Ohio University's Board of Trustees met last Friday, approving the school's budget for next year, increasing salaries and making changes to the sexual harassment policy.
At the meeting, the board approved a 2 percent increase in salaries for administrators, faculty and staff. Deborah McDavis, the president's wife, received the same raise. Her annual salary will increase from $25,000 per year to $25,500. Next school year, the board has the option to increase all salaries another 1 percent, said OU spokesman Jack Jeffery.
As of Friday, McDavis said the university's enrollment had increased by 367 students over last year, including 110 more minority -which the university defines as non-white -students.
The trustees also approved the beginning of construction on a new, $22.5 million alumni center. McDavis said the building, which would serve as a home to our alumni
would be located on the Hocking River, near the still-under-construction university center and the university's athletic buildings.
Also at the meeting, Provost Kathy Krendl gave an update of OU's freshman class profile. The 4,282-strong class is 47 percent male and 53 percent female; has an average ACT score of 23.3; and is in the 68th percentile of their high school class, she said.
Krendl also presented the board with the first draft of Vision Ohio the university's strategic plan.
Trustee Marnette Perry presented the board with changes to the university's sexual harassment policy. The new policy makes reporting mandatory and easier to record, she said.
Board chairman Robert Walter suggested the university look into creating an anonymous hotline for complaints. We really need that he said. That should be a high priority for us.
The board also elected a new chairman -R. Gregory Browning -who will move up to the position in the fall.
Final approval was given at the meeting to Wesam Construction Inc., to renovate the Mill Street Apartments. The lease will last 30 years with an option to extend it for 10 more years. Wesam would pay OU $300,000 initially, scheduled fixed payments thereafter and 10 percent of net operating income. The lease also requires that the apartments use OU's electric services.
According to the Current Funds Budget, the total expected revenue collected from the Athens campus for the 2005-2006 school year would be about $319 million. A shortfall of $7.2 million, compared to last year, is expected.
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Chuck Bowen
