1.08 million with funding provided by House Bill 675; and
· Maintenance upgrades and replacements of the elevator and escalator, fire alarms and miscellaneous electrical upgrades to the Wexner Center and Mershon Auditorium, 1871 North High Street. Construction document project cost is $2 million with funding provided by Central Funds.
Capital projects updated
The Fiscal Affairs Committee heard an update on how the university’s current capital projects reconcile with the Capital Plan. William Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, told the committee that a total of 59 capital projects totaling approximately $1.4 billion were approved in a September 2003 board resolution. Eight were sent to the Board of Regents as part of the university’s request for state capital dollars in the 2005-2006 capital appropriations bill, not yet introduced. Thirty-five projects, valued at $558.9 million, have moved forward as planned and are currently on budget. Four more, valued at $10.9 million have moved forward, but at a higher funding level of $18.7 million. Twelve projects, valued at $78.2 million, have been delayed for various reasons. In addition, eight new projects, valued at $65 million and driven by new priorities, have been presented to the board after the September 2003 resolution.
Medical Plaza named
The board approved naming the former Leonard J. Camera Center, 2050 Kenny Road, in honor of Martha Morehouse, a generous benefactor to the university. Mrs. Morehouse stipulated that her estate be used “to support the establishment of a free standing or separate, clearly identifiable health center” for transitional and rehabilitative care of University Hospital patients. The facility will be named The Ohio State University Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza.
Farm Science Review building named
The board approved naming the Farm Science Review Headquarters Building at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, in honor of R. Craig Fendrick, who served as manager of the Farm Science Review for 23 years. Under his tenure, the review grew to become one of the premier agricultural shows in the country. Mr. Fendrick was inducted into the 2004 Class of the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In order to name the R. Craig Fendrick Building, the board approved waiving paragraph (F) of bylaw 335-1-08 of the Administrative Code.
Building and internal spaces named
The board approved renaming the Austin E. Knowlton Architecture Building to Austin E. Knowlton Hall, in accordance with standard university nomenclature of academic buildings. Trustees also approved naming several internal spaces in campus facilities in recognition of donors’ generosity:
The Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, West 10th Avenue
· The Huntington National Bank Boardroom, Room H1225
· Abbott Laboratories Fund Administrative Suite, Room H1255
· William H. and Dorothea N. Hadler Consultation Rooms – Rooms H2257, H2259, H4257, H4259 and H5209
· Deborah K. Shannon Invasive Lab Nursing Office, Room H2234
Adventure Recreation Center, 855 Woody Hayes Drive
· Tom W. Davis Climbing Center, north side of the recreation center
Property purchase approved
Trustees authorized the university to purchase approximately 12.41 acres of improved real property at 2050 Kenny Road owned by the administrator of the Bureau of Workers Compensation for a price of $18.8 million. The property contains a three-story medical office building, a 12-story office building, a warehouse building and a three-level parking garage. Funding for the acquisition and use of this property will be provided by the Medical Center.
Long-term lease authorized for University Development
Trustees authorized the university to enter into a long-term lease on property at 1480 West Lane Avenue. The property will be developed with a new three-story Class A office building on a two-acre site with parking. The building will total approximately 57,245 gross square feet and will be used to house Office of University Development staff currently located in the Fawcett Center. The Fawcett Center will be converted to student housing by Fall Quarter 2005.
Competitive bidding requirement waived
The board accepted the quarterly report of waivers of competitive bidding requirements. During the period of July through September 2004, the senior vice president for business and finance granted 80 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $9.8 million. During the same period, the interim vice president for health services granted 39 waivers for annual purchases totaling approximately $20.3 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.
Supplemental Retirement Plan amended
The board authorized the university to amend the Supplemental Retirement 403 (b) Annuity Plan in order to provide additional retirement benefits to certain employees affected by existing Internal Revenue Code limitations and to submit the amended plan to the Internal Revenue Service to ensure compliance.
Investment managers approved
Trustees approved the appointment and reappointment of the university’s external investment managers on the recommendation of the Investments Committee, which periodically reviews the managers’ performance in investing the university’s endowment funds.
Science and Technology Campus highlighted
Trustees heard a three-year update on the development agreement between the university and the Science and Technology Campus Corporation. The Scitech Campus has achieved the performance measures set down in its original development plan. An action plan for the next five years was outlined for the board, which will consider extending the development agreement for three more years at its December meeting.
University endowment updated
University Treasurer Jim Nichols reported that the university endowment, as of Oct. 31, stands at $1,559.1 billion, an increase of some $18 million since July 2004. Nichols told the Investment Committee that the endowment held 3,481 funds at the end of FY04 and that $69.6 million in endowment income was distributed to university colleges and departments. It is estimated that $74 million will be distributed in FY05.
