Board of Trustees to receive academic, collaboration updates during January meetings

The Ohio University Board of Trustees will receive an update on the efforts of three colleges that serve as a national model for collaboration among medical, health sciences and public service colleges during its January meetings on the Athens Campus.

Additionally, the Board will receive updates on the development of new programs and consider capital projects during the meetings. President Hugh Sherman also will present an update on his priorities, as well as leadership updates, COVID planning, and a budget discussion.

The Board will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, for its regular meetings in Walter Hall on the Athens Campus, and at 1 p.m. Jan. 13 for a Board retreat in the first-floor active learning classroom in Heritage Hall.

Items on the Board agenda include:

College collaborations
Main board meeting, 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Walter Hall 104

The deans of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Health Sciences and Professions and the Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Service will share details of the collaboration among the three that allows for a range of programs, relationships with external partners and innovative initiatives that address the social determinants of health.

The scope of the colleges’ partners, campuses and networks spans the state and empowers a collective vision of a healthier Ohio. Recent efforts that will be highlighted include the city-county vaccine clinics in Heritage Hall, partnerships including the Ohio Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health and the ARC Inspire Award, and expansion of existing programs such as the Community Health Workforce.

Academic Planning and Strategy update
Academics and Student Success Committee, 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, Walter Hall 104

Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs will give an update on the University’s academic planning and strategy, with an emphasis on new program development. This will include details about goals and process improvements for new program launches, submissions to the University’s Program Innovation Accelerator, and a few recent examples that fill gaps in the University’s program portfolio to meet market demand.

The Program Innovation Accelerator was launched in 2021 to help remove barriers and provide support to faculty members and departments for developing and implementing new or expanded academic programs.

Enrollment update
Academics and Student Success Committee, 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, Walter Hall 104

Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace Boeninger will provide an overview of preliminary Spring 2022 enrollment data. She also will recap 2021 statewide enrollment trends and will provide an early update on the fall 2022 application cycle, as well as progress toward OHIO’s key enrollment priorities.

Capital expenses
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, Walter Hall 104

The Board will be asked to approve several new capital expenses, as well as an addition to the budget for construction of the Russ Research Opportunity Center.

Proposed projects include:

Russ Research Opportunity Center: The Board will be asked to approve an additional $1 million for the project, for a total budget of $32 million, to renovate the former West Union Street Office Center. This is to cover unforeseen conditions, such as necessary structural reinforcement and additional masonry work.
Research and Technology Center demolition: This $3.25 million project would fund demolition of the building and associated utilities, preserving the site for future use as part of Ohio University's portfolio reshaping initiative.
Athens Campus roof repairs: This $1 million project would allow campus roof repairs that have become maintenance burdens. The facilities prioritized for project consideration include the Life Sciences Building, Konneker Research Center, Academic and Research Center, University Service Center Building 2, 31 S. Court St., RTV Communications, the Convocation Center and Gordy Hall.
Peden Tower roof replacement: This $600,000 project would address an actively leaking roof on Peden Tower.
HVAC controls, FY22: This $550,000 project would eliminate the highest-priority maintenance needs related to heating ventilation and air conditioning controls throughout the Athens Campus.

Information Technology road map
Main board meeting, 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, Walter Hall 104

Chief Information Officer Chris Ament will provide an update on the University’s technology investment roadmap through FY2027, including discussion of the University’s IT strategy and major information and technology investments planned during that period.

The presentation will include information about how the Office of Information Technology is reshaping operations, a road map and decision-making framework for major investments, and budget and funding considerations.

Financial update
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, Walter Hall 104

Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Joe Trubacz will provide an update on the FY22 budget and forecast, as well as on COVID revenues and expenses.

Significant changes include updates to the University’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and compensation budgets. The review also will include an update of COVID-related expenses.

Emerging Leadership Academy
Academics and Student Success Committee, 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, Walter Hall 104

Four Ohio University faculty leaders who are participating in the Mid-American Conference Academic Leadership Development Program will present a new faculty development initiative they are designing and planning to launch. The Ohio University Emerging Leadership Academy will allow approximately 20 early- and mid-career faculty to explore and develop their abilities to become effective academic leaders each year.

Mick Andzulis, associate professor and chair of the marketing department in the College of Business; Char Miller, associate professor and interim director for the school of nursing in the College of Health Sciences and Professions; Dwan Robinson, associate professor of educational studies in the Patton College of Education; and Alycia Stigall, professor and chair of geological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences were chosen as 2021-22 MAC Academic Leadership Development Program fellows. Their goal is to launch the academy in Fall 2022.

The full Board of Trustees agenda is available at https://www.ohio.edu/trustees. Attendees will be required to wear masks during the meetings. The Jan. 13 committee meetings will be streamed at this link, and the Jan. 14 meetings will be streamed at this link.