As 2022-23 academic year begins, Ohio State’s innovation continues hot streak – The Ohio State University News

Research at The Ohio State University is on a roll.

As students continue to move in ahead of the start of autumn semester next week, university leadership had an opportunity Thursday to tout a spate of recent research wins to members of the board of trustees.

Whether its a national study about disaster preparedness that is helping to spur policy discussions or spearheading a new research center funded by the National Science Foundation, Ohio States commitment to research excellence is paying off.

We see our numbers increasing, we see more big wins, said Lou Von Thaer, chair of the boards Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships committee.

Grace Wang, executive vice president of research, innovation and knowledge, pointed to the research center announced last week as especially illustrative of Ohio States impact. Called the Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing, Moving from Evolution to Revolution (HAMMER) Engineering Research Center, it will be one of the biggest research investments in recent Ohio State history if fully realized.

Its really, really exciting for Ohio State to have this milestone moment, said Wang, and to stay ahead of the curve in helping to bring back engineering and manufacturing in the United States.

The committee also heard an update on the Presidents Buckeye Accelerator, which university President Kristina M. Johnson created last year to help fund groups of entrepreneurial students. From this new program, Adithya Ramaswami, an aerospace engineering student, and his co-founder started a new company called Parawave, which aims to equip first responders with 360-degree views via drone technology.

Being part of a community of like-minded innovator students is invigorating and a safe space to grow and learn, he said. This first group of student teams finishes in spring 2023, and applications for a new cohort begin in the upcoming semester.

During the full board meeting, Johnson shared her excitement for the new academic year and important changes that come with it -- including the facilities that help improve the student experience. Johnson noted the opening of Jane E. Heminger Hall, which will expand the College of Nursing, and the Timashev Family Music Building in the Arts District.

How students learn is evolving with the start of fall semester, with the first major overhaul of the universitys general education, or gen-ed, curriculum in more than 30 years. The new program will reduce the number of required gen-ed credit courses, thus providing flexibility in scheduling while preparing Buckeyes for the world in which they will live and work after graduation, Johnson told trustees.

The following actions were also taken during the meeting:

Distinguished University Professorships namedThe board approved the following permanent honorifics of Distinguished University Professor to:

The Distinguished University Professor title is awarded to full professors who have exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and in service.

Textbook auto-adoption policy establishedThe board approved the establishment of a textbook auto-adoption policy that ensures that a decision about textbook and course materials for course use will be identified by the first day of registration for the autumn 2023 term.

Interim campus free speech policy and process establishedThe board approved the establishment of an interim campus free speech policy and process as required under Ohio law. The policy affirms principles of free speech and provides a process for university-affiliated people to submit a complaint about an alleged violation of the policy.

Digital textbook pass-through fees authorizedThe board approved digital textbook pass-through fees at all campuses for fiscal year 2023.

Professional services and construction contracts approvedThe board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

The project will construct a new 13,500-square-foot facility behind the Center for Automotive Research for a bus test center. It will house the new bus dynamometer systems, a bus prep area, hydrogen generation plant, conference spaces and more. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.5 million, to be paid for with grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration.

The project will design the replacement of 16 roof areas as part of a three-year, three-phase project. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.1 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide backup power to chillers, pumps and other equipment providing cooling in the hospital. Trustees approved professional services totaling $600,000, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide life safety communication coverage for first responders in campus hospital buildings to meet requirements for emergency response systems. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide upgrades to building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and the exterior envelope. Trustees approved an increase of $2.1 million in professional services and $16.5 million in construction with contingency to complete remaining general chemistry laboratories and support spaces (nine have already been constructed). Fundraising, university funds and state funds are the sources of funding.

The project will provide HVAC infrastructure upgrades for critical systems on certain floors. Trustees approved $500,000 for an increase in professional services and $1 million for construction with contingency, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project is a new inpatient hospital tower with up to 820 private room beds and 60 bassinets. Trustees approved a $100,000 increase in professional services and $6 million in construction with contingency, to be paid for with university debt, fundraising, auxiliary funds and partner funds.

The project is creating a collaborative campus for inter-professional education throughout the health sciences. Trustees approved an increase of $1.1 million in construction with contingency to equip some classrooms with audio/visual equipment needed to make them distance-learning capable. It will be funded with fundraising, university funds, auxiliary funds and state funds.

Honorary degrees approvedThe board approved the awarding of the following honorary degrees:

Resolutions in Memoriam announced

Faculty personnel actions approvedThe board approved the following appointments:

Reappointments

Extensions

The board also approved appointments and reappointments of department chairs, faculty professional leave arrangements and emeritus titles.

