OSU trustees meet, approve university matters - 04/06/07

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved a variety of personnel, fiscal and construction-related matters at its meeting Friday (4/6).

New board committee established
Trustees approved the establishment of a Committee on Trusteeship. Members for the 2007-2008 year will be Dimon R. McFerson, chair; John D. Ong; Walden W. O'Dell; Alex Shumate; Robert H. Schottenstein; and the chairperson of the board, ex officio. In addition, Robert H. Schottenstein and Leslie Wexner were appointed to the Wexner Center Foundation Board.

Sphinx honorary recognized for service
Trustees congratulated the Sphinx Senior Honorary for its 100 years of recognizing and honoring student leaders. The honorary was founded at The Ohio State University in 1907 and is the oldest honor society at the university.

Mansfield Campus board reappointments approved
The board approved the reappointment of the following persons to the Mansfield Regional Campus Board: Shelley G. Fisher (3rd term), Timothy J. Lehman (3rd term), Kevin P. Nestor (3rd term) and Randal L. Roberts (2nd term).

Self-Insurance Board appointments/reappointments approved
The board appointed/ reappointed the following persons as members of the University Self-Insurance Program: R. Reed Fraley; Dimon R. McFerson; Hagop Mekhijan, M.D.; Wilburn Weddington, M.D., and Thomas W. Johnson.

"Center" status approved
Trustees approved the use of the term "center" for the College of Medicine's Clinical Diabetes Research Center, following approval by the Council on Academic Affairs.

Faculty rules amended
Trustees approved amendments to the Rules of the University Faculty regarding membership on the graduate association compensation and benefits committee.

Personnel actions approved
•Thomas Ryan, M.D., has been name director and holder of The John G. and Jeanne Bonnet McCoy Chair in The Ohio State University Heart Center and the Department of Internal Medicine, effective July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2011. Dr. Ryan is currently professor of medicine and director of the Duke Heart Center and vice chief for clinical services, Division of Cardiology, in the Duke University Medical Center.
•Daniel D. Sedmak has been named executive director of the Center for Personalized Health Care, effective April 1, 2007, through March 31, 2011.
•Peter M. Shane has been named to the Jacob E. Davis and Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law in the Moritz College of Law, effective April 1, 2007, through March 31, 2017.

Emeritus titles granted
•Robert W. Douglass, professor emeritus in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, effective Feb. 1, 2007
•Michael A. Pereira, professor emeritus in the Department of Internal Medicine, effective April 1, 2007
•Sara L. Staats, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology, effective July 1, 2007
•Gerald A. Winer, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology, effective April 1, 2007
•Angelo A. Alonzo, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology, effective April 1, 2007
•Louis S. Fourman, assistant professor emeritus in Ohio State University Extension, effective June 1, 2007

Resolutions in memoriam adopted
•Walter L. Fishel, professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, who died on Nov. 13, 2006
•Reed D. Taylor, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, who died on Nov. 17, 2006

University Development report accepted
Trustees accepted the report from The Ohio State University Development Fund and The Ohio State University Foundation on gifts received by the university during February 2007, which established 16 new endowed funds totaling $2.8 million.

Appointment of investment managers approved
Trustees approved the appointment of investment managers and reallocation of funds as recommended by the Investments Committee, which periodically reviews the results obtained by the university's external investment managers and the amount of funds assigned to each, reallocating funds as conditions change.

Construction projects approved
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following projects:•Renovation of Cunz Hall to create offices and labs for the College of Public Health. Estimated project cost is $20.1 million to be provided by state and development funds.
•Renovation of Jones Graduate Tower. Estimated project cost is $6 million to be provided by future bond proceeds.
•Site preparation and infrastructure for Part II of the Morehouse Medical Plaza – Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging for research and patient care. Estimated project cost is $3.1 million to be provided by Ohio Department of Development Third Frontier grant funds.
•Renovation of Murray Hall to create offices and labs for the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research. Estimated project cost is $1 million to be provided by state funds.
•Upgrades to the chilled water system on North Campus. Estimated project cost is $7.5 million to be provided by future bond proceeds.
•Replacement of the chiller in Rightmire Hall. Estimated project cost is $258,892 to be provided by facilities operations and development funds.
•Upgrades to deteriorated steam and condensate distribution lines. Estimated project cost is $8.2 million to be provided by future bond proceeds.
•Renovation of existing animal facilities in Wiseman Hall and minor improvements to animal facilities in Sisson Hall. Estimated project cost is $2 million to be provided by state and development funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following projects:
•Repair of the fume hood exhaust system in Evans Laboratory. Estimated project cost is $1.5 million to be provided by facilities operations and development funds.
•Upgrades to the passenger elevator in Goss Laboratory. Estimated project cost is $218,492 to be provided by state funds.
•Replacement of the steam and condensate line between the Recreation and Physical Activities Center and the Neil Avenue Parking Garage. Estimated project cost is $210,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Upgrade of utilities at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center's East Campus. Estimated project cost is $301,195 to be provided by facilities operations and development funds.
The board authorized the university to increase the design contracts for the following project:
•Upgrades to the life safety systems at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Revised estimated project cost is $1.2 million to be provided by state funds.

University to participate in facilities administration program
The board authorized the university to participate in the Local Administration Certification Program that was set up by the Ohio General Assembly to allow institutions of higher learning to administer state-funded capital facilities without the supervision, control or approval of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

Ticket prices approved
Upon the recommendation of the Athletic Council, the board approved increases of $1 per game for football and men's basketball tickets for Fiscal Year 2008. Golf course membership fees for Calendar Year 2007 will rise 4.6 percent – from $1,625 to $1,700 – for faculty and staff, and 4.9 percent – from $2,025 to $2,125 – for alumni and Buckeye Club members. Student membership fees and daily fees for all members will remain the same.

Series H Notes to be issued
The board authorized the university to issue and sell General Receipts Commercial Paper Notes, Series H.