Trustees meet, approve university-related matters

COLUMBUS – Medical research, faculty support and student scholarships will benefit from new endowed funds established by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees at its meeting Friday (7/8). Trustees accepted $7.53 million in gifts received by the university during May, as well as 286 research grants and contracts totaling $25.3 million awarded to the university that same month.

In other business, trustees approved a variety of fiscal, personnel and construction-related matters.
Named endowed chair
•The Jeg Coughlin Chair in Childhood Cancer Development Therapeutics, $1.5 million, provided by a gift from the JEG's Foundation of Delaware to fund a chair position in the Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute in order to advance the medical science related to childhood cancers.

Named endowed professorships
•The Dr. Arthur G. and Mildred C. James Professorship in Surgical Oncology, $753,995, provided by gifts from Mrs. Arthur G. James and the James family, friends and former patients of Dr. James to support the salary and research of the chief of Surgical Oncology at the Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
•The Robert Smith Endowed Professorship in Physics, $750,000, provided by a gift from Robert Beaton Smith (B.A., 1936) of Newport Beach, Calif., to support a distinguished senior faculty position in the Department of Physics
Named endowed funds•The Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology, $1.5 million, provided by support from the General Assembly of the state of Ohio and private gifts to support the work of an outstanding scholar in health psychology
•The Marilyn Ruth Hathaway Education Scholarship Fund, $1.29 million, provided by gifts from Emily L. Hathaway and her estate in memory of her daughter Marilyn (B.S.Ed., 1973; M.A. Education, 1977) to provide scholarships for students in the College of Education who are preparing to become teachers
•The Jay J. Jacoby M.D., Ph.D., Chair Fund in Anesthesiology, $1.094 million, provided by a gift from Helene Kurshan Jacoby in honor and memory of her late husband Dr. Jay J. Jacoby to support a chair position to be held by the chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology
•The Retrieving the American Past II Fund, $150,000, provided by earnings from the Department of History's electronic database text, Retrieving the American Past, to support research and scholarships in the Department of History
•William M. Garrett, M.D., Scholarship Endowment Fund in Medicine, $95,000, provided by gifts from the estate of Dr. William M. Garrett (M.D. with honors, 1934) from McArthur to provide scholarships to medical students enrolled in the College of Medicine and Public Health
•Joanne G. Sniadoski Cancer Research Fund in Urology, $53,479, provided by a gift from the estate of Joanne G. Sniadoski to support research for human bladder cancer
•The Morris Skilken Memorial Scholarship Fund, $52,000, provided by gifts from B. Lee Skilken (B.C.E., 1952), Ken Gold (B.S., 1977; M.A., 1978) and the estate of Morris Skilken to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an undergraduate student-athlete member of the varsity football team
•The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc. Scholarship Endowment Fund, $51,849, provided by gifts from the Alumni Association's affinity fund to provide scholarships with preference given based on academic performance and financial need
•Miriam and Stanley Schwartz Jr. Scholarship Fund in Medicine, $50,000, provided by gifts in honor of Miriam Golin Schwartz (B.S., 1944; M.S., 1967; Ph.D., 1979) and the late Stanley Schwartz Jr. (B.A. cum laude, 1942; J.D. summa cum laude, 1947) from the Miriam and Stanley Schwartz Jr. Philanthropic Foundation of Columbus to provide scholarships to medical students enrolled in the College of Medicine and Public Health
•The Glen F. Aukerman, M.D. Endowed Fund for Integrative Medicine, $40,000, provided by a gift from the family of Dr. Glen Aukerman to honor and recognize his outstanding commitment and dedication to total patient care, to be used for The Ohio State University Center for Integrative Medicine
•Albert O. and Anne K. Myers Surveying Scholarship Fund, $39,864, provided by a gift from Albert J. Myers in memory of Albert O. and Anne K. Myers to provide scholarships to undergraduates who are majoring in geomatics engineering and who show strong interest in becoming a practicing land surveyor
•James A. Bailey, M.D. Scholarship Fund in Medicine, $27,051, provided by gifts from family members, colleagues and friends in memory of the late James Arrelaus Bailey (M.D., 1964) of Atlanta, Ga., to provide scholarships to medical students with physical disabilities
•The Cseplo Family Innovation Fund, $26,000, provided by gifts from William P. Cseplo (B.S.Bus.Adm., 1973) and Carolyn K. Cseplo (B.S.Ed., 1973) of Dublin to be used by the dean of The Max M. Fisher College of Business to support activities of the faculty, students and staff in accordance with the college's strategic plan
•The Color World Housepainting, Inc. Athletic Scholarship Fund, $25,000, provided by a gift from Color World Housepainting, Inc. of Gahanna and Tom Hodgson, the company's president and founder, to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an undergraduate student-athlete member of the varsity football team
•Mary Beth Fontana, M.D. and Gary Wise, M.D. Professor of the Year Award Endowment Fund, $25,000, provided by gifts from Dr. Mary Beth Fontana Wise (B.A., 1963; M.D. summa cum laude, 1966) of Columbus to provide an annual award to an outstanding College of Medicine and Public Health faculty member
Change in description of named endowed fund
•The Sarah Ross Soter Endowed Chair in Women's Cardiovascular Health at OSU Heart Center

