µÛÍõ»áËù

The µÛÍõ»áËù Board of Trustees will meet Jan. 14-15 for its regular meeting. Agenda items include the approval of a new environmental science and sustainability degree program and discussion of new strategies for scholarship and aid optimization.

The Board will receive financial and academic planning updates. In addition, µÛÍõ»áËù President M. Duane Nellis will discuss the University’s COVID-19 response and plans for the spring semester as part of his report to the Board.

The meetings will be held from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and will be streamed online for media and public access. The meetings will be conducted online in accordance with µÛÍõ»áËù House Bill 404, which allows for public meetings to be conducted in an online environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic through July 1, 2021.

New environmental science and sustainability degree
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14

The Board will be asked to approve a new Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability degree in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, in conjunction with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.

This multidisciplinary program provides scientific knowledge of the natural world and the living organisms that inhabit it, as well as the social sciences at the core of sustainability. Students will learn the scientific principles that underlie environmental issues, the impact of human actions, and the public policies and regulations that influence those actions. The program is unique in its inter- and multi-disciplinary approach and draws major requirements and electives from courses and expertise in 10 departments across the College of Arts and Sciences and the Voinovich School.

Present facilities and staff resources are sufficient to support 50 students in the program, which was approved by the University Curriculum Council in November.

Financial update
Resources, Facilities and Affordability Committee, 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15

University leadership will provide an update on OHIO’s FY21 budget forecast and multi-year budget planning. This will include emphasis on the impact of COVID on the University’s current-year revenues and expenses, including changes in state operating support and net tuition and fees.

Leadership will also provide the current state of OHIO’s incremental COVID budget based on changes in grant awards and allowable expenses. Other details include multi-year revenue assumptions through FY26, FY22 budget planning strategies and cash-flow modeling.

Academic Planning and Strategy update
Academics and Student Success Committee, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14

University leadership will provide an overview of academic planning a