Editor's note: The following is the second in a three-part series examining students', faculty members' and classified employees' opinions of Vision Ohio.
Although many Ohio University faculty members are familiar with Vision Ohio, OU's comprehensive plan for the future, some are unsure of how the plan will eventually affect them.
An informal poll conducted by The Post revealed the majority of OU students surveyed were unfamiliar with the goals of Vision Ohio, the university's plan to enhance OU's national prominence and diversity, increase research initiatives and expand regional partnerships.
In random phone interviews conducted across campus departments and colleges during the past three weeks, six of 26 interviewed professors refused to comment on Vision Ohio, while the majority could identify aspects of the plan.
From what I understand of it is that it is a mission statement with a program of implementation to encourage top-notch research and to enhance the teaching program throughout all the disciplines
said Robin Jenkins, a visiting assistant professor in the department of African-American studies.
English professor Johnnie Wilcox accurately described the key components of Vision Ohio but said it will have a positive effect on certain areas and have a negative effect on certain areas.
As a faculty member I am concerned that the quality of my graduate students' education will suffer he said. I do believe that in the long term (the university) will benefit
but immediately there will be problems.
Vision Ohio's new budget model, which will determine a college's funding based on its past performance, has some professors concerned.
The reallocating of the budget will benefit departments that show measurable outputs, but it will be detrimental to departments that cannot have a metric system applied to it, said Dennis Ries, assistant professor in the department of hearing, speech and language sciences.
Daniel Carman, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, said he was jaded about Vision Ohio.
It seems like the administration folks are just trying to keep (themselves) employed by making radical changes
but my opinion could be based on my ignorance of administration needs
Carman said.
Robert Hays, associate professor of classics and world religions, compared Vision Ohio to the Soviet five-year plan
created by Soviet Russia to promote rapid economic development.
I'm kind of skeptical (about Vision Ohio)
but at the same time
it could turn out to be great
he said.
Christopher Moberg, associate professor of marketing, said he was optimistic about Vision Ohio.
The big picture is that Vision Ohio is the road map going from good to great
Moberg said. It's a living document
