BGSU Board of Trustees support new programs and initiatives to move University forward

With the support of the Board of Trustees, Bowling Green State University continues to move forward and create public good, now almost one year since a state of emergency was declared in Ohio due to the global pandemic.

During the March 5 trustees meeting, several actions were taken in support of the University’s strategic goals, including the creation of new academic programs to improve collaboration and innovation within the health care industry, a commitment to academic affordability and access to education, supporting the University’s technology upgrades and cyber security, and recognizing faculty for their work in research that is shaping industries.

Changing Lives for the World Campaign

The board acknowledged the successful completion of the University’s Changing Lives for the World Campaign, the largest comprehensive fundraising endeavor in its history raising more than a quarter of a billion dollars in philanthropic support. On Thursday, March 4, the University announced the $255 million campaign total during a livestream event.

“Our donors enthusiastically responded with their support throughout the campaign,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Despite the numerous challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic, BGSU finished the final year of the campaign at an all-time record, receiving more outright gifts and commitments in 2020 than at any other time in our history.

“These included transformational eight-figure gifts that impacted priorities such as scholarships and endowing our first academic college, to thousands of gifts at all dollar levels, making a clear statement from our alumni and donors that they believe in the future of BGSU, a public university for the public good.”

New programs support health care industry

The board approved two new degrees that will help address the growing demand for health care professionals.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration will replace the current health care specialization that is part of the applied health science degree in the College of Health and Human Services. The new degree program is expected to align its curriculum with national certification standards and prepare graduates for the projected employment growth for health care administration professionals.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be offered to meet the demands for clinical physical therapy experts. The innovative two-year curriculum will combine online learning with a twice-a-semester onsite immersive laboratory experience and a collaborative clinical education experience.

With the board’s motion to approve a new bachelor’s degree in health care administration and a doctorate of physical therapy, both programs await state approval before being finalized. 

Faculty members honored

In other action at its March 5 meeting, the trustees honored two of BGSU’s most accomplished faculty members who are making important contributions to supply chain management in health care, global logistics, and applying studies on judgment and decision-making to the hiring of personnel. The title of Distinguished Research Professor was conferred upon Dr. Scott Highhouse, professor of psychology and an Ohio Eminent Scholar, and Dr. Hokey Min, professor of operations and supply chain management and the James R. Good Chair in Global Supply Chain Strategy.

“Dr. Highhouse and Dr. Min are well-deserving of this honor,” Rogers said. “Their research exemplifies the University’s commitment to serving the public good in their areas of expertise, and they have been dedicated teachers and role models for our students.”

Falcon Tuition Guarantee

As BGSU prepares to welcome its fourth cohort of students under the Falcon Tuition Guarantee plan, the board of trustees set room and meal plan rates for the 2021-22 academic year, making sure the University remains an outstanding value.

For the incoming fall class of students, the trustees approved an average 1.8% increase in room rates for its three-tiered system ranging from basic to deluxe rooms. The standard basic double room cost will increase 2% or $60 semester to $3,085.

Meal plans will increase by 3%, or $3.27 per week for the Bronze Plan, which is used by the state for comparison purposes. As part of the Falcon Tuition Guarantee, incoming students will be guaranteed the room and board rates for all four years of their undergraduate years.

With the changes, BGSU remains in the lower half of the 13 state public universities for room and board rates.

University’s Master Plan update

The board approved three projects, one that will complete important and necessary maintenance to two residence halls and two that will address the need to upgrade or replace the Information Technology Services’ network and wireless access points throughout campus.

Building maintenance to Falcon Heights and Centennial Hall, slated to begin in March and conclude in August, includes exterior cleaning and repairs and roof repairs and maintenance. The ITS Infrastructure Master Plan project will allow for design services to plan and estimate the construction work necessary to increase the network’s power and capacity in the coming decade and upgrade the University’s cyber security. Work to replace the University’s wireless access points will begin this summer and continue throughout the summer of 2022 before being completed in the summer of 2023.

The board also agreed to proceed with the demolition of the Administration Building. The building, which was constructed in 1961 for administrative offices serving students, faculty and staff, no longer has strategic value to the University’s academic mission. Current building occupants will be permanently relocated by summer 2021 and demolition will begin in late 2021 and conclude by Fall 2022. The site will become an important gateway to campus; the final appearance is being studied.

In addition, and approved three additional named spaces in the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center: Scott and Holly Beaverson Collaboration Space, Caroline E. Hoffman Office and Kaye and Phil Ridolfi Family Study Hub.