Ohio State’s Board of Trustees is meeting November 19-21. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Managing Editor for Multimedia
Statements from victims of former university physician Dr. Richard Strauss, the approval of recently filled positions, a change in golf course fees, the maintenance of football ticket prices and a new greenhouse will be among the issues on the docket at the November Ohio State Board of Trustees meetings this week.
The Board and its committees are scheduled for 10 and a half hours total in executive session, which is not open to the public.
Wexner Medical Center Board
The Wexner Medical Center Board will receive an update on the medical center’s efforts to reduce the infant mortality rates in Franklin County on Wednesday, according to meeting materials.
The materials show that the Board will also vote to approve construction project and professional services funding, including a $500,000 loading dock renovation, $2-million renovation of Lincoln Tower offices, $29.2 million for an inpatient hospital and $20.2 million for an ambulatory facility.
The Board is also being asked to approve the purchase of a $43 million piece of land and building it has been leasing since 2008. The property is currently occupied by the medical center and located in the southwest portion of Gowdy Field on Olentangy River Road, just south of the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, according to the materials.
Talent, Compensation and Governance Committee
The Talent and Compensation Committee will receive Ohio State’s 2019-24 Wellness Strategic Plan. The plan includes four goals: improve participation in programming and interventions for faculty, staff and students; implement evidence-based practices to “decrease prevalence of chronic illnesses and reduce health risks”; strengthen the wellness culture and environment at Ohio State; and position the university as a national and international leader in wellness, according to the materials.
The Committee will also vote on Anne Garcia’s appointment as the university’s interim vice president and general counsel in light of Christopher Culley’s departure and Melissa Shivers as vice president for student life to replace Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston.
Academic Affairs, Student Life and Research Committee
The Academic Affairs, Student Life and Research Committee will vote Wednesday on a proposal for the creation of a new master’s program in translational data analytics, which will consist of 33 credit hours with “foundational courses, core courses in data design and visualization, a two-semester capstone sequence emphasizing experiential learning, and three multidisciplinary seminars on data management, research methods, and professional development,” according to the meeting materials.
Master Planning and Facilities Committee
The Master Planning and Facilities Committee will receive an update Thursday on the university’s Zero Waste Initiative, in which Ohio Stadium has been ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten for its diversion rate for the past seven years, according to the materials.
The committee will also vote on a $35 million agriculture campus greenhouse project and the purchase of a $950,000 property on Highland Street between 10th and 11th avenues. According to the documents, the purchase of the apartment building is the last parcel purchase needed to complete an entire block.
Audit and Compliance Committee
According to Audit and Compliance Committee meeting materials, the Board will vote on a change in university golf course fees. For the 2020 calendar year, the Board will consider an 8 percent increase in fees for alumni, faculty and staff and a 2.7 percent increase for students.
The materials also indicate that 2020 football ticket prices will stay the same, following Board approval. Student ticket prices have been the same since the 2013 season — $34 per game — and season ticket pricing would be the same as the 2019 season. The 15 percent off aggregate individual pricing season ticket discounts for the public and the 20 percent off discount for faculty and staff would also remain the same.
Full Board
Victims of former university physician Richard Strauss will give a statement at the full Board of Trustees meeting Thursday following requests from several of the victims.
The three Strauss victims who sent requests to the Board said in their request that they wish to provide an update on “the daily injury victims continue to suffer.” The Board will not engage in a dialogue, Board Secretary Jessica Eveland said in an email response to the request.
Strauss was the team doctor for 17 men’s varsity sports and a physician at the Ohio State Student Wellness Center from 1978 to ’98, during which time he abused at least 177 students and student-athletes, according to a report released in May, following an investigation conducted by Perkins Coie, LLP. The investigation also found that Ohio State failed to act on Strauss’ abuse at the time.
Ohio State’s latest count, according to an Oct. 1 press release, includes nearly 1,500 instances of Strauss-related abuse. At least 14 Strauss-related lawsuits have been filed against the university.
Strauss died by suicide in 2005.