Property sales, leases approvedTrustees approved ground lease arrangements for the following:

Trustees approved the sale of College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences property for the following:

Joint use agreement approvedThe board authorized a second joint use agreement between the university and the Knox County Regional Airport Authority. The university was previously allocated $900,000 in the state capital bill for use by the airport authority to construct a state-of-the-art training facility. A new allocation of $150,000 helps to offset rising construction costs.

University Foundation report approvedThe board approved the report as of June 30, 2022, which includes the establishment of: one endowed chair: the Jeffrey Schottenstein Endowed Chair of Psychiatry and Resilience; one endowed professorship: the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship; one endowed professorship fund: The Daniel Tanner Foundation Endowed Professorship Fund in Curriculum Studies on Adolescence and Democracy; six scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; one scholarship as part of the Joseph A. Alutto Global Leadership Initiative; 14 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 14 named endowed funds.

Bylaw amendments approvedThe board approved revisions to the bylaws of the Ohio State board of trustees.

Naming of university spacesThe board approved the naming of the following university spaces at Jane E. Heminger Hall at 1577 Neil Ave. in acknowledgment of donors:

The board approved the naming of the following internal university spaces at Celeste Laboratory at 120 W. 18th Ave. in acknowledgment of donors:

The board approved the naming of Paul Hartman scoreboard at the Lacrosse Stadium at 630 Irving Schottenstein Drive in acknowledgement of John J. Schiff Jr.s philanthropic support. Trustees also approved the naming of the shooting room rooftop at the stadium as the Suz in acknowledgement of Susan and Grant Douglass support.

Trustees approved the naming of the fertigation room (Room 132) in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex at 2515 Carmack Road. The room is named the General Hydroponics Fertigation Room in acknowledgment of significant support from Scotts Miracle-Gro.

The board approved the naming of the Center for Automotive Research facility at 930 Kinnear Road, which is currently referenced officially by its address.

Degrees and certificates for winter 2022 approvedThe board approved the issuance of degrees and certificates on Dec. 18, 2022, to those who have completed the necessary requirements.

Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2023 approvedTrustees approved Ohio State Energy Partners fiscal year 2023 plan to make capital improvements. Trustees also approved the change in cost of a previously approved project, for which the university will reimburse Ohio State Energy Partners.

Capital investment plan for fiscal year 2023 approvedTrustees authorized the capital investment plan for fiscal year 2023 ending June 30, 2023.

New charter approvedThe board approved the amended charter for the Internal Audit Department, which reports to the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

New board of trustees committees approvedThe board approved the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance and Finance and Investment Committee charters effective Aug. 18, 2022.

Revision to facilities improvement projects, planning studies, and real estate transactions policy approvedThe board approved changes to the policy to clarify the review and approval review for all facilities improvement projects estimated to cost $200,000 or more.

Board committee appointments ratifiedThe board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2023-24 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student LifeJeff M.S. Kaplan, ChairElizabeth A. Harsh, Vice ChairAbigail S. WexnerElizabeth P. KesslerReginald A. WilkinsonMichael KigginSusan E. Cole (faculty member)Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & InvestmentTom B. Mitevski, ChairJames D. Klingbeil, Vice ChairJohn W. ZeigerGary R. HemingerLewis Von ThaerJeff M.S. KaplanMichael KigginTanner R. HuntAmy ChronisKent M. StahlHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & ComplianceElizabeth P. Kessler, ChairMichael Kiggin, Vice ChairAlan A. StockmeisterJeff M.S. KaplanElizabeth A. HarshHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & FacilitiesAlexander R. Fischer, ChairAlan A. Stockmeister, Vice ChairElizabeth A. HarshReginald A. WilkinsonJames D. KlingbeilRobert H. SchottensteinHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic PartnershipsLewis Von Thaer, ChairReginald A. Wilkinson, Vice ChairAlexander R. FischerTanner R. HuntPhillip Popovich (faculty member)Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & GovernanceJohn W. Zeiger, ChairElizabeth P. Kessler, Vice ChairAbigail S. WexnerAlexander R. FischerGary R. HemingerLewis Von ThaerJeff M.S. KaplanTom B. MitevskiHiroyuki Fujita (Ex Officio)

Wexner Medical Center:Leslie H. Wexner, ChairAbigail S. WexnerAlan A. StockmeisterJohn W. ZeigerTom B. MitevskiTanner R. HuntStephen D. SteinourRobert H. SchottensteinW.G. JurgensenCindy HilsheimerAmy ChronisHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)Kristina M. Johnson (ex officio, voting)Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)Jay Anderson/Andrew Thomas (ex officio, voting)

Revisions to the rules of the Classified Civil Service approvedThe board approved revisions to certain chapters of the Ohio Administrative Code governing the universitys Classified Civil Service staff.

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As 2022-23 academic year begins, Ohio State's innovation continues hot streak - The Ohio State University News