Dave Knapp, Director
The Policy Group
Ohio Union, Room 201
1739 N High St
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-2101
Policy Report
Week of November 7, 2005
General Meeting: Monday, 9:00PM
Location: Undergraduate Student Government Office
Members present: Michael Braunlin, Darren Cross, Kyle Dolan, Ashley Dyckson, Chris Dyer, Mary Estock
(Intern), Wendell Gingerich, Megan Hartman, Mike Hemmelgarn, David Knapp, Ramzy Mardini, Jon
McCann (Intern), Dominique Pierson, Danielle Smith, Brian Rothenberg, Travis Shaul, Sarah Snyder, Andy
Schreiber, Debra Van Camp (Intern), Ben Watson, Ian Young
Visitors: Mike Noon, Matt Dodovich, Eric Samuels, Rukku Singla
Internal Issues
I-1
I-2
I-3
I-4
I-5
I-6
I-7
I-8
Elections Reform
Project Manager: Kyle Fox
Senate Liaison(s): Ajmerie Hoque,
Patrick Sprinkle
USG Bylaw Reform – Deferred to WI06
Project Manager: Unassigned
Senate Liaison(s): Nick Benson
Student Communication Survey
Project Manager: Wendell Gingerich
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
Academic Enrichment Grants
Project Manager: Kyle Fox
Senate Liaison(s): None
Online Polls
Project Manager: Wendell Gingerich
Senate Liaison(s): None
Ohio Senate Bill 168 - Completed
Project Manager: David Knapp
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
USG Ethics Review
Project Manager: Sarah Snyder
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich &
Igor Brin
USG Assessment
Project Manager: Wendell Gingerich
Senate Liaison(s): None
External Issues
E-1
Textbook Prices - Closed
Project Manager: Chris Dyer
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
E-2
Departmental Policy Groups
Project Manager: Brian Rothenberg
Senate Liaison(s): None
E-3
Survey Classes
Project Manager: Dominique Pierson
Senate Liaison(s): Mike Noon
E-4
Tuition Reform
Project Manager: David Knapp
Senate Liaison(s): None
E-5
Honors Program
Project Manager: Unassigned
Senate Liaison(s): Brad Reed,
Steven Knoepfler
E-6
General Education Curriculum
Project Manager: Unassigned
Senate Liaison(s): Steven Knoepfler
E-7
Transcript Costs
Project Manager: David Knapp
Senate Liaison(s): Igor Brin
E-8
Recycled Paper
Project Manager: Travis Shaul
Senate Liaison(s): Charlene Chi
E-9
Music Advanced Placement and Credit
Project Manager: Ian Young
Senate Liaison(s): Elaine Yeh
E-10
E-11
E-12
E-13
E-14
E-15
E-16
E-17
E-18
Economic Benefits Assessment
Project Manager: Corey Dickey
Senate Liaison(s): Kyle Fogt
Student Printing Fee
Project Manager: Danielle Smith
Senate Liaison(s): Rukku Singla
Religious Tolerance
Project Manager: Carrie Ross
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich,
Eric Samuels
Professor Evaluations
Project Manager: Darren Cross
Senate Liaison(s): None
South Asian Studies
Project Manager: Travis Shaul
Senate Liaison(s): Rukku Singla
Buckeyelink 24 Hour Operation
Project Manager: Unassigned
Senate Liaison(s): None
Freshman Parking Impact
Project Manager: Wendell Gingerich
Senate Liaison(s): Igor Brin
Weekend Operation for
Wilce Student Health Center
Project Manager: Jerry Dunleavy
Senate Liaison(s): Igor Brin
International Students –
University Policy Education
Project Manager: Unassigned
Senate Liaison(s): None
E-19
E-20
E-21
E-22
E-23
E-24
E-25
E-26
Double Minor / Double Majors /
Dual Degrees
Project Manager: Mike Hemmelgarn
Senate Liaison(s): Steven Knoepfler
Applied Science Series
Project Manager: Ben Watson
Senate Liaison(s): Zara Lockshin
Student Vehicle Network
Project Manager: Jerry Dunleavy
Senate Liaison(s): None
Improved Buckeye News Net
Project Manager: Mary Estock
Senate Liaison(s): None
USG – OSU Libraries
Open Reserve Textbook Program
Project Manager: Chris Dyer
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
USG – OSU Libraries
Online Textbook Program
Project Manager: Chris Dyer
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
Online Syllabi and Textbook Information
Project Manager: Chris Dyer
Senate Liaison(s): Matt Dodovich
OSU Advising
Project Manager: Kate Riestenberg
Senate Liaison(s): None
Project Updates
The following is an update to the summaries of active projects in The Policy Group.
