OHIO leaders share answers to community questions from Nov. 4 ‘University Updates’

Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez hosted the second “University Updates” event of the academic year on Monday, Nov. 4.

University Updates are held throughout the year as part of OHIO’s ongoing efforts to further connections and dialogue throughout the University community. At each event, OHIO leaders provide information on current projects and initiatives through short presentations. All students, faculty and staff are invited to watch the events in person or via livestream.

After each event, all members of the OHIO community can submit questions to each speaker based on their individual topics of discussion. Answers to the questions that were submitted during the Nov. 4 event are now available to view on the University Updates website.

The next University Updates event will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the Baker University Center Theater.

OHIO Leadership presentations

After an introduction from President Gonzalez, Executive Director of Government Relations Eric Burchard spoke about the importance of advocating for Ohio University as well as cultivating and maintaining relationships with government officials and key decision makers on behalf of OHIO. Burchard emphasized that the Office of Government Relations is not alone in this effort and thanked his colleagues and other advocates for their work in raising the University’s profile and showcasing its value in the hyper-competitive environments of the Ohio Statehouse and Washington.

Burchard noted that just about every aspect of Ohio University’s operations are directly or indirectly controlled by the state and federal government including funding—the University receives around $175-200 million annually in state funding. He also explained that the work OHIO advocates have done has paid dividends at the state and federal level with funding being awarded for an Ohio University airport hangar renovation, a new HCOM mini mobile unit and a Kennedy Museum of Art building restoration project, in addition to faculty research funding awards.

Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Russell Morrow reflected on how Ohio University’s mission, vision and values are closely intertwined with diversity and inclusion efforts and shared the division’s inclusive excellence strategic priorities—improving inclusion and connection across OHIO’s campus communities, expanding curricular and cocurricular intercultural learning experiences and maximizing inclusive excellence outreach for OHIO employees.

Morrow also noted that OHIO received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for the seventh year in a row and acknowledged that the University is celebrating 200 years since its first Black graduate John Newton Templeton’s enrollment and graduation. Morrow concluded by announcing Inclusive Excellence Strategic Priority Grants are available for faculty and staff to support projects, programs and experiences that reflect the inclusive excellence priorities.

Chief of the Ohio University Police Department Andrew Powers provided information about the department’s structure and jurisdiction. Powers spoke about OUPD’s general duties—patrol operations, criminal investigations, community relations and special operations—bomb detection K9s, dignitary protection and providing security at athletic events, large concerts and other special events. He also spoke about OUPD’s partnership with the GRID Lab on the Appalachian Law Enforcement Initiative, which designed immersive virtual reality training experiences for police officers. The initiative was utilized statewide, contributing to OUPD’s position as a leader in 21st century policing.

Powers also discussed how the Ohio University Police Department works ahead of time with students who are planning demonstrations to help them organize and manage their events safely and in a way that protects everyone’s Constitutional rights and freedom of expression.

Dean of Students Kathy Fahl discussed the role of the Office of the Dean of Students, mainly, supporting students in crisis, advocating for students as they navigate the university environment and communicating with families and parents of students. Fahl specifically highlighted the crisis support and CARE Team, OHIO’s Basic Needs Programs and parent and family engagement opportunities—family weekends, Bobcat Family Council and Keeping Bobcats Informed.

Regarding freedom of expression, Fahl also highlighted ways in which OHIO students can use their voices safely within the bounds of the law and policy including protest planning support, a Campus Climate Response Team that provides real time education during protests and videos educating students on how to express themselves.

Additional details about OHIO’s University Updates series are available online.