Personnel actions
•David W. Andrews has been named interim dean of the College of Education, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2007. He holds a concurrent appointment as dean of the College of Human Ecology.
•William B. Farrar, has been named holder of The Dr. Arthur G. and Mildred C. James Professorship in Surgical Oncology in the College of Medicine and Public Health, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
•Periannan Kuppusamy has been named associate professor and holder of the William D. and Jacquelyn L. Wells Chair in Imaging Research in The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute/College of Medicine and Public Health, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
•Leslie P. Ridout, Jr. has been named associate vice president and chief organizational effectiveness and human resources office in the Office of Health Sciences/Medical Center, effective June 1, 2005. Prior to this appointment, he was president of INSIGHTS4U, LLC (Human Resource Consulting Co.)
•Julian F. Thayer has been named professor and The Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology in the Department of Psychology, effective Oct. 1, 2005. He is currently senior investigator and section chief at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore, Md.
•Glenn S. Daehn has been reappointed to The Dr. Mars G. Fontana Professorship in Metallurgical Engineering in the College of Engineering, effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009.
•Susan W. Fisher has been appointed chairperson of the Department of Entomology, effective Oct. 1, 2005, through Sept. 30, 2009.
•Deborah S. Larsen has been appointed interim director of the School of Allied Medical Professions, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.
•Franklin W. Schwartz has been appointed chairperson of the Department of Geological Sciences, effective July 1, 2005, through Sept. 20, 2009.
•Julianne M. Serovich has been appointed interim chairperson of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.
•Sergio Soave has been appointed chairperson of the Department of Art, effective Aug. 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
•Herbert F. Weisberg has been appointed chairperson of the Department of Political Science, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
•Richard M. Bednarski has been reappointed director of the Veterinary Hospital, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006.
•Michael D. Lairmore has been reappointed chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, effective July 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2005
•Maria Palazzi has been reappointed director of the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, effective July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2009.
•Robert G. Sherding has been reappointed chairperson of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, effective July 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2005.

Hospital board reappointments
Trustees approved the reappointments for a second three-year term as citizen members of the University Hospital board for the following:
•John F. Havens
•Timothy O'Dell
•Nancy Petro
•George A. Skestos
•Ann I. Wolfe

Emeritus titles
•Michael A. Fligner, professor emeritus in the Department of Physics, effective Sept. 1, 2005
•Sheldon W. Halpern, professor emeritus in the Moritz College of Law, effective July 1, 2005
•George A. Marzluf, professor emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry, effective July 1, 2005
•Tony Tripodi, professor emeritus in the College of Social Work, effective Oct. 1, 2005
•Larry J. Evans, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre (Mansfield Campus), effective July 1, 2005
•Marcia Dickson, associate professor emeritus in the Department of English (Marion Campus), effective Oct. 1, 2005
•John C. Gordon, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, effective July 1, 2005
•Janet H. Hickman, associate professor emeritus in the School of Teaching and Learning, effective Aug. 1, 2005
•Eric R. Kreidler, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, effective July 1, 2005
•Richard H. Nuenke, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, effective July 1, 2005
•Laura G. Blomquist, assistant professor emeritus in University Libraries, effective Sept. 1, 2005
•Patricia A. McCandless, assistant professor emeritus in University Libraries, effective Aug. 1, 2005
•Roger P. Stradley, assistant professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, effective July 1, 2005

