OHIO Board of Trustees to consider Lancaster nursing expansion, review University's Dynamic Strategy efforts

The Ohio University Board of Trustees will consider approval of a nursing expansion on the Lancaster campus and learn more about the groundbreaking research and innovations taking place within the University’s  Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) during meetings Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 on OHIO’s  Dublin campus.

Additionally, the Board will review and consider a resolution to move forward with implementation of OHIO’s ongoing Dynamic Strategy efforts; they will also consider the formal approval of Ohio University’s reimagined mission, vision and values statements as part of their review.

The Board will also receive an enrollment update from Vice President of Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger.

Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, and at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 14, in the Dublin Integrated Education Center Rooms 246/247 on Ohio University’s Dublin campus. The complete schedule and agenda for the June meetings, as well as links to livestreams for both days, is available online at fc-daudenzell.com/trustees.

Additional agenda items from the Board of Trustees’ June meeting are anticipated to include:

The Future of Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1 p.m. Thursday, June 13, Rooms 246/247

Ohio University Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Dustin Grooms and his team will showcase their ongoing research exploration into how injuries affect the way the body communicates with the brain and explain the innovative therapies that are being developed in his lab.

The presentation will also highlight the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute

(OMNI) Injury and Pain Research Center, whose faculty are ranked among the top scientists in the world. Grooms will detail how the research center, which has been externally funded with over $25 million in grant funding over the past decade, is developing innovative approaches to rehabilitation through augmented reality.

Nursing expansion on the Lancaster campus
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1 p.m. Thursday, June 13, Rooms 246/247

The Board will consider a resolution to expand the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS-N) pre-licensure program to the Lancaster campus, pending completion of the required external approval processes.

Currently, the AAS-N program is offered on OHIO’s Chillicothe, Southern and Zanesville campuses. However, students who live in the Lancaster community and are interested in pursuing the AAS-N program must currently commute to another regional campus or another institution; through this new expansion, students across the Lancaster community would have the opportunity to pursue their degree closer to home.

In addition to reviewing OHIO’s proposed Nursing expansion, they will also consider a resolution that would restructure the current departmental composition of the College of Health Sciences and Professions to better meet the needs of individual departments and streamline efforts within each profession.

Capital Projects
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 2:20 p.m. Thursday, June 13, Rooms 246/247

The Board will consider several new capital projects, including:

• OHIO Zanesville Herrold Hall Nursing Labs Renovation - The Board will consider a resolution to increase the budget of the nursing labs renovation by $75,000 to accomplish the intended scope that meets programmatic needs as ongoing increases in the construction market occur. The project would create purpose-built space for academic and hands-on lab instruction by providing program enhancements related to facilities and addressing deferred maintenance needs. The $1.5 million project is anticipated to be funded by internal bank financing and regional higher education departmental reserves.
• Bush Airport New Hangar Construction – The Board will consider a resolution to create a safe and secure storage facility for University-owned and private aircraft. This project would provide new hangar space for 16 aircraft, enabling future renovation of the existing hangar. The $1.9 million project is anticipated to be funded by federal and state grants and departmental reserves.
• Convocation Center Lower Flat Roof Replacement – The Board will consider a resolution to replace the membrane flat roof sections on the Convocation Center to prevent water intrusion. This $1 million project is anticipated to be funded by deferred maintenance century bond funding.
• Morton Hall Elevator Repairs – The Board will consider a resolution to modernize the existing elevator in Morton Hall, which is original to the building. This $640,000 project is anticipated to be funded by deferred maintenance century bond funding.
• West Green Chilled Water Plant Equipment Updates – The Board will consider approval to renew and replace critical equipment to ensure uninterrupted utility service from the West Green Water Plant. This $550,000 project is anticipated to be funded by century bond residual funding and departmental funding.

FY24 Forecast and FY25 All Funds Operating Budget
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 2:20 p.m. Thursday, June 13, Rooms 246/247

Interim Vice President for Finance & Administration and CFO John Day will present an overview of the FY24 financial forecast. The presentation will also highlight how OHIO has balanced revenues and expenses in the proposed FY25 budget by bridging with reserves while focusing on developing and implementing strategies to achieve a sustainable multi-year budget.

Reimagined Mission Statement, Dynamic Strategy Goals
Main Board meeting, 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, Rooms 246/247

The Board will consider approval of OHIO’s reimagined mission, vision and values statement, as well as the goals and strategies set forth by President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and the respective pillar working groups. In the fall of 2023, President Gonzalez charged a small group of University leaders and experts with the task of reviewing and refreshing OHIO’s mission, vision and values statements, which have not been fully updated since 2007. OHIO’s Dynamic Strategy effort is focused on the creation of strategic goals and priorities to help guide the University into the future, engage thousands of students, faculty, staff and alumni and help guide the University’s work for the next three years.