Members of Ohio University’s administration and faculty gathered in Baker University Center Theater on April 9 for an hour-long University Update meeting focused on the university’s dynamic strategy, finances and state policy.
The meeting will be the last University Updates session until this fall.
The four administrators who spoke at the event were Vice President of University Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver, Executive Vice President and Provost Donald Leo, Vice President of Finance and Administration David B. Moore and Executive Director of Government Regulations Eric Burchard.
President Lori Stewart Gonzalez attended but did not speak until the close of the meeting.
Oliver and Leo opened the session with an update on the university’s dynamic strategy, now in its second year since Gonzalez took office. The plan is structured around four pillars: “learn,” “discover,” “engage” and “work.”
Leo outlined progress within each pillar. Under “learn”, the university has advanced its “T1/R1” initiative, introduced a faculty certificate for experiential learning and continued to grow experiential learning opportunities.
Within “discover,” the university has developed research infrastructure, launched the first cohort of a faculty hiring initiative and advanced the aviation plan.
The “engage” pillar included the launch of the Center for Community Impact and the introduction of spring learning communities with alumni mentors.
Under “work,” the university introduced the Bobcat Beyond Recognition program and professional development opportunities for employees.
Leo also outlined key questions the university is exploring for years four through year six of the strategy, including how changes in higher education may shape the university’s direction and what steps are needed to reach long-term goals.
Moore followed with an overview of the university finances, including the six-year capital improvement plan. The plan addresses financial analytics, programmatic needs, deferred maintenance and life cycle renewal.
Moore also presented the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which totals $968.4 million with revenues and expenses.
Burchard then discussed the university’s relationship with the state, noting how campus land and buildings are state assets and eligible for capital budget funding.
He cautioned that such funding is not guaranteed, as the Ohio legislature and governor are not constitutionally required to pass the state capital budget.
Burchard also addressed House Bill 698, known as the Senate Bill One Compliance Act, which, if passed, will pull funding from universities not in compliance with SB 1.
“It mandates institutions to develop a list of all its former DEI employees who were reassigned,” Burchard said. “The bill permits the chancellor’s state to audit an institution to validate its compliance.”
Gonzalez closed the meeting by thanking attendees and noting the success of Giving Day on April 8, which raised approximately $1.1 million across campus initiatives.