Resolutions in memoriam
•Virgil L. Carnes, assistant professor emeritus of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the College of Dentistry, who died on May 19, 2005
•Wilbur A. Gould, professor emeritus in the Department of Food Science and Technology, who died May 2, 2005
•Charles W. Miller, assistant professor emeritus in the College of Dentistry, who died May 27, 2005
•Carl E. Nielsen, professor emeritus in the Department of Physics, who died May 23, 2005
•Norman R. Sleight, former member of The Ohio State University Newark Regional Campus Board of Trustees, who died May 6, 2005
Medical Center Affairs Committee named
Trustees Daniel M. Slane, Robert M. Duncan, Dimon R. McFerson and Jo Ann Davidson will sit on the board's Medical Center Affairs Committee, to be chaired by Slane. David Lauer, Donald Shackelford and Ellen Hardymon were appointed as public members.
Conflict of commitment policy approved
The board approved establishing a Conflict of Commitment Policy limiting faculty external activities that interfere with their primary responsibilities of teaching, research and service to the university, its students and the people of Ohio.

Faculty rules amended
Trustees approved several technical and editorial changes to the Rules of the University Faculty.
Construction projects
The board authorized the university to enter into feasibility study contracts for the following:
•Construction of a chilled water plant to serve buildings in the east region of the campus. Estimated study cost is $70,000 to be provided by future bond proceeds.
•Strategic planning analysis of the North Academic Core for future projects. Estimated study cost is $300,000 to be provided by university central funds.
The board authorized the university to enter into design contracts for the following:
•Replacement of the roof on the Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Lab. Estimated project cost is $710,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Replacement of the roofs on Hangars 1, 2 and 3 at the University Airport. Estimated project cost is $510,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Repairs and modifications to the existing fume hood exhaust and building HVAC systems serving Celeste Laboratory. Estimated project cost is $1.5 million to be provided by state funds.
•Renovations to the third floor of the Central Classroom Building. Estimated project cost is $948,610 to be provided by state funds.
•Upgrade of the passenger elevator to meet current codes, standards and usage in Goss Laboratory. Estimated project cost is $210,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Replacement of the chilled water lines in Kottman Hall to handle the increased building load. Estimated project cost is $170,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Repairs and modifications to the existing fume hood exhaust system and building HVAC systems serving Kottman Hall. Estimated project cost is $1.5 million to be provided by state funds.
•Construction of an Animal and Plant Biology Level 3 Isolate Facility at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Estimated project cost is $20 million to be provided by state and local funds and federal grants.
•Replacement of the roof on the southwest portion of Postle Hall. Estimated project cost is $350,000 to be provided by state funds.

The board authorized the university to enter into construction management contracts for the following:
•Addition of two floors to the Ross Heart Hospital to provide an additional 60 patient care beds and required support spaces. Estimated project cost is $32.35 million to be provided by future bond proceeds.
The board authorized the university to enter into construction contracts for the following:
•Renovation of Building 2 at 650 Ackerman Road for OSU Medical Offices Information Systems Department. Estimated construction cost is $3 million to be provided by University Hospital auxiliary funds.
•Replacement of portions of the roofs on Buildings 2 and 4 at 650 Ackerman Road. Estimated construction cost is $1.03 million to be provided by departmental funds.
•Phase I replacement of the existing carpet in Skou Hall Student Lounge and Halterman Hall Computer Lab on the Agricultural Technical Institute campus. Estimated construction cost is $40,000 to be provided by state funds.
•Construction of four swing spaces as part of the Thompson Library renovation. Estimated construction cost is $3.5 million to be provided by state and local funds.
•Renovation of several buildings at Don Scott Field and Waterman Lab. Estimated construction cost is $740,000 to be provided by state funds.
The board authorized the university to increase construction contracts for the following:
•Renovation of three cold rooms at the Byrd Polar Research Center in Scott Hall. Revised estimated construction cost is $364,735 to be provided by state funds.
•Phase I of the renovation of University Hall. Revised estimated construction cost is $567,000 to be provided by departmental funds.
Digestive Disease project scope changes outlined

The Medical Center requested a change in the Digestive Disease project, approved by the board in November 2004. The new plan, driven by decisions regarding the Medical Center Master Facility Plan, entails adding four floors to the new Doan Building and demolishing Means Hall, a 54-year-old, inefficient building, to make way for a new diagnostic and treatment building and a new patient bed tower. The requested changes will increase the total project budget from $19.5 million to $35.9 million. Funding will be realigned from funds previously allocated for clinical growth through Project Cancer and will not increase the debt capacity already allocated to the Medical Center by the university.

