Ohio State trustees discontinue domestic-partner benefits

Board also moves to separate Pelotonia from university.

Ohio State’s Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved motions to discontinue benefits for employees’ domestic partners, legally separate Pelotonia from the university, and pursue purchasing the former Indianola Middle School.

Trustee Michael Gasser, who presented the Talent and Compensation Committee’s report to the board, said they had “recognized the complexities” of the benefits changes, but, ultimately, the committee passed the resolution without any changes.

Trustees also approved the separation of Pelotonia from the Ohio State Foundation.

Under this new system, Pelotonia will be a university-affiliated organization — legally separate but close in its mission. All funds generated by the organization will still go to cancer research at OSU.

The board also voted to allow administrators to take steps to purchase a 9.3-acre property at 420 E. 19th Ave., the former site of Indianola Middle School.

However, the sale also hinges on the Columbus Board of Education’s decision to either sell to an interested party, like OSU, or put the property up for auction.

The board also reviewed several construction projects that are either underway or about to start, including the partial replacement of Postle Hall, various hospital renovations and several enhancement to the university’s iconic Mirror Lake.

The enhancements, which will start late this summer, include the addition of several feet of vegetation around the pond and a quick-drain capability that would be able to fully drain the water in about 60 minutes.

The Master Facilities and Planning Committee postponed voting on enhancements to athletic facilities, including the addition of Wi-Fi to the Schottenstein Center and Ohio Stadium.

In his report to the board, OSU president Michael Drake formally announced Chris Holtmann as the university’s new basketball coach. Drake said he spoke to Holtmann Thursday night and looks forward to welcoming the university’s “newest Buckeye.”