As expected, the Ohio University Board of Trustees approved about 200 new or increased fees and a statement of expectations on board members' conduct Friday. The board also responded to a group of protesters.
Students, faculty and staff gathered outside the president's house Thursday while President Roderick McDavis hosted a dinner for board members. The protesters oppose the fee increases and the Statement of Expectations, which they view as a gag order.
Chairman of the Board C. Daniel DeLawder read one of the letters the group presented Thursday during Friday's full-board meeting. The letter called for more open communication between the board and the university, and criticized DeLawder specifically for a comment he made this summer about how it sickens him to think of the waste and unproductive time being spent in the name of open records and freedom of the press.
DeLawder said his quote was taken out of context in local news, and said he and the other board members believe strongly in free and open communication.
I appreciate the input. I believe strongly in the students' right to express their opinions
DeLawder said. We receive the input we hear it we understand it.
The other board members did not comment on the demonstration.
Later in the meeting, the trustees approved a series of fees, including additional course and technology fees, and a controversial Student Information System fee. OU applied for an exception to a state tuition freeze for the SIS fee because it would apply to all students. Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate recently voted to include referendums on the fee on their ballots May 14, but the university expects a response from the state in the coming days.
Trustee Charles Stuckey outlined the history of the fee increase and the need to update OU's network, warning we're out of time.
Larry Schey, chairman of the board's Resources Committee, suggested the university needs to do a better job explaining the benefits of the technology upgrade. Chief Information Officer Brice Bible said his office would begin more outreach this week.
The other issue before the board that upset some observers was the proposed Statement of Expectations, designating the chairman as the voice of the board. But the latest version relaxed several restrictions on speech, including a requirement that members should speak with a single voice and should defer comment without exception to the president or chairperson. The board passed draft seven Friday, and tried to clarify its intent.
This in no way gags other trustees - be they voting trustees or non-voting trustees - but the role of the chair is to speak about the action the board has just taken
trustee Gene Harris said.
Student trustee Tracy Kelly praised board members for their work and flexibility on the statement.
I think we have here a pretty progressive document
Kelly said.
The board also voted to make C. Robert Kidder chairman effective May 14. M. Marnette Perry, who was originally the frontrunner but backed out because of family commitments, will remain vice chairwoman for another year.
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Emily Grannis
