ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio - The Ohio University Board of Trustees Governance Committee heard another report on the pros and cons of adding at least one faculty member to the board in a non-voting role yesterday.
Faculty Senate Vice Chair David Thomas presented a report to the board for the third time about including faculty representation. Although a faculty trustee would not vote, Thomas said, his talks with other schools suggest the move would help improve communication between the two groups.
One person mentioned walking in a hallway with a trustee and clearing up a misunderstanding. That's enormously important going into meetings
he said.
Thomas suggested that President Roderick McDavis appoint non-voting faculty trustees with the board. Faculty could also be selected as representatives with voice for board committees, but the nomination process is yet undecided. Representatives with voice would not be included in executive session unless invited by the board chair.
Thomas interviewed administrators from 10 out of the 40 schools he surveyed. Of the 10 schools, five had faculty representation, while five did not. The University of Toledo and Cleveland State University were among the schools that included representation, while Miami University
and Ohio State University occupied places on the other list.
The report also noted concerns from the administrators, such as the importance of choosing the right faculty members and the potential for faculty trustees to lobby board members.
Questions concerning the length and limit of terms remain. Thomas proposed either having one representative with one-term of three years, one representative with a possible two terms limited to two years, or two members with one of each. Whether the faculty can serve two consecutive terms is a question as well.
Currently, board outreach includes various annual meetings with faculty senate as well as occasional visits to OU campuses.
Trustee Sandra Anderson said she would likely vote in favor of the addition.
I'm perfectly willing as one non-voting member to have another member sit at the table and pass notes and bubble gum with me she said.
Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl said other administrators expressed positive views and called the idea productive.
Whatever model is in place execution is key
said Becky Watts, chief of staff for President Roderick McDavis.
Thomas said he will make changes to his proposal for the April board meeting.
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Ryan Dunn
