With Ohio University’s budget going through major transitions, Faculty Senate plans to try and clear the confusion next week.
Michael Angelini, associate vice president for finance, and John Gilliom, Faculty Senate’s Finance and Facilities Committee chair, will host a Brown Bag Lunch session at noon Tuesday for anyone with questions relating to OU’s debt plan, investment strategies and the Capital Improvement Plan.
Gilliom said the idea originated from senators’ ongoing questions from Faculty Senate’s January meeting when OU President Roderick McDavis presented about the long-term Capital Improvement Plan and the risks with the debt.
“(The lunch is) intended to be a small informal get-together for members of the finance committee and Faculty Senate to get a shared perspective on the issues,” Gilliom said.
Gilliom said the senate wanted to have a conversation when there isn’t a particular issue or concern at the forefront but rather time to share information and give senate a better understanding of what is going on at OU.
The biggest confusion has come from the switch of major budget cuts last year to major investments this year and how the two fit together, he said.
Joe McLaughlin, Faculty Senate chairman, said he believes it will be an informational session offering a chance for senators’ questions to be answered.
“We have full agendas at our meetings but want to have an opportunity for senators to sit down and have a better understanding of the plan,” he said.
The event is open to all faculty members but was primarily organized for senators.
Gilliom said he expects the discussion to be primarily informal with the majority of time being spent on open Q&A, focusing on a broader long-term financial planning for OU.
Angelini will be leading the discussion, beginning with a presentation.
“It’s essentially a discussion regarding the University’s financial condition as implementation of the recently (Board of Trustees) approved six-year capital plan begins,” Angelini said in an email.
If the lunch is a success, Gilliom said he would not be opposed to organizing more during Spring Quarter.
“We want to take a look at the big picture so people have a better sense of what is going on,” Gilliom said.
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