Ohio University Board of Trustees to receive annual Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and Sustainability update, learn about first-year student experiences during August meetings

The Ohio University Board of Trustees will receive its annual Facilities Maintenance, Operations and Sustainability update, and learn about the fundamental resources and support services that OHIO provides to first-year students during meetings on Monday, Aug. 21 on the Athens campus.

The Board will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21 in Walter Hall 104 on the Athens Campus. On Tuesday, Aug. 22, the Board will spend its day in a retreat.

On Monday, Aug. 21, Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger will provide a brief update on preliminary incoming student enrollment projections for fall 2023, as well as the latest preliminary information on the status of incoming student enrollment for OHIO’s regional campuses, continuing students, graduate programs, OHIO Online and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Board will also consider approval of renaming the West Union Street Office Center (WUSOC) to the Russ Research Opportunity Center.

Additionally, the Board will also receive an update from President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and learn more about her recent engagements with numerous student leaders, faculty, staff, alumni and community members during her first six weeks as OHIO’s 23^rd president.

Highlighted items on the Board agenda, listed in the anticipated order of occurrence, include:

OHIO’s First-Year Student Experience
Academics and Student Success Committee, 11:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, Walter Hall 104

Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Elizabeth Sayrs and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Lyn Redington will present an overview of the first-year experience, from Bobcat Student Orientation to the end of their first semester.

The Board will learn about the fundamental touch points that are provided to OHIO’s first-year students in support of their academic and personal journey. Sayrs and Redington will also highlight student engagement and showcase the interdisciplinary work that’s taking place across campus to help ensure the best experiences for students.

Capital projects
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, Walter Hall 104

The Board will consider several new capital projects, including:

• Chilled Water Plant 3 Expansion – The Board will consider approval for installation of an additional chiller and associated electrical equipment, pumps and cooling towers at the Chilled Water Plant 3. This $6.8 million project is funded by state capital and housing departmental reserves.
• 31 South Court Roof Replacement – The Board will consider approval to replace the roof at 31 South Court Street. This $1.6 million project is anticipated to be funded through century bonds.
• Copeland Hall HVAC and Controls – The Board will consider approval to replace the HVAC controls in Copeland Hall. This $1.4 million project is anticipated to be funded through century bonds and state capital.
• Ping Center Fire Alarm Replacement – The Board will consider approval to replace the fire alarm system in Ping Center, including the fire alarm control panel and devices. This $1 million project is anticipated to be funded through century bonds.
• Annual Campus Steam Repairs 2024 – The Board will consider approval to address campus steam distribution and tunnel improvements as identified through the annual tunnel assessment. This $1 million project is anticipated to be funded through century bonds.

Facilities Maintenance, Operations, and Sustainability annual update
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, Walter Hall 104

The Board will receive an update from Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) and CFO and Treasurer Mark Heil, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Safety Troy Bonte and Associate Vice President for Design and Construction Jon Cozad regarding OHIO’s ongoing facilities management, operations and sustainability efforts. During this presentation, the group will provide a brief operational overview of each of the functional units, as well as key performance indicators.

Additionally, Heil, Bonte and Cozad will highlight various VPFA recognitions and awards and showcase some of the department’s creative, new initiatives for funding energy management projects at OHIO.

The full Board of Trustees agenda is available online. The Aug. 21 committee meetings and main board meeting will be streamed at this link.