First quarter budget report heard
The Ohio State University will continue to explore ways to diversify its financial resources and behave more entrepreneurially in order to reduce the reliance on state funds, which are becoming less predictable and less stable, according to William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance. Shkurti presented a first-quarter budget report -- the first in a series of quarterly financial reports for the current fiscal year -- to the board’s Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Shkurti told trustees that enrollment figures are strong, and research activity continues to grow. The state operating budget is stable for the current fiscal year, but uncertainty exists regarding the next biennium and the current capital budget. The University Health System had a good year financially in fiscal year 2004, Shkurti said, and first quarter results for fiscal year 2005 are positive. Other areas of Columbus campus finances, including private giving, are meeting expectations, Shkurti said.
Annual audit report approved
Trustees approved an annual audit of the university’s financial statements for 2003-04, conducted by Deloitte and Touche. The audit found the accounts, records, files and reports of the university to be satisfactory, Shkurti said. The firm also issued some constructive comments, which the trustees will review.
Student receives board recognition
Ryan Searfoorce of Midlothian, Va., a senior majoring in economics and mathematics, received the Board of Trustees Student Recognition Award. Seerfoorce, who has a 3.91 GPA, is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and is an Ohio State nominee for both the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. He served as a John Glenn Fellowship intern in Spring 2004 with the Anti-Trust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. His extra-curricular activities include service as an officer of the Undergraduate Economics Society and a tutor in the Economics Learning Center. He plays trombone with the Ohio State Jazz Lab Ensemble and has participated in intramural ice hockey. Off-campus, he tutors autistic children.
Honors and Scholars Program highlighted
Trustees heard a report from Director Linda Harlow on the university’s Honors and Scholars Programs. The Honors program was created to challenge high-ability students with standardized test scores of 29 ACT or 1300 SAT and high-school class rank in the top 10 percent. This year’s incoming class includes 1,277 honors students – approximately 20 percent of the class. The Scholars program, initiated five years ago, is targeted toward students just below honors level. Currently, 775 scholars students are participating in 11 college-based or theme-based programs. The Honors Collegium program is a subset of Honors and Scholars and is directed toward the highest of the high-ability students. Forty-two second- and third-year students are in the Collegium, and their average GPA at Ohio State is 3.88.
Harlow also reported that the program has recently undergone a self-study and internal and external reviews, and she is currently working on an implementation plan based on those recommendations.
Report on new telescope heard
Patrick Osmer, chair of the Department of Astronomy in the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, gave a presentation on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), constructed atop Mt. Graham in Arizona as a cooperative venture by educational and research institutions in Arizona; Italy; Germany; and a research corporation comprising the universities of Notre Dame, Minnesota, Virginia and Ohio State. The LBT, with 24 times the light-gathering power of the Hubble telescope, puts Ohio State in the front ranks of astronomy and astrophysics in the world, Osmer said.
Undergraduate and graduate incoming classes highlighted
The board heard a report on the entering first-class – the best academically prepared yet – from Martha Garland, dean of undergraduate studies, and Mabel Freeman, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions and First Year Experience. The number of first-quarter freshmen attending the Columbus campus is 5,980, representing a decrease of 278 from the previous year. For the 10th consecutive year, first-year students have recorded new all-time highs in several categories: highest average ACT and SAT scores, highest percentages in the top 10 percent and top 25 percent of their high school class; and the most University Scholars.
Susan Huntington, dean of the Graduate School, gave trustees a current overview of graduate education at Ohio State, which offers nearly 100 doctoral programs and more than 120 master’s programs. Graduate student enrollment increased by 2.8 percent to 10,210.
Carole Anderson, vice provost for Academic Affairs, said the professional student enrollment increased this year by 2.5 percent to 3,276. Professional students may earn post-baccalaureate degrees through the colleges of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine, and the doctoral program in the College of Pharmacy.
Trustees hear update on The Blackwell
Trustees also heard an update on The Blackwell Inn, 2110 Tuttle Park Place, located on the Fisher College of Business campus. William Schwartz, assistant vice president for the Office of Student Affairs, said The Blackwell opened in 2002 as a joint project of the Office of Student Affairs and the Fisher College. Its accommodations support the college’s Executive Education programs. Among the colleges and departments with relationships to The Blackwell is the College of Human Ecology. Students in the College of Human Ecology’s Hospitality Management Program frequently intern at The Blackwell to get professional experience. In addition, student employees account for more than 35 percent of the payroll. As for costumer service, The Blackwell was rated above average out of 550 participating hotels in delivery, attitude and product.