Titles in parentheses are (DD) = Deputy Director, (PM) = Project Manager, (SL) = Senate Liason.
I-1
A preliminary report is in the process of being reviewed. The Report will be published with
recommendations and concerns by the end of the Autumn Quarter.
I-2
No further information.
I-3
Discussions were held this week with the Registrar’s Office regarding the possibility of receiving
access to Undergraduates attending the university, their majors, and their contact information in
order to obtain a random sample for purposes of a survey.
Additionally we met with Barbara Wharton who is the director of Student Affairs’ Assessment
Department. We have arranged to have at least one Policy Member trained in their process. This
will help us reduce our cost and provide the ability to conduct surveys on a regular basis. She
mentioned that some Universities sample their student population often and publish their results
very publicly. This demonstrates to students that their opinions matter and establishes an
expectation of completing a survey if you wish for your opinion to be heard.
I-4
Five students and five faculty members will serve on the committee. We have currently selected
three faculty members for the committee (Charles Massey, Art; Pat Whittington, AG; Jim
Oppermann, English) and are awaiting the remaining two faculty before we will make the
remaining student selections (Kyle Fox – Chair, Kate Dennis).
Timeline:
Nov. 14 – Applications posted online
Jan. 18 - Applications due
Jan. 25 - Binders complete; distribute to selections committee
Feb. 16 - Individual committee member reviews due
Feb. 20-Mar.4 - Selections meeting to decide final winners
Mar. 6 - Announce winners
Mar. 28/29 - Banquet
The application has been posted on the USG website and the program has been promoted in
the Buckeye News Weekly and Honors and Scholars Net.
I-5
We met with Lucas Damicone, the Student Affairs monitor of our website. We are able to
change our simple, nonscientific online polls. The longer polls will take some SA consulting to
change and/ or develop the results.
I-6
The bill associated with this issue past USG Senate. The issue is now complete.
I-7
Sarah Snyder has contacted different Universities regarding their Undergraduate Student
Governments’ policies. Additionally she will interviewing members of the Senate and Cabinet for
their opinion.
I-8
Following the meeting with Student Affairs Assessment, we were assigned this project by
President Suz Scharer. We will coordinate with the Office of Assessment and target the beginning
of Winter Quarter to launch the survey.
E-1
This project is now closed and split due to size. This issue is now handled in Projects E-23, E-24 and
E-25
E-2
No further information.
E-3
Met with the Assistant Dean of USAS on Thursday.
E-4
No further information.
E-5
No further information.
E-6
The McHale report has now been published and is available online. Senior Policy Group Officials
will review the report and decide the course of this project.
E-7
A follow-up meeting was held with the Associate Registrar. He informed the Group that the
additional $2 cost for purchasing Transcripts online was levied by the company who handled the
online payments. He did not foresee this method changing in advance of the approximate 2009
release of the new student information system.
It is now readily apparent that the University depends on the money earned from transcripts to
supplement the general fund. We inquired into the possibility of a small increase in the general
fee in order to offset the disproportionate costs levied on transcript purchasers. He will
investigate the possibility and get back to The Group.
E-8
We have contacted several different departments and working to establish meetings.
E-9
Final Report will be due out soon. We will meet with advisors to confirm the information received
so far.
E-10
Corey Dickey (PM) and Chris Dyer (DD) met with Anand Desai from the School of Public Policy.