Investment managers appointed
Trustees approved the appointment and reappointment of the university's external investment managers. The Investments Committee periodically reviews the results obtained by the external managers and the amount of funds assigned to them, making adjustments as economic conditions and performances change.

Interim authorization granted
Trustees authorized the university to enter into design, construction management and construction contracts for university capital projects as necessary prior to the September trustees meeting.
Property transactions authorized
Trustees authorized the university to purchase improved real property at 1441 East Granville Street in Columbus for $40,000. Funding for the acquisition and use of this property will be provided by University Hospital East.
Trustees also authorized the sale of property at 515 South State Street in Westerville for $500,000 to Shreenathji Enterprises. The University Medical Center has determined that the property was no longer needed. Net proceeds from the sale will support the Medical Center.

Alternative Retirement Plan amended
Trustees authorized the university to adopt several amendments to the Alternative Retirement Plan for university employees in order to incorporate changes to the Ohio Revised Code and the Internal Revenue Service. The amendments will take effect Aug. 1, 2005.

Bonds, notes issuance and sale approved
Trustees authorized the issuance and sale of General Receipts Bonds, Series 2005 A , in the principal amount not to exceed $300 million; Variable Rate Demand General Receipts Bonds, Series 2005 B, in the principal amount not to exceed $250 million; and General Receipts Commercial Paper Notes, Series G, the principal amount not to exceed $107 million.

Board hears update on student counseling
Louise Douce, director of Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS), reported on trends in student mental health. Like other universities, Ohio State has experienced dramatic increases in the number and severity of mental health concerns over the past 15 years or so. The increase is the result of more people recognizing concerns and seeking help, as well as improved medication and treatments that allow persons who previously would not have been able to succeed in college to do so now. The top three symptoms that bring students to CCS are depression, relationship problems and anxiety.

Last year, CCS saw about 2,400 students for about 15,000 appointments with the staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and counselors. In addition, some 200 outreach programs served about 10,000 students, and crisis intervention teams responded to six incidents. However, she said, the staff size is inadequate to meet its goal of serving all students who request help within one week of their calling.
A recent study of student affairs administrators nationwide shows marked increases in eating disorders, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, classroom disruption, gambling and suicide attempts. Douce said that Ohio State statistics reflect the same trends.

University Orientation is detailed
The Academic and Student Affairs Committee was briefed by Mabel Freeman, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience (UAFYE) and Phyllis Miller, director of FYE Programs, on efforts to help first-year students become acclimated to the university. They reported that more than 16,000 students and family members will participate in University Orientation on the Columbus campus this summer, including 5,800 entering freshmen. Partnering with academic advisers and the Office of Student Affairs, the two-day program gives students an opportunity to become more familiar with the campus, attend group advising sessions, schedule classes and complete university business. Uniquely-designed sessions are provided for transfer students and family members. Freeman also talked about the inaugural group of Land Grant Opportunity Scholars and program plans for the 110 students who have been awarded full scholarships to attend Ohio State autumn quarter.

Trustees hear presentation on Student Financial Aid
Tally Hart, director of Student Financial Aid, provided a report on rising college costs and student aid. Hart said that according to national reports very few families save for college and only 50 percent of the neediest students apply for admission because of misconceptions that aid is unavailable. Ohio State, through a number of funding programs, has been successful in offsetting tuition costs while increasing its academic standards and the economic diversity of its student population. Grants and scholarships provided by Ohio State continue to outpace federal and state increases and this fall will incorporate the Land Grant Opportunities Scholars Program that will provide high-ability, low-income students from 83 counties in Ohio with a full and renewable scholarship. In addition, borrowing money through higher interest loans continues to grow rapidly, however Ohio State students still borrow below the average for our sector.
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