February

2022

17:07 PM

America/New_York

Ohio State’s research growth ‘a strong beginning’

Summary

The Ohio State University’s increase in research expenditures is an important step to meet strategic priorities, university President Kristina M. Johnson told the board of trustees Thursday.

The university’s annual research and development expenditures reached a record-breaking figure in fiscal year 2021, Ohio State leaders announced this week. At the board meeting, Johnson remarked on the $1.236 billion in expenditures and why growth in this area is so impactful: Research shows that $1 billion in research and development investment produces an order of 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“This is a strong beginning to our stated goal of doubling research expenditures in this decade,” Johnson told trustees.

Federal research spending grew 7.7% for the year ending June 30, 2021, compared to the previous year, an increase from $539 million to $581 million.

Johnson pointed to examples of Ohio State research and how it helps communities, including funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support a roboctic irrigation system that was announced during a recent visit by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The president also noted some of the current successes on campus, highlighting last month’s recoginition of the Master of Science in Nursing as the top online nursing master’s program in the country and the year-to-year drop in major crimes occurring on campus.

“Despite all of the challenges we’ve faced, life at Ohio State is thriving,” Johnson said.

The following actions were taken during the board’s meeting:

Establishment of new degrees approved

Trustees approved the creation of a doctor of nursing education degree program in the College of Nursing. The degree is geared toward nurses with a master’s degree and aimed at preparing nursing educators with doctoral-level training.

The board also approved the creation of a master of structural engineering degree program in the College of Engineering. It is aimed at practicing structural engineers seeking to increase their technical skills and their management and leadership abilities.

Distinguished Service Awards approved

Trustees authorized the conferral of six awards that recognize distinguished service to Ohio State. The awards are based on the recommendations of the Distinguished Service Awards Committee and will be given to:

Paul Beck, one of the world’s leading experts on American electoral politics. Before retiring in 2012, Beck served as distinguished professor, chair of the Department of Political Science and dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Thomas Katzenmeyer, who has helped to shape strategies and fuel progress for a variety of projects and programs that bring together Ohio State and surrounding community partners. Katzenmeyer has served as the president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council since 2013.
Ruth Peterson, who served as a distinguished scholar and mentor whose service impacted students and faculty at Ohio State and across the country. Peterson worked to enhance the research visibility and diversity of Ohio State and retired from the university in 2011 as an emerita professor of sociology and the director of the Criminal Justice Research Center.
Kara Trott, the founder, board chair and senior adviser of Quantum Health and an active philanthropic leader and volunteer with Ohio State. Trott graduated from the Moritz College of Law and serves as the co-chair of the college’s Time and Change campaign committee.
Carol Whitacre, who is recognized for bridging the health sciences components of Ohio State with the arts and sciences and professional colleges through her commitment to faculty-based leadership. Whitacre retired as senior vice president for research in 2017 after 36 years with the university, including establishing new programs, revitalizing core facilities, creating venues to recognize outstanding researchers and recruiting stellar faculty.
Bob Wright, who has provided generous support of scholarships and his time and remarkable career and life experiences with his alma mater. Wright spent his career working in government, business and finance to accelerate the welfare, economic justice and civility of Black and minority populations. He was the second African American to graduate from Ohio State as a doctor of optometry in 1960.

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:

Framework 3.0

The project will update Framework 2.0, which the university adopted in 2017 to reinforce and refine planning ideas and establish near- and long-term concepts for the physical campus. Trustees approved professional services contracts totaling $1.2 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds and university funds.

East Hospital dock expansion

The project will add nine new bays and upgrade offsite central sterile requirements to provide an enclosed space for delivery and pickup. Trustees approved professional services and construction contracts totaling $5.5 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Veterinary Medicine equine arena

The project will construct a 12,000-square-foot arena for equine performance evaluation. The revised scope calls for a closed arena and an attached clinic. Trustees approved professional services and construction contracts totaling $4.7 million, to be paid for with university funds and fundraising.

Library book depository phase 3

The project will construct a 25,100-square-foot addition to the existing building to increase capacity by 61%. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $18 million, to be paid for with university debt and university funds.

Wooster boiler No. 3 replacement

The project will install a 30,000 pounds-per-hour steam boiler to serve the entire Wooster campus. Trustees approved construction contracts totaling $8 million, to be paid for with state funds.

