Ohio Northern University
University Council
Minutes, January 19, 2010
Roll:
(Absentees underlined) President Kendall Baker, Dr. David Crago, Dr. Robert Ruble, Mr. Thomas
Stevick, Dean Karen Condeni, Ms. Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, Dean Catherine Albrecht, Dean
Eric Baumgartner, Dean Jon Sprague, Dean James Fenton, Rev. Vernon LaSala, Dr. Jeffery Allison,
Dr. Khalid Al-Olimat, Dr. Robert Carrothers, Dr. Toni Clarke, Prof. Randall Ewing, Mr. Michael
Hamper, Dr. Errol Katayama, Dr. Brian Keas, Prof. Laurie Laird, Dr. John Lomax, Dr. David
Mikesell, Dr. Michael Milks, Prof. Traci Moritz, Dr. Sandra Schroeder, Dr. Kelly Shields, Dr. David
Smith, Dr. Amy Stockert, Dr. Marjorie Walker, Dr. Bryan Ward, Mr. Scott Wills, Dr. Sunny Zank,
Dr. Kay Zekany.
Dr. Sunny Zank, Chair of Council, called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
I.
Minutes of December 1, 2009 were approved as distributed.
II. Reports from Constitutional Committees:
a. Budget and Appropriations: No report.
b. Academic Affairs: No report.
c. Student Activities: No report.
d. Personnel: Has an item in new business.
III. Reports from Operational Committees:
a. Athletics: No report.
b. Information Technology: No report.
c. Cultural & Special Events: No report.
d. International Affairs: No report.
e. Religious Affairs: Will soon start interviewing new chapel staff.
f. General Education: The committee has begun reviewing course submissions for general
education tags. It is hoped that many more submissions will be forthcoming soon. Please
encourage your academic areas to submit materials.
IV. Planning Council: Will meet in February.
V. Other Reports:
a. Eric Baumgartner announced that alumnus Bob Peterson, writer and co-director of the awardwinning movie “Up,” will deliver this year’s Spotts Lecture on March 15. The college is
coordinating other events this day to involve Mr. Peterson across campus. Eric also reported
that the five engineering students and faculty who visited Kenya at the beginning of winter
quarter are eager to see this type of activity continue. The college is putting together a task
force to sustain engineering service efforts in future years.
b. Karen Condeni asked that the following announcements be made in her absence: 287 students
were on campus this past Saturday to participate in the Presidential Scholarship selection, up
from 247 last year. Twenty percent of those attending came from outside Ohio. Another 25
candidates will be evaluated in make-up interviews this week. Eight candidates were
interviewed for the two Mathile scholarships. Trustee Recognition Day is this coming Saturday,
and another strong turnout is expected. Karen expressed gratitude to everyone helping with
these activities.
c. Michael Hamper announced that a Coffeehouse with President Baker will be held at 7pm on
January 25 in the Macintosh main lounge. Senate college representatives and president / vice
president elections will be held next week. A roster update is in progress, encouraging officers
from all student organizations to report names of current leaders. Senate is also looking for a
way to conduct the budget appropriations process electronically; anyone with input is asked to
contact Mr. Hamper.
d. Catherine Albrecht announced that the College of Arts and Sciences will be sponsoring an
undergraduate research colloquium on Saturday, April 10. More details will be available in the
call for proposals to be published soon.
e. The Health Services Advisory Committee meets this Thursday at 2pm.
VI. Announcements:
a. Vern LaSala reported the intention to create an ONU webpage to give the campus community
an opportunity to share how they are being connected with Haiti relief efforts. Rather than
focus all community efforts on one aid organization, this will allow people to spread the word
concerning the efforts of various organizations.
VII. Questions for the President:
a. Dr. Baker will soon present a budget update to the Board of Trustees. He discussed details of
the proposed increases in tuition and room and board for undergraduates and law students.
Current conservative projections for fall 2010 show an increase of 17 students (0.5%) from last
year. The budget proposal will include a modest salary increase for faculty and staff, as well as a
capital budget of approximately $3.7M .
VIII. Unfinished Business:
a. None.
IX. New Business:
a. The Personnel Committee forwarded a proposal regarding tenure clock extensions, the details
of which are in the council agenda. Catherine Albrecht spoke in favor of the proposal, noting
that such a policy is important for attracting junior faculty to ONU. This proposal will come up
for vote at the next council meeting.
X. Adjournment: Dr. Zank adjourned the meeting at 5:47PM. Council will next meet on February 2 at
5:30PM in the Dicke Forum.