The following are the steps necessary in conducting an Economic Impact Study as
stated by Anand Desai:




Data collection (if data is not available, reasonable assumptions can be made)
Model formulation
Calculation of data
Conclusions
Anand Desai estimated total costs for such an undertaking would be roughly $10,000,
which is similar to the cost of the previous study. He stated it would be quite feasible to
perform a study that would show the impact that Ohio State students in particular have
on the city of Columbus and that a report on the impact of the entire state was not
necessary. Anand Desai is unable to personally oversee such a project at this time, but
directed us to contact one of the following:


David Kraybill
Elena Irwin
Findings & Concerns
From the meeting with Anand Desai, it is clear that such a study is possible and could
be very beneficial. Similar studies have been performed to assess the impact of Ohio
State football games. Performing the study simply requires finding a faculty member
willing to oversee it and paying students to do the research. The School of Public Policy
is unable to fund such an undertaking and in order to complete a study, additional
funding would need to be acquired.
E-11
Awaiting Update.
E-12
A letter of inquiry was submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs requesting the official
university policy on this issue.
E-13
OIE has responded to Darren Ross (PM) and we met with Diane Tugood who is Martha Garland’s
Secretary regarding the issue.
E-14
We are setting up a meeting with Randy Smith, Chair for the Council on Academic Affairs.
E-15
Buckeyelink systems do not communicate interactively with each other because a large number
the systems were written to a code created nearly 30 years ago. Due to the age of the current
systems and the lack of uniformity among many of the different departments, this system has to
shut down for several hours each day in order to ensure that information is updated across the
entire OSU system.
The new student information system due out in approximately 2009 will be interactive and the
results posted will be automatic.
E-16
Upon consultation with the Student Affairs Office of Assessment, we will plan on launching this
survey no later than Tuesday, November 29, 2005. The questions for the survey will be completed
over the course of the next week and will be submitted to members of the Political Science and
Statistics Department for verification.
E-17
We met with Ted Grace, the Director of the Student Health Center. He discouraged opening the
health center on weekends because it is generally too costly to operate such a facility on
weekends because most students do not take advantage of the option. He informed us that
they have partnered with the University Hospitals who will take the student health care plan if a
person becomes ill on the weekend.
The Group also inquired about the OSU Family Health Centers in Grandview, North High Street
and in the Short North. These centers do not currently fall within the Student Health Care Plan but
we will pursue extending the plan to these facilities (some of which are open on the weekend)
for students.
E-18
No further information.
E-19
Meeting with Jay Yutzey who is the Undergraduate program Director at Fischer College of
Business and discussed ASC3 dual degree program with USAS.
E-20
We will conduct research into what is offered in the different science class options of the GEC.
Upon evaluation of those courses, we will create a sample plan and submit a preliminary report
to the College of Arts and Sciences.
E-21
No further information.
E-22
Mary Estock was assigned project manager.
E-23
We met with the libraries to discuss final details regarding this issue. We determined the need for
an exit survey to determine the effectiveness of the program and the need for more books.
Several policy members will be assigned to the promotion of this program. A final report will be
written regarding this project. The project is now complete.
E-24
We will need to meet with the libraries and TELR’s office regarding this issue in the next couple
weeks. We are planning on a pilot program for the Spring Quarter.
E-25
This project was originally part of Project E-1. We will be coordinating with the TELR’s Office in
order to post syllabi or at least the textbook for each class online prior to the beginning of the
quarter.
E-26
Kate Reistenberg was assigned project manager.
Referred by Kate Reistenberg.
Focus: Our objective is research how to the improve different OSU advising programs.
Outlook
The Group has made a great deal of progress this past week. We have come to realize the need for
establishing a consistent method of surveying the student public and it seems that we will soon be able
to establish such a method.
Furthermore, our members have met with a large number of faculty and staff demonstrating our
commitment to changing the University. We have done a superb job with investigating, but we must
now ensure that we report our findings so that such pivotal information is known by USG and the
student community.
Please remember all Policy Group members need to file reports of all meetings.
Issues regarding this report may be directed to David Knapp.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Knapp
Policy Director