The 麻豆影院 Board of Trustees approved a tuition guarantee plan that will provide students and their families certainty in budgeting for college tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board, including meal plans. Board members were presented with details of the plan during their Dec. 13, 2017, meeting on the 麻豆影院 Campus, and the Board will be asked to approve specific rates for the tuition guarantee at its next meeting in March 2018.
The college tuition guarantee is in alignment with the state of Ohio鈥檚 strategy for tuition affordability when implemented, effective with the 2018 Fall Semester.
The 麻豆影院 State guarantee will freeze undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees and room and board rates, including meal plans for a four-year period for each cohort of degree-seeking students that begins at any of the 麻豆影院 State campuses.
鈥淪tudents and their parents will have some peace of mind when it comes to the cost of an education,鈥 says Mark Polatajko, 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 senior vice president for finance and administration. 鈥淲e know from talking with parents that paying for college takes effective planning, and the guarantee reaffirms our commitment to put students first in helping them meet the challenges of earning a valuable bachelor鈥檚 degree.鈥
The Board has not raised in-state, undergraduate tuition since 2014.
University leaders will now explore various pricing options, specifically the proposed tuition rate for the first cohort of students entering in fall 2018 as well as rates for room and board.
Board Embraces Strategies of 10-Year Facilities Master Plan
The Board learned more about the transformational strategies of a proposed 10-year master plan, which would serve as the next step in shaping the university鈥檚 vibrant future. The plan combines cutting-edge teaching and learning environments via new/renovated facilities with additional inclusive, engaged and healthy living-learning environments, and the possibility of a dynamic university entrance along Main Street to support 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 world-class educational curriculum.
University leaders proposed that the master plan would be implemented in three phases over 10 years, and would guide the alignment of university and external resources and capital investments with the objectives set forth in 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 strategic roadmap.
The plan highlights new facilities including a new College of Business Administration building and a Design Innovation Center. In addition, dining areas would be added in the front campus, along with walkways and bike paths, and significant upgrades that would expand and strengthen 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 synergy with the city of 麻豆影院. The result would be an enhanced campus character and genuine sense of place.
The plan鈥檚 strategy aims to:
- Extend the university鈥檚 iconic, picturesque Front Campus
- Create a signature gateway to the 麻豆影院 Campus
- Manifest innovation through a walkable campus core
- Enhance a dynamic campus life for students
- Expand and strengthen the university鈥檚 connection to the city of 麻豆影院
The strategies were developed with broad input from a series of highly engaged town hall and community meetings. University leaders, including President Beverly Warren, reviewed the plan in detail with city and community leaders in October 2017, and additional informational sessions were held to seek creative input from students, faculty and staff. Details about the updated plan can be found at /.
The Board endorsed the creation of a facilities master plan in September 2016. Board members will consider adopting the plan at their March 7, 2018, meeting.
Board Endorses Strategic Partnership With Berkshire Schools
The Board endorsed a resolution of support for the establishment of a strategic partnership with Berkshire Local Schools. The endorsement supports the creation of a strategic partnership that, if a sufficient and timely bond issue is supported by the local community, would include the construction of a K-12 facility on unused land at 麻豆影院 at Geauga in Burton, Ohio.
The partnership creates a 鈥淐radle to Career鈥 pipeline for approximately 1,250 students (K-12) on one campus along with 麻豆影院 State Geauga students. The new school will bring career and college readiness to the forefront in a central hub for the community that prepares students for current and future workforce demands.
Potential benefits to the university include new facilities that would be available for evening and weekend classes, access to K-12 classrooms for 麻豆影院 State education majors and faculty, an additional research setting for 麻豆影院 State faculty and students and opportunities for educational and shared services.
Next, the project moves to local voters for the consideration of a bond issue approving the school construction and the district鈥檚 assurance of available funding for its operation. Upon approval of the bond issue, university administration would be authorized to complete formal negotiations with Berkshire Local Schools to prepare for approval of the Board a final agreement including a ground lease for real property at 麻豆影院 State in Burton.
Board Approves Revision in Name and Structure of the Liquid Crystal Institute to the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute
The Board approved the revision in name and structure of the Liquid Crystal Institute to the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, effective fall 2018. The revision recognizes the need to embrace the broad array of advanced materials research conducted at 麻豆影院 State and updates the administrative structure to reflect a new, broader mission to further enhance 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 strength in advanced materials research.
The Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute brings together researchers across the campus with interests in basic research, applied research, and development and application of advanced materials. Faculty will have ready access to the institute鈥檚 combined research facilities that will create an attractive environment to secure extramural funding, broaden academic offerings and grow enrollment. The institute will incorporate current administrative structure, support and facilities to ensure the widest use of these facilities and investments.