By 1808Delaware; Governor Mike Dewine’s Office; Ohio State News
Governor Mike DeWine has named two Delaware residents to seats on The Ohio State University Board of Trustees — one a reappointment and the other for the first time.
Michael Kiggin of Powell has been reappointed to the Board of Trustees for a term beginning May 14, 2021 and ending May 13, 2030.
Tomislav B. Mitevski of Galena has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for a term beginning May 21, 2021 and ending May 13, 2030.
The Ohio State University is governed by a board of 17 governor-appointed trustees who are responsible for oversight of academic programs, budgets and general administration, and employment of faculty and staff.
On a related note, The Ohio State University remains on strong financial footing in the short- and long-term, officials told the Board of Trustees this past week.
The university spent tens of millions of dollars since March 2020 to combat COVID-19 on campus and faces revenue losses caused by the pandemic in areas including net tuition and fee revenue, auxiliary revenues and athletics. Yet, long-term, Ohio State is poised to rebound, university officials noted in an interim financial report covering July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2020.
The long-term picture is anchored by an increase of nearly $1.4 billion of investment income for Ohio State compared to the previous fiscal year.
The university plans to resume its Annual Merit Compensation Program for faculty and staff, in which eligible employees can receive an increase of up to 2% of their base salary.
The board also heard and approved proposed Tuition Guarantee rates for incoming first-year students. The university plans to increase tuition and fees for incoming Ohio freshmen by 3.8%, a $418 annual change from last year’s rate. This rate will be frozen for four years for these students – representing the sixth straight class of Ohio students to graduate with no tuition and fee increases.
Ohio State will remain the second most affordable for resident undergraduates among selective admission public universities in Ohio and at the median for in-state tuition and fees among public Big Ten schools.
University leadership also shared more plans on reactivating campus in the fall, centered on reinvigorating campus life because of the success of the COVID-19 vaccines. At least 75% of classes will be in person, and class size will be tiered, with classrooms with fewer than 50 students allowing full capacity.
Additionally, residence halls will revert to a more traditional setup, with visitors permitted, increased engagement and an estimated capacity of 15,200 students across campuses, up from 12,600 last academic year. Dining options will also expand, with more than double the amount of capacity for in-facility dining.
“Our plans are on track for a more-normal, in-person semester,” Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson told trustees on Thursday.
