OSU campus plans to reopen in fall
University set for ‘in-person experiences’
Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson announced at Thursday’s board of trustees meeting that the university’s intention is to reopen campuses for “safe and robust in-person experiences” this fall.
Johnson said the university is planning to expand in-person teaching, learning and student activities this fall with the approval of local, state and federal health authorities.
This expansion would also include increasing the number of students in residence halls, staff working on campus, in-person campus services and events, as well as fans attending Ohio State football games and other sporting events.
“We have learned from our success in keeping our campuses operating safely over the last six months, creating the opportunity to broaden face-to-face interactions for students, faculty and staff,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to welcome more Buckeyes back to our campuses in the fall, safely and in person.”
Bringing students back to campus was a topic of discussion in several board of trustees committees, which met virtually this week, culminating with a full board meeting Thursday afternoon.
Melissa Shivers, Ohio State’s senior vice president for student life, presented the Academic Affairs and Student Life committee Wednesday with her report “Out of Classroom Experience in a Post(-ish) COVID-19 World”.
In it, Shivers said that an in-person
experience is “the iconic Ohio State experience.” She noted that even though the goal is to return to the traditional college experience of being on campus, Shivers said that it's also important for the university to leverage and enhance the digital experience for students who can't attend in person.
Ohio State Provost Bruce A. Mcpheron said Wednesday that 49% of course sections were taught online during the fall semester, and that number increased to 54% for this current semester. In-person teaching remained about 30% for both. That's compared to 2019's fall semester when 91% of courses were taught in person and just 6% were online-only classes.
The university has conducted more than 400,000 student COVID-19 tests since the start of the academic year, and Johnson said positivity rates have consistently stayed below 0.5% for more than a month. Johnson said more details will be announced in the coming months as university leaders study the latest COVID-19 data. Ohio State will also develop contingency plans that account for a variety of possible scenarios, she said.
Here's a look at the board's actions:
Athletic pricing changes
The board approved changes to football ticket prices for the next two seasons , renewed men's basketball ticket prices for this season, and increased golf course membership dues and fees for this calendar year.
Football season ticket prices will stay the same for the 2021 season, but starting in 2022, Ohio Stadium will be divided into six different price zones and require annual seat contributions for a majority of its football season-ticket holders in five of the six zones.
Basketball ticket price zones and game designation were renewed and will remain the same as last season.
At Ohio State's golf course, the plan will allow the club to increase the initiation fee for new members from $1,000 to $3,000. The club has approximately 250 individuals on the waiting list. The initiation fee would not apply to students.
Two new committees
Two new trustees committees met this week for the first time: Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships committee and the Legal, Risk and Compliance committee.
The Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships committee will consider and discuss the university's research enterprise, corporate partnerships, innovation and technology commercialization; entrepreneurships and university enabled startups; and any other relevant policies.
Its creation falls in line with Johnson's promises to amp up Ohio State's support of research and researchers over the next decade.
“We have an opportunity with President Johnson and a change in administration to make a real difference,” Battelle CEO Lou von Thaer, chairman of the committee, said at its first meeting Wednesday. The Legal, Risk and Compliance committee will provide oversight on matters like potential and active litigation, risk management and monitoring compliance programs and activities. The committee discussed the university's use of CARES Act funding and prepared for upcoming audits related to its spending.
Emergency grading policies
The board approved a revision to the university's Emergency Pass Grade system. The rule change will alter the traditional grading system during exceptional circumstances, Mcpheron said Wednesday
in the Academic Affairs and Student Life committee. These circumstances are defined as “widespread circumstances outside the control of students and instructors that may adversely affect academic performance.”
The Emergency Pass Grade is designed to offer students greater flexibility and support. Students with low grades would be replaced with PE mark, allowing them to pass the class and not affect their GPA. When a student earns a PE mark, they will still receive credits toward graduation.
Mcpheron said the system will be employed this semester.
Posthumous degrees
The board awarded two posthumous degrees to students who recently died.
A master's in social work degree will be awarded to Victoria Strauss, an Ohio State graduate student who died in an accident in mid-january. Strauss, 23, had been found by a parking garage security guard with her head stuck between her vehicle and the exit toll booth of the garage.
The board also approved awarding a bachelor's of science degree to Justice Landers, 22, who died on Feb. 9. shendrix@dispatch.com @sheridan120