Report to the Board of Trustees - Moving Our Institution Ahead

Report to the Board of Trustees – June 12, 2019

Thank you Chairman Gingo,

Budget

During the past academic year, all University units participated in the development of a comprehensive and inclusive Three-Year Action Plan.

The plan is intended to align University resources with our priorities, especially the top priorities, especially the top priorities of Increasing Success of Our Students, and Emphasizing Academic Distinctiveness.

It was understood from the beginning that the action plan would be used to guide the preparation of the 2019-2020 university budget.

Today I am pleased to report that we achieved this goal, with the active involvement and cooperation of the deans and vice presidents, and in consultation with the University Council.

Later this morning, Chief Financial Officer Nathan Mortimer will give a presentation on the budget.

In all candor, this is a challenging budget characterized by tough choices.

As promised, all elements of the University participated in these tough decisions.

This budget takes a large step toward stable and sustainable university finances.

As part of this plan, we will continue to invest in key faculty positions, and conduct dean searches to solidify the leadership in our colleges of business, education and health professions.

As this Board considers the adoption of the budget proposals, I would remind everyone that this is a continuing process, an annual exercise of shared governance, assessment and priority setting.

This fall we will continue this shared governance process, as we collectively and collaboratively revise the action plan to maintain its alignment with the priorities of the institution.

This budget that is being considered today is a point on a continuum.

The Action Plan informed our budget decisions, and the budget will produce results that enable us to further refine the action plan.

This continuing process will enable us to focus plans, adjust to changes in circumstances, and move our institution ahead in the years to come.

Free Speech Resolution

At this time I want to congratulate the Faculty Senate, University Council and this Board on supporting a resolution affirming the policy statement of the Committee for Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago.

This model has been adopted by universities around the country to affirm free speech and academic freedom.

There are two aspects of this topic that I would like to highlight.

The first is that this is a faculty-initiated action that demonstrates our strong support for the constitutional right to free speech, and for our institutional culture and policy of academic freedom.

The second point is more subtle, but equally important.

Some wonder if this action is necessary since our campus has not experienced the kind of challenges to free speech or academic freedom that have occurred at other places across the country.

I believe the comparative calm on our campus speaks highly of the character of University of Akron students, faculty and staff.

Many of them, I assure you, are passionate in their beliefs concerning politics, social justice and related issues.

But they also seem grounded in an understanding and appreciation of the importance of free speech for all.

I am grateful and proud to be associated with students and colleagues who are so committed to this great principle that they ensured its preservation on our campus with the promotion and passage of this resolution.

Career Placement

An interesting statistic has come to light that I would like to share with you.

Graduation rates are often cited as a measure of a University’s effectiveness.

But an, equally, and perhaps far more practical measure is what happens to our graduates after they pack away their cap and gown.

According to surveys conducted by the Office of Career Services, 92% of our 2018 graduates found employment or continued their education within 6 months of graduation.

Let me repeat that: 92% that’s better than 9 out of 10, of our graduates were employed or continuing their education six months after graduation.

That is a 3 percentage-point increase over the previous year.

It also is well above the national rate of 81% job placement 6 months after graduation.

These statistics, perhaps more than any other, are a fine testament to the quality of our graduates, and the education delivered by our faculty.

Residence Life Award

I also want to share my congratulations to Dr. John Messina and his colleagues in the Office of Student Affairs, and the student leaders who work in residential life.

The University of Akron was named the 2019 National School of the Year by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls at its national conference last month.

This is the third time that The University of Akron has won this honor, with previous accolades coming in 2000 and 1992.

The award recognizes outstanding campus achievements by a residence hall organization & its affiliate groups, as well as contributions on a regional and national level to the organization.

Other national nominees were Columbia University, New York University and North Carolina State.

To be listed among such company is an honor in itself, and to be chosen as the best among them. This is indeed a great achievement.

Ohio Highway Patrol

I, along with Board Chair Gingo and Trustee Adkins, had the pleasure of being part of yesterday’s welcoming ceremony for the Ohio State Highway Patrol post on our campus, located on Fir Hill Drive. It was wonderful to have Thomas Stickrath, the director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, OSHP Colonel Richard Fambro and Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro at the ceremony as well.

Having the Highway Patrol located in a building on our campus is unique in the State of Ohio and the partnership provides benefits to the campus, the city, the county in terms of safety and protection for the entire community. Special thanks to Nathan Mortimer for his leadership in coordinating this valuable arrangement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would like to invite Ms. Heather Pollock, our education abroad coordinator, to come forward and give a presentation on the University’s study abroad program.