Property arrangements approved

Trustees approved a variety of property-related easements and acquisition:

· About 0.03 acres at Barnard Road in Wayne County, Ohio
- A perpetual roadway easement was granted to the Board of Commissioners of Wayne County across a portion of university land at Barnard Road, Apple Creek, for $1, for roadway purposes.
About 0.02 acres at 7171 Sawmill Parkway, Delaware County, Ohio
- A perpetual roadway easement was granted to the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County across a portion of 7171 Sawmill Parkway at Castleblaney Lane, Powell, for $1, to support development and construction of the ambulatory facility to be located at this address.
About 0.323 acres at Medical Center Drive in Franklin County, Ohio
- A perpetual sanitary sewer easement was granted to the City of Columbus across a portion of university land at Medical Center Drive, Columbus, for $1, to support construction of the Dodd Hall parking garage.
About 0.1337 acres at 1585 Neil Ave. in Franklin County, Ohio
- A perpetual sanitary sewer easement was granted to the City of Columbus across a portion of university land at 1585 Neil Ave., Columbus, for $1, to support construction activities at Newton Hall.
Two pieces of real property
- 1316 Country Club Drive, Newark, Licking County, Ohio. The university agreed to purchase a two-story home on 0.20 acres. The property is surrounded by state of Ohio land for the use and benefit of the Ohio State Newark campus.
- Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, property adjacent to Outpatient Care East. The university will acquire about five acres of unimproved property for the development of parking facilities.

Resolutions in Memoriam announced

The board approved resolutions honoring the following former faculty emeriti who recently died:

John M. Cassady, dean emeritus in the College of Pharmacy, who died on Sept. 29, 2021, at age 83.
Thomas F. Heck, professor emeritus with University Libraries, who died on Oct. 3, 2021, at age 78.
John C. Huntington, professor emeritus in the Department of History of Art in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Nov. 28, 2021, at age 84.
Clark Mount-Campbell, professor emeritus in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering, who died on Sept. 25, 2021, at age 79.
Shirley Palmer, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Oct. 9, 2021, at age 88.
Randall B. Ripley, professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, who died on Oct. 8, 2021, at age 83.
Robert E. Roth, professor emeritus of Environmental Education in the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 3, 2021, at age 84.
Sigel G. Stocker, assistant professor emeritus with the Agricultural Technical Institute, who died on Nov. 5, 2021, at age 89.
William J. Studer, professor emeritus and former director of University Libraries, who died on Oct. 14, 2021, at age 85.
John P. Vimmerstedt, associate professor emeritus of forestry in the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 3, 2021.
Milton Wyman, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who died on Sept. 27, 2021, at age 91.

Personnel actions approved

The board approved the following appointments:

Damon E. Jaggars has been appointed interim vice provost for student academic success and dean of undergraduate education in Office of Academic Affairs for a term starting Nov. 8, 2021, and running through June 30, 2022.
Marcos J. G. De Lima has been appointed professor (William Greenville Pace III Endowed Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Jan. 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Jeffrey C. Horowitz has been appointed professor (Endowed Professorship in Pulmonary Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
John D. Hummel has been appointed professor-clinical (Corrine Frick Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Daniel E. Jonas has been appointed professor (Endowed Professorship in Health Services Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Robert E. Merritt has been appointed professor-clinical (Adenil Day Designated Professorship) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Michael A. Neblo has been appointed professor (College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting Aug. 15, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2027.
Christopher M. Nichols has been appointed professor (Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting June 1, 2022, and running through May 31, 2027.
Sakima A. Smith has been appointed associate professor (Bob Frick Research Chair in Heart Failure and Arrhythmia) in the College of Medicine for a term starting March 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Theodore Wagener has been appointed associate professor (Leonard J. Immke, Jr. and Charlotte L. Immke Chair in Cancer Research) in the College of Medicine for a term starting Jan. 1, 2022, and running through June 30, 2026.
Ruqaiijah Yearby has been appointed professor (Kara J. Trott Professor in Law) in the Moritz College of Law for a term starting Aug. 15, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2027.

Reappointments

Wendy Hesford has been reappointed professor (Ohio Eminent Scholar in Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy) in the College of Arts of Sciences for a term beginning July 1, 2022, and running through Aug. 14, 2027.

Extensions

Heather C. Allen has been extended in her term as professor (Dow Professorship in Chemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting Sept. 1, 2023, and running through Aug. 15, 2024.
Igor Jouline has been extended in his term as professor (Rod Sharp Professorship in Microbiology) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term starting Aug. 16, 2022, and running through Aug.15, 2023.

Rules of the University Faculty amendments approved

The board approved changes to the Rules of the University Faculty to address four topics, as recommended by the University Senate.

Degrees and certificates for spring semester 2022 approved

The board approved the issuance of degrees and certificates on May 8, 2022, to those who have completed the necessary requirements.

Honorary degrees approved
The board approved the awarding of the honorary doctor of public service degree to Robert L. Portman.

