51ĀŅĀ×

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OHIO Board of Trustees to learn about the FY26 focus areas for year two of the Dynamic Strategy Plan during August meetings

The 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees will learn about the FY26 focus areas for year two of the Dynamic Strategy plan, as well as receive an update on capital projects during meetings on Wednesday, Aug. 6, on the Athens campus.

Additionally, the Board will be presented with a resolution to approve the recommendation to award the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters with Distinction in Scientific Exploration to alumnus Larry Connor for his remarkable contributions to scientific exploration, spaceflight, deep-sea research, aviation, and philanthropy.

Committee meetings will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, in Walter Hall 104 and conclude around 5:10 p.m., with the main board meeting beginning around 5:30 p.m. The complete schedule and agenda for the August meetings, as well as a link to the livestream, is available online at ohio.edu/trustees. &²Ō²ś²õ±č;

Additional agenda items from the Board of Trustees’ August meetings are anticipated to include: 

Dynamic Strategy Year Two Plan
51ĀŅĀ× and Student Success Committee, 4:35 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, Walter Hall 104 
 
The chairs of each of the Dynamic Strategy Executive Leadership Teams, Executive Vice President and Provost Donald Leo, Vice President for University Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver, Vice President of Research and Creative Activity Eric Muth and Vice President of Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles, will go over select activities planned for FY26 to move the Dynamic Strategy plan further forward into year two.

Quasi-Endowment - Proctorville Fund for Scholarships and Training
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 5:05 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, Walter Hall 104 

Vice President for Finance and Administration David Moore will present to the Board a request from Regional Higher Education to establish one University quasi-endowment. At the April 2023 meeting, the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees declared the Proctorville Center Property to be surplus property. The property was subsequently sold for over $1.3 million. Moore will share how executive staff recommend using the sale proceeds to establish a quasi-endowment that would provide a perpetual income stream in support of several scholarships and grants to Proctorville area students and teachers.

Capital Projects
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 5:05 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, Walter Hall 104 

The Board will consider several new capital projects, including: 

  • Marching 110 Practice Field- The Board will consider a resolution to approve $2.97 million to develop the Marching 110 practice field, including putting in an artificial turf field, restroom facilities, a covered pavilion, director’s tower and field lighting. The Board has already approved $525,000 of this $3.5 million project that will be funded with gift funding.
  • West Green Chilled Water Plant Upgrade – The Board will consider a resolution to approve rebuilding the existing cooling towers, installing new variable frequency drives (VFDs) to improve energy efficiency and control and replacing the unit substation to enhance electrical reliability and capacity at the West Green Chilled Water Plant to ensure continued delivery of chilled water service for campus cooling needs. The project will also replace Chiller 3 with a new 2,500-ton unit and ensure full integration with existing chilled water systems and campus infrastructure. This $5.3 million project will be funded with deferred maintenance century bond funding.
  • Gordy Hall Envelope and Chilled Water Tie-in – The Board will consider a resolution to approve replacing the roof on the original (pre-1996) section of Gordy Hall, repairing surrounding parapet walls and replacing windows, addressing critical building infrastructure needs to extend facility life, improve energy efficiency and enhance occupant comfort. It also ties the building into the campus chilled water system and removes the failing rooftop chiller, improving system reliability and operational control through upgraded equipment and utility integration. This$4.5 million project will be funded with deferred maintenance century bond funding.
  • Annual Campus Steam Repairs 2026 – The Board will consider a resolution address campus steam distribution and tunnel improvements as identified through the annual tunnel assessment, prioritizing repairs that will be completed in coordination with the summer campus steam outage. This $1 million project will be funded with deferred maintenance century bond funding.
Published
July 30, 2025
Author
Staff reports