The Board of Trustees approved a variety of items at its full board meeting today, including renaming the College of Osteopathic Medicine and starting a Master of Science in Geography program.
The newly renamed Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine received a $105-million gift from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations last month, which entitles the foundations to naming rights for the college.
When a “very large” gift is given to a college, naming rights are given to that organization; OU has seen this in the past with the Russ College of Engineering and the Scripps College of Communication, said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis.
The board also approved the creation of a Master of Science in Geography program, which must also be approved by the Ohio Board of Regents. However, it is estimated that the first class that may apply for the program will be in the fall of 2012 if the program is approved on the state level, Watts said.
The program will be run by the College of Arts and Sciences and will require no additional faculty, space or financial commitments, according to the resolution.
"It would have undergone intense review from the College of Arts and Sciences,” Watts said.
There are many reasons for the creation of a new program, including possible demand and financial viability, she added.
The board also approved a motion that would allow the OU airport to apply for and receive grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The board had to approve that authorization,” said Watts.
The grants might be used for a number of items, ranging from infrastructure to safety, she said.
Emeritus or emerita status was granted to 47 professors, which is a way to recognize those who showed exemplary service to OU, Watts said.
In order to become eligible for the distinction, a professor must be nominated, and then the nomination must be approved by his or her department director, their dean, the provost, the president and the Board of Trustees.
“It’s just a distinction of honor,” Watts said.
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