Board of Trustees to consider new, in-demand programs during March meetings

UPDATE: Ohio University’s Board of Trustees meetings scheduled for March 19-20 has been postponed due to safety precautions for the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The original article is below.

The Ohio University Board of Trustees will receive updates on the University’s implementation of Strategic Framework initiatives and consider tuition/fee rates for FY2021 during its meetings March 19-20 on the Athens Campus.

The Board will also consider the creation of several new programs, as well as the realignment of University Terrace, during the meetings.

New program creation
When: Academics and Student Success Committee, 10 a.m. March 19, Walter Hall 104

The Board will be asked to consider the addition of a number of new programs across the University. They are:

• Bachelor of Applied Human and Consumer Sciences Degree in the Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism program in the Patton College of Education.
• Master of Education in Theater Education in the Department of Teacher Education in the Patton College of Education.
• Master of Science in Project Management in the Department of Engineering Technology and Management in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
• Master of Science in Translational Biomedical Sciences in the Graduate College.
• Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience in the Environmental Studies program in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.

The new program proposals reflect Ohio University’s commitment to investing in new, in-demand programs identified as areas of growth for the University. All programs have been approved by the University Curriculum Council.

Strategic Framework update
When: Academics and Student Success Committee, 10 a.m. March 19, Walter Hall 104

University leadership will provide an update on progress with Ohio University’s Strategic Framework initiatives. The Framework themes and initiatives are designed to help the university reclaim its position as a higher education leader in the state and the nation as Ohio University adapts to the changes occurring in higher education while protecting its long history of academic excellence and student success.

This update will include:

• One OHIO Integration, including the new leadership structure for regional higher education and campus locations;
• Digital Transformation, including the adoption of a governance structure to identify and prioritize University deployment of resources to improve our information infrastructure;
• Student Success, a guided pathways approach to student academic, career and experiential learning advising through the OHIO Guarantee+ graduation plan, as well as efforts to eliminate the need for remedial education;
• General Education, including the next phase of implementation of a revised general education curriculum following Faculty Senate’s passage of a plan; and
• Marketing and Branding, including work-in-progress results of the brand discovery phase.

Enrollment update, proposed tuition/fee rates for FY21
When: Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 1:45 p.m. March 19, Walter Hall 104

The Board will hear an update on current and projected enrollments, as well as consider a resolution to approve the University’s tuition and fee rate increases for Fiscal Year 2021.

• The update will include information on recruitment and yield initiatives and an overview of recent financial aid and scholarship initiatives. The administration will ask the Board to approve a 4.1 percent increase in OHIO undergraduate tuition rates for the incoming Fall 2020 Guarantee cohort, assuming a 2 percent state tuition cap plus a projected three-year average Consumer Price Index of 2.1 percent as permitted under Ohio Revised Code.
• To limit overall cost increases to students, the administration will recommend no increases to residence hall and dining plan rates for FY21. The Board will also be asked to approve a 2 percent increase for undergraduate, in-state tuition rates for non-Guarantee students.

University Terrace realignment
When: Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 1:45 p.m. March 19, Walter Hall 104

The Board will consider a capital project to realign University Terrace. The realignment, part of the overall Clippinger strategy plan, would alter the path of the roadway so that it’s not immediately adjacent to the Chemistry Building to decrease the risk associated with vehicle-pedestrian interactions in the area of Clippinger Hall and the Chemistry Building. This project would include demolition and removal of the existing roadway and building a new one aligned further from the building and with an adjusted elevation to improve accessibility and integration with adjacent buildings and sidewalks. It would include two new public transit stops, as well as site restoration.

If approved, the project would cost $1.87 million, with construction to occur during the second half of 2020. The realignment would be between the Clippinger Research Annex and the north side of Clippinger Laboratories.

Space initiative update
When: Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 1:45 p.m. March 19, Walter Hall 104

University officials will present an update on OHIO’s Space Utilization Initiative as part of the Strategic Framework plan. The presentation will include an overview of the impact space and place have and the guiding framework this initiative will have as a vision for our campus, areas of study to improve utilization and value, and the collaborative approach and work plan to accomplish goals.

The full agenda for the March Board of Trustees meeting can be found on the Trustees’ website. The main board meeting will be streamed live at this link.