Ohio University Board of Trustees to receive enrollment update, learn about development of OHIO’s distinctive place-based curriculum

The Ohio University Board of Trustees will receive an enrollment update and learn about how OHIO is developing and leveraging opportunities for increased place-based learning during meetings on Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 20, on the Athens campus.

The Board will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, in Walter Hall 104 on the Athens Campus. 

During the meetings, the Board will consider approval for the new translational research building on Union Street Green to be named the Heritage Translational Research Center in recognition of the generosity of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and their continued commitment to advancing osteopathic medical education and translational research at OHIO.

Additionally, the Board will hear from College of Fine Arts Dean Matthew Shaftel about the Marching 110 and their ongoing celebration of 100 years of marching bands at OHIO. The presentation will include students, faculty and alumni who will talk about how the band has provided them with unparalleled engagement and leadership opportunities, while driving their decision to choose OHIO.

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

Learning and Leading in a place-based space
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Walter Hall 104

Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Elizabeth Sayrs, Associate Professor of Instruction Michelle O’Malley and Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Jennifer Bowie will provide insight into what place-based learning is and how it has the potential to provide transformative education and research experiences for all OHIO students, faculty and staff and the communities they serve.

Additionally, they will highlight a pilot program they conducted with students in the OHIO Honors Program that introduced students to a component of OHIO’s certificate in the Ecology of Leadership program, which is currently in development. The Board will also hear from students who participated in the pilot program and learn about the next steps in the development of a distinctive place-based curriculum. 

Enrollment update
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Walter Hall 104

Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger will provide an update on preliminary census enrollment data for fall 2023, noting that total enrollment across OHIO increased for the first time in several years, coming in at 28,324 students University-wide, a 2.5% increase over where OHIO was at this time in 2022.

VP Boeninger will discuss this year’s record-breaking first-year class which boasted 4,517 students and how first-year student retention played an integral role in the overall enrollment increase as well. She will also highlight important gains in OHIO’s online and regional campus populations.

Capital projects
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Walter Hall 104

The Board will consider several new capital projects, including:

• Clippinger Renovation Phase III - The Board will consider approval for a budget amendment of $3.25 million to address unforeseen conditions related to precast concrete wall panels and fit out two Biochemistry labs which were previously planned as shell space. This $41.2 million project is funded by bond series 2020, state capital appropriations, century bond deferred maintenance and emergency funds, strategic reserves and capital safety funds.
• Ohio University Zanesville Herrold Hall Nursing Labs Renovation II - The Board will consider approval for the renovation and reconfiguration of approximately 4,600 square feet of space to create three nursing simulation labs, two testing labs and two tech support spaces, as well as upgrades to restrooms, lighting and addition supporting infrastructure. This $1.4 million project is funded by internal bank financing.
• Campus Roadway Improvements FY24-FY25 - The Board will consider approval to rehabilitate high priority roadways on the Athens campus as identified by a study looking at the conditions of approximately 6.6 miles of roadway Ohio University owns on the Athens campus and create a multi-year investment plan to rehabilitate the roadways. This $1.05 million project is funded by century bond deferred maintenance.

OHIO Student Investment Programs
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Walter Hall 104

The Board will receive an update on the performance and progress of the OHIO Student Investment Programs, which are two OHIO student organizations that are gaining hands-on experiential learning opportunities through the management of approximately $10.8 million of the University’s long-term working capital pool.

Both groups, Student Equity Management Group (SEMG) and the Fixed Income Management Group (FIMG), are advised under the direct supervision of Associate Professor of Finance David Stowe and receive administrative oversight by Chief Investment Officer David Gaume.

The Board will learn how the groups continue to maintain strong financial performance relative to their benchmarks while continuing a professional operation that allows for ownership, responsibility and real-world experiences.

The full Board of Trustees agenda is available online. The Oct. 19 committee meetings will be streamed at this link. The Oct. 20 committee meetings and main Board meeting will be streamed at this link.