President's Report
I. Celebrating 50 Years of Service to Ohio State Graduate Students 2005-06
During this academic year, CGS is celebrating its Golden Anniversary. Although plans are pending, we are looking at several ways to celebrate, I am sure, CGS is one of the oldest student governance organizations in the country--if not THE oldest. Anyone who would like to work volunteer to serve or assist a special ad hoc committee I have established, please let Patty Cunningham(.212), Chair-Events; Briggs Cormier(.5), President Emeritus; Rob Crawford(.221), Chair-PR as soon as possible.
II. Seeking Graduate Students to Profile
As part of the 50th celebration and as a special presentation to the Board of Trustees on Friday, Nov. 4th, we want to begin featuring graduate students involved in a variety of research areas and who may perform service within the OSU community. Please send to me (pletz.3) any suggestions as soon as possible as we need to locate the students, take their photos and obtain brief bios.
III. News from the Various Councils
Faculty Council passed an ethics resolution at a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 27th that will be presented to the Board of Trustees in the near future.
For those in Education, I serve on the College Council and I and Interim Dean David Andrews recently discussed the proposal to merge the College of Human Ecology and the COllege of Education. Dean Andrews is seeking feedback from various stakeholders in BOTH colleges including students, staff, faculty and alumni and their opinions about the proposed merger. According to Dean Andrews, if the feedback is favorable, then it will be put forth before the Council of Academic Affairs (CAA) sometime in January; assured by Vice Provost Smith the plan will be put on the "fast track" with approval/disapproval coming from CAA by March. Having served on CAA and despite the intent to move through the OAA process quickly, I still question it will move that fast.
Dean Richard Freeman came and spoke before the Steering Committee of University Senate regarding the so-called Freeman Report. Both the Freeman Committee and the University's Senate Fiscal Committee agreed that OSU must have "outstanding doctoral programs." Both committees agreed on six major points: "1) doctoral program quality varies considerably; 2) doctoral programs must be assessed on a regular cycle; 3) our productivity in terms of doctoral and masters degrees is low compared to peers [institutions]; 4) the current budget model processes and review can produce adjustments that align resources with doctoral program quality; and 6) there may be funds within the Graduate School and from the Board of Regents that might be used to begin aligning quality with funding." (Cover Letter from Barbara Snyder to Members of the University Community, September 13, 2005.) This report has implications particularly to funded doctoral students so we will be continuing to monitor this situation.
Dean Paul Beck who is chairing the Beck Committee regarding the Graduate School told me its structure will remain basically as is: there will be a dean of the graduate who will continue to report to the provost. More will be coming out shortly from the Beck Committee and graduate student, Kerry Hodak, will keep us informed.
IV. Selective Investment in Excellence
A major aspect that came out of the President's leadership conference I participated in last summer, was Ohio State's commitment to selectively invest in certain programs. (See the handouts posted online.) The question is: How do we take OSU's limited financial resources and get certain departments/programs to be the best in the country and even the world?" At the leadership meeting, the deans were charged, over the next several months, to identify programs, departments, etc., that would have the greatest impact on the university. The deans could select those within college and programs; interdisciplinary; can be re-funded through the next five years; may include programs not even in existence; those that were under-utilized or be cutting edge. The criteria for deciding those to be funded are excellence and impact on academic stature but would also look on feasibility--can it be accomplished within five years; and cost. The deans' reports are due soon and we will meet again on January 17th to hear their decisions/plans.
V. Congratulations to Vice President & Treasurer Emeritus, Kerry Hodak
On a personal note, I hope you will join me in congratulating Kerry Hodak who passed the Ohio Bar Exam and will be sworn in on November 7th, 2005. As many of you know, Kerry has juggled the rigorous demands of a joint JD/Phd while participating in CGS work. After successfully graduating from law school in 2003, Kerry continues to work many hours for CGS while taking doctoral coursework and is graduate teaching assistant in the political science department. Congratulations Kerry...now about that pro bono work I need! ;)