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Accomplishments, Concerns Covered at Campus Town Hall |
| By
Kimyette Finley |
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Oct 10, 2003 |
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| President Dan Johnson spoke at the Campus Town Hall Oct. 8. |
During the first Campus Town Hall of the academic year, President Dan Johnson said although there are issues that need to be addressed, the University has many accomplishments to be proud of. “Don’t lose sight of where we’re going,” he told the audience.
During the 45-minute meeting, Johnson highlighted successes such as the increase in sponsored-research dollars, the progress of the new technology corridor, the phone-a-thon staff setting a record, and UT’s recent beautiful campus designation. He also dealt with topics of concern, including the conditions of two UT students who were injured after a football game a few weeks ago, decreasing state support, and maintenance and building repairs.
Highlights included:
• The conditions of two UT students who were injured during the post-game celebration at the UT-Pitt football game on Sept. 20. Johnson said one student is making progress with physical therapy and is anxious to return to school, while the other student is continuing to improve. At future games, “we will not allow people to come onto the field. It will be a violation of University policy. If they do, they will be arrested.” Johnson said the steps were necessary to ensure student and spectator safety. There also will be additional signage, increased staffing and announcements at events. Johnson said he is proud of the student leaders’ efforts to increase awareness about safety and find appropriate ways to celebrate.
• Tuition refunds. Johnson said the decision to refund tuition to students taking 13 to 16 hours is based on a position that was taken by the Ohio Board of Regents after UT established its tuition for the 2003-04 academic year. “We did not take our position on this without consultation with the [OBOR] staff, as well as our own reading of the regulations.” If UT had continued the policy, it could have been out of compliance. Johnson said the impact of the decision is approximately $3.4 million for the fiscal year; UT’s Fiscal Advisory Committee is addressing the issue, and Johnson said the group is making good progress on identifying where the funding can come from. “We still have a gap to close, but I anticipate we will have a plan to present to the board very soon,” he said.
• Buildings and facilities management. Johnson said this is a problem across Ohio, and because of decreased support from the state, alternative funding needs to be found. He said the deferred maintenance issues are in the neighborhood of $250 million, including buildings that are already scheduled for renovations. William Decatur, senior vice president for finance, technology and operations, said some of the facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s are in need of updating and major renovations. He said a facility analysis has been done for every building, and a fiscal team is looking at strategies for funding new construction and renovations. The goal is to have a 10-year plan for space accommodation and capital repair replacement and reconstruction.
• Technology corridor. The idea takes the technology strengths of the area and seeks to establish partnerships that create synergy and capitalize on common expertise. Johnson said the concept is beginning to move forward from the conceptual level, and he was excited about the response from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Several area institutions have expressed an interest.
• Phone-a-thon accomplishment. “A few nights ago, the phone-a-thon staff raised the largest amount ever in a single night, $13,000. I’m encouraged because that number keeps going up, and people support the University,” Johnson said while congratulating their work. The students work throughout the year to raise funds for UT.
• Sponsored-research dollars. For the second year in a row, sponsored-research dollars at UT have reached an all-time high — about $27 million. Johnson said a few years ago, that number was around $15 million.
• Campus recognition. UT recently was named one of the U.S. schools with the “Most Beautiful Urban Campus” in the 2004 edition of The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges, published by Kaplan.
Johnson and Vern Snyder, vice president for institutional advancement, also discussed the capital campaign. “We have to begin thinking of our University as private universities think of their institutions and generate our own money to build our own case, while at the same time working closely with our legislators to maximize state support,” Johnson said. Campaign priorities are in the process of being established, and conversations have started with potential key donors. The campaign goal could be announced sometime next spring, and Johnson said the goal “should be as ambitious as we can possibly make it.” Snyder said the campaign would be looked at in a series of ranges.
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