Trustees: Enrollment Management, Student Issues

TRUSTEES HEAR REPORTS, APPROVE STUDENT INSURANCE PLAN

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on 
Friday (6/5) heard reports on enrollment management efforts and 
undergraduate research opportunities and approved a student 
health insurance plan for the 1998-99 academic year.
Enrollment management recommendations reported to trustees

By the year 2002, Ohio State wants to recruit an entering 
freshman class with an average ACT score of 26 -- compared to the 
average score of 24 for the class that entered in autumn 1997.

In light of that goal and the ongoing examination of 
strategies to become a top 10 public institution, university  
officials are recommending ways to improve freshman retention and 
six-year graduation rates.  

Ohio State's freshman retention rate stands at 79 percent, 
improving from 77.7 percent in 1996.  The six-year graduation 
rate is 57 percent.  Officials have outlined a goal to increase 
first-year retention to 89 percent and the six-year graduation 
rate to 78 percent by 2002.

"We must retain students from the moment of their entry 
through the beginning of their sophomore year," said Kermit L. 
Hall, dean of the College of Humanities, executive dean of the 
Colleges of the Arts and Sciences and chair of the Enrollment 
Management Steering Committee.  "The first-year experience 
generally determines whether students will continue at Ohio 
State.  We must provide all students with supports that make it 
attractive for them to stay at Ohio State."

The steering committee estimates that recruitment- and 
retention-related strategies would cost approximately $100,000 
for each one-tenth of a point increase in the ACT score.  The 
committee, after consultation with many campus groups, 
recommended the following initiatives to increase retention:

-- In terms of academic support, encouraging at-risk 
students with more one-on-one contact and continuing improvements 
in academic advising.

-- Establishing more residence hall living/learning 
communities and enhancing student leadership through faculty 
mentoring.

-- Increasing communication about student support 
initiatives by developing a system to inform the campus, 
improving the student climate and producing an electronic 
university events calendar.

-- Expanding research on enrollment issues and revising the 
transfer credit evaluation system.

Strategies expected to require little or no additional cost 
include:

-- Requiring mid-quarter feedback in lower-level courses; 
continuing to reduce closed courses; continuing to reward 
excellent teaching and emphasizing teaching in promotion and 
tenure decisions; monitoring English language capabilities of 
instructional staff; providing tutoring services information; 
continuing to assess curricular strategies; expanding direct 
enrollment options; and establishing assessment and support 
structures for academic advising, including within the residence 
halls.

-- In other areas, recommendations include continuing to 
enhance career counseling; expanding use of the World Wide Web to 
deliver student services, campus information and instruction; and 
including financial planning in financial services.

Board approves student health insurance plan 

The board approved the one-year renewal of a contract with 
Central Benefits Mutual Insurance Co. to provide student health 
insurance.  The contract reflects a significant reduction of 
rates and includes additional benefits.  

Under the new plan, the quarterly rate for student-only 
coverage will decrease by 2.09 percent.  Student-and-spouse 
coverage and student-with-children coverage will decrease by 4.9 
percent.  For students with a spouse and children, the rate 
decreases by 5.2 percent.  

Additional benefits include increased prescription benefits 
to reflect no pre-existing condition exclusion, the addition of 
oral contraceptives and expansion to cover all claims over the 
current $300 maximum benefit.  A vision care benefit also will be 
added that provides a comprehensive eye exam every 12 months and 
discounts on eyewear.

Board hears report on the Undergraduate Research Forum

The board heard a report by William Baeslack, interim vice 
president for research, on the recent Richard J. and Martha D. 
Denman Undergraduate Research Forum at Ohio State.  The forum, 
held annually since 1995, is a juried event that showcases 
research completed by Ohio State undergraduate students.

Approximately 103 students participated in the forum, with 
28 students awarded a total of $15,400 for their work.  

"The research forum is one way of demonstrating the 
integration of research and education and highlighting the 
quality of work undergraduates can do," Baeslack said.  "It 
provides undergraduates the opportunity to experience, 
investigate and demonstrate hands-on what they have learned 
inside the classroom."

Baeslack said the forum provides concrete examples of the 
work faculty members do with undergraduates, and is an 
opportunity to publicize the research work of undergraduates.  It 
also allows students to be recognized, rewarded and affirmed for 
their work.

Three students -- Raymond Tseng, a senior majoring in oral 
biology and dentistry; Krista Irmscher, a sophomore psychology 
major; and Meredith Broderick, a junior chemistry major -- also 
spoke to the board about their participation in the forum. 

"Participating in the research forum was a perfect 
complement to my experience inside the classroom.  It has given 
me a more realistic understanding of what research is, and what 
role research will play in my future career goals," Tseng said. 

Board hears a report on KBUX

Trustees heard a report from Alexandros Papaleonardos, 
general manager of KBUX, the student-run radio station at Ohio 
State.  Established in 1995 by the Undergraduate Student 
Government and with funds from the Office of Student Affairs, 
KBUX is operated by some 100 students and broadcasts through the 
UNITS cable system, the Internet and through several speakers set 
up throughout the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

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Contact:  Kermit L. Hall, Humanities, (614) 292-1882
Mary Daniels, Student Affairs, (614) 292-9334
Linda Meadows, Research, (614) 292-3805