51ÂÒÂ×

The 51ÂÒÂ× Board of Trustees will learn more about how recent programmatic expansions in nursing across OHIO’s regional campuses are continuing to positively impact the state’s workforce development needs and further support local communities; Vice President of Finance & Administration, CFO, and Treasurer David Moore will also present the Board with an update regarding the preliminary FY 2025 financial results during meetings on Thursday, Oct. 16, and Friday, Oct. 17, on the Athens campus.

Additionally, the Board will receive a faculty spotlight from the College of Business that will highlight Dr. Luke Pittaway, the Copeland Professor of Entrepreneurship, who will present an overview of his research in entrepreneurship education, learning and corporate venturing.

Committee meetings will begin at approximately 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, in Walter Hall 104 and conclude around 3:30 p.m. Committee meetings will resume on Friday, Oct. 17, at approximately 9 a.m., with the main Board meeting beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. The complete schedule and agenda for the October meetings, including links to meeting livestreams for both days, is available online at ohio.edu/trustees. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

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

Regional Higher Education Update - Nursing Expansion
51ÂÒÂ× and Student Success Committee, 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, Walter Hall 104 

Executive Vice President and Provost Donald J. Leo and Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education and Partnerships Lewatis McNeal will present to the Board an overview of OHIO’s regional campuses, highlighting numerous points of pride, including how its nursing programs are supporting workforce and community needs and share how transformational gifts in nursing have changed the teaching landscape and student career opportunities at two regional campuses.

They will also provide information on planning for regional campus anniversary milestones in 2026, highlight enrollment stability and detail successful examples of regional campus programming that’s placing students at the vital intersection of their peers, the community and the workforce.

Enrollment and Retention Update
51ÂÒÂ× and Student Success Committee, 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, Walter Hall 104

Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger will share with the Board an update on preliminary census enrollment for fall 2025 across 51ÂÒÂ×’s campuses, centers and modalities. The presentation also will feature a discussion of OHIO’s recent success in first-year retention and the drivers of that success. She will share how OHIO’s headcount enrollment totaled 30,692, a 3.6% increase from fall 2024 preliminary census enrollment, as well as how the Athens campus welcomed another record entering first-year class.

Boeninger will also share how preliminary enrollment growth this fall has been supported not only by new students, but also by continued year-over-year improvement in retention for Athens and the regional campuses, gains in online undergraduate and graduate enrollment, steady medical enrollment and modest gains in graduate enrollment, including enrollment increases in doctoral programs in the University’s focused areas of research.

Student Affairs Spotlight
51ÂÒÂ× and Student Success Committee, 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, Walter Hall 104

Vice President for Student Affairs Lyn Redington will present to the Board on new and exciting division initiatives, including updates to Bobcat Student Orientation and recent student engagement efforts.

The Board will also hear from John McCarthy, Mark Ferguson and Hali Burleson on OHIO’s designation as a JED Campus, a campus-wide initiative aimed at strengthening mental health services, suicide prevention and overall student well-being.

They will present a review of the progress in year one of the four-year JED campus program, including results from the baseline assessment, the Healthy Minds Study, strategic planning efforts and a summary of implementation efforts heading into the program’s second year.

Student Investment Group Presentation
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, Walter Hall 104

Chief Investment Officer for the 51ÂÒÂ× Foundation David Gaume and Associate Professor of Finance David Stowe will update the Board on the performance and progress of the OHIO’s Student Investment Programs.

They will share how the two 51ÂÒÂ× student organizations, the Student Equity Management Group (SEMG) and the Fixed Income Management Group (FIMG), manage $14.0 million of the University's long-term working capital pool, allowing students to gain a unique and industry-leading learning experience that will prepare them to be competitive in the job market.

Capital Projects
Resources, Facilities, and Affordability Committee, 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, Walter Hall 104 

The Board will consider several new capital projects, including:

• Glidden Hall HVAC and Controls Replacement – The Board will consider a resolution to approve a $6 million project to replace two outdated air handling units and retrofit select HVAC controls throughout the building with a modern direct digital control (DDC) system. The project also includes targeted acoustical panel installations in specific areas of the building. The project is anticipated to be funded with Century Bond funding and State Capital Appropriations.
• Shively Dining Hall Roof Replacement – The Board will consider a resolution to approve a $876,000 project to replace the aging flat roof on Shively Dining Hall. The project is anticipated to be funded with departmental reserves.
• Bentley Annex, Lindley Dormers, USC Flat Roof Replacements – The Board will consider a resolution to approve a $810,000 project to replace small flat roof sections at the University Service Center and Bentley Annex, and repair dormer roofs at Lindley Hall. The project will address deferred maintenance needs and extend the service life of multiple campus buildings. The project is anticipated to be funded with Century Bond funding.