Trustees: Faculty Activities, Things Gone Right Awards

FACULTY ACTIVITIES DISCUSSED WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on 
Friday (3/6) discussed faculty development and policies for faculty 
consulting.  The board also recognized recipients of Things Gone 
Right awards and renamed a department.

Report from Commission on Faculty Development and Careers

The Commission on Faculty Development and Careers is conducting 
a random telephone survey and focus groups targeting faculty members 
at Ohio State, Nancy M. Rudd, vice provost for academic policy and 
personnel, told trustees.

Co-chaired by Rudd and Robert Warmbrod, Distinguished University 
Professor emeritus of human and community resource development, the 
commission will conduct the university's first in-depth study of how 
and when faculty find ways to enhance their skills.  The 16-member 
commission was appointed last spring to analyze current opportunities 
and barriers to faculty development, and to recommend improvements.

It is important that the university invest in its intellectual 
capital rather than let it depreciate, Rudd said. 

"Recruiting the very best faculty is key to assuring the 
university continually improves the quality of its endeavors and its 
national and international reputation," she said.  "Retaining those 
faculty and assuring that they are able to maximize their potential 
and grow over time is equally important."

The commission also is surveying peer institutions and plans to 
make recommendations as its work progresses.

Policy on paid external consulting

In other matters, Rudd reported on the final draft of the 
university's policy on faculty paid external consulting.  While 
participation by faculty members in activities of government, 
industry and private institutions generally serves the academic 
interests of the university and benefits the people of Ohio, a policy 
is being finalized to establish guidelines and reporting requirements 
for paid consulting outside of the university.  

Faculty members are encouraged to engage in paid external 
consulting to the extent that the activities are clearly related to 
the mission of the university and do not entail a conflict of 
interest, Rudd said.  As a general rule, the proportion of a faculty 
member's professional effort devoted to consulting should not exceed 
one business day a week.  And under Ohio law, the university owns any 
intellectual property that is a product of university research. 

The draft policy, which will be presented to University Senate 
this spring and return to trustees for approval, prohibits faculty 
from using the university name or the fact that they are affiliated 
with the university in a manner that:

-- suggests that the university approves or disapproves of a 
product or service provided by a profit, nonprofit or governmental 
agency;

-- suggests that the university has performed research or issued 
research findings when it has not done so, or misleadingly states the 
results of university research;

-- may be interpreted to communicate the official position of 
the university on any issue of public interest.

Furthermore, reporting requirements would include prior 
approval, timeliness and an approval mechanism.

Things Gone Right Award

Trustees recognized recipients of Things Gone Right Awards.  
Award recipients are members of the International Town Hall project 
team recognized for their work in organizing and implementing the 
Feb. 18 CNN televised event on campus.  Some 196 staff members at 
Ohio State participated in the team project to facilitate the Town 
Meeting.  

The team leaders of the project were recognized and presented 
with certificates of appreciation.  Recognized were: Bill Hall, 
assistant vice president for student affairs; Ruth Gerstner, director 
of news services; Sarah Blouch, director of transportation and 
parking services; Ron Michalec, chief of Ohio State police; Debbie 
Gill, director of reprographics; Russell Morrison, UNITS manager; 
Sean Perkins, assistant building coordinator for athletics; Tom 
McGinnis, graduate administrative assistant in athletics; and Jim 
Stevens, associate vice president for physical facilities.

 The remaining team members will be honored at a ceremony at the 
Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, on March 12.

The Things Gone Right award is presented by the Committee on the 
Undergraduate Experience (CUE) to individuals or groups who have 
demonstrated outstanding service.  The award recognizes innovation, 
community-building, student involvement, positive impact and special 
effort.

"The work those involved in the International Town Meeting 
project team provided ensured the success of the project and enhanced 
the reputation of Ohio State in local, national and international 
communities," said David Williams, vice president for student 
affairs.  "They are to be commended for their outstanding work."

Department renamed

Trustees approved changing the name of the Department of 
Agricultural Economics to the Department of Agricultural, 
Environmental and Development Economics.  The new name reflects the 
teaching, research, service and extension activities of the unit.  
The department's three major programs are agriculture and 
agribusiness management, environmental and natural resources, and 
economic development.

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Contact:  Nancy Rudd, Academic Affairs, (614) 292-4385
David Williams, Student Affairs, (614) 292-9334