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Dec. 30, 2021, which includes the establishment of four endowed chairs: the Corrine Frick Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology; the Allan H. Markowitz Endowed Chair in Astronomy; the Dr. Paul A Weber Chair in Ophthalmology; and the Gerlach Family Chair in Epilepsy; six endowed professorships: the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship 2; the Endowed Professorship in Health Services Research; the Endowed Professorship in Pulmonary Research; the Excellence in Veterinary Care Diagnostic Imaging Professorship in the College of Veterinary Medicine; The Elizabeth Martin Tinkham Endowed Professorship in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering; and the Dr. Harold “Hal” Miller and Betty J. Miller Endowed Professorship in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry; one designated professorship: The Adenil Day Designated Professorship; one endowed professorship fund: The Williamson Family Professorship Fund; one endowed fellowship: The Berning-Dietz Endowed Fellowship; six scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; one scholarship as part of the 100% TBDBITL Scholarship Endowment Initiative; 37 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of six named endowed funds.

Naming of internal university spaces
The board approved the naming of the following internal university spaces, in recognition of significant contributions, in the Jane E. Heminger Hall in the College of Nursing, 1577 Neil Ave.:

The Pitzer Center (Room 200)
Connie Hahn Sharpe and Gary Sharpe Innovation Center (Room 230)
Barbara and Lawrence Berger Demonstration Nutrition Kitchen (Room 170)
Class of 1966 Seminar Room (Room 380)

The board approved the naming of the following internal university space, in recognition of significant contributions to the Department of Pathology, in the Optometry Clinic and Health Sciences Faculty Office Building, 1664 Neil Ave.:

Emmerich Von Haam, MD, Conference Room (Room 4095)

Amendment to Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan approved

Trustees approved amendments to the plan for fiscal year 2022 to ensure project construction schedules align with associated university construction projects. The university has reviewed and considered the financial, technical and operational aspects of the projects and their alignment with university plans and sustainability goals:

Equine Performance Evaluation Arena
Martha Morehouse Electrical Expansion: Phase I
Lacrosse Stadium Utility Service

Contract for external audit services approved
The board authorized the senior vice president of business and finance and CFO to enter into an agreement on behalf of Ohio State with the auditor of state and an independent public accountant for audit purposes.

Board committee appointments ratified

The board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2022-23 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life
Brent R. Porteus, Chair
Jeff M.S. Kaplan, Vice Chair
Abigail S. Wexner
Elizabeth P. Kessler
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Michael Kiggin
Tom B. Mitevski
Tanner R. Hunt
Susan E. Cole (faculty member)
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Audit, Finance & Investment
John W. Zeiger, Chair
Erin P. Hoeflinger
Lewis Von Thaer
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Michael Kiggin
Tom B. Mitevski
Carly G. Sobol
James D. Klingbeil
Amy Chronis
Kent M. Stahl
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Legal, Risk & Compliance
Elizabeth P. Kessler, Chair
Alan A. Stockmeister
Jeff M.S. Kaplan
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Michael Kiggin
Tom B. Mitevski
Tanner R. Hunt
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities
Alexander R. Fischer, Chair
James D. Klingbeil, Vice Chair
Brent R. Porteus
Alan A. Stockmeister
Elizabeth A. Harsh
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Tanner R. Hunt
Robert H. Schottenstein
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships
Lewis Von Thaer, Chair
Erin P. Hoeflinger, Vice Chair
Alexander R. Fischer
Hiroyuki Fujita
Reginald A. Wilkinson
Carly G. Sobol
Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance
Hiroyuki Fujita, Chair
Lewis Von Thaer, Vice Chair
Brent R. Porteus
Abigail S. Wexner
Alexander R. Fischer
John W. Zeiger
Elizabeth P. Kessler
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center:
Leslie H. Wexner, Chair
Abigail S. Wexner
Erin P. Hoeflinger
Hiroyuki Fujita
Alan A. Stockmeister
John W. Zeiger
Carly G. Sobol
Stephen D. Steinour
Robert H. Schottenstein
W.G. Jurgensen
Cindy Hilsheimer
Amy Chronis
Gary R. Heminger (ex officio, voting)
Kristina M. Johnson (ex officio, voting)
Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)
Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
Mark Larmore/Andrew Thomas (ex officio, voting)

Amendment and restatement of the 403(b) retirement plan approved

Trustees approved an amended and restated plan to incorporate prior amendments, include optional Roth contributions for employees, and enhance compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws, regulations and administrative authority.

Amendment and restatement of the 457(b) retirement plan approved

Amendment and restatement of the alternative retirement plan approved

Trustees approved an amended and restated plan to comply with the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws, regulations and administrative authority, and to make certain administrative changes.

Fourth amendments of the retirement continuation plan approved

Trustees approved fourth amendments to the plan. The first three amendments occurred in 2016, 2020 and 2021.

First amendments of the supplemental 415(m) retirement plans approved

Trustees approved first amendments to the plan.

Amendment and restatement of the annuity premium benefit LTD plan approved

Trustees approved an amended and restated plan to further document terms of the plan’s insurance booklet-certificate and enhance compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws and regulations.

Adoption of the Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation Program 457(b) plan exhibit B (Roth election) approved

Trustees approved an adoption agreement because Ohio State is an eligible employer that participates in the plan under the program and desires to allow Roth contributions.