Findlay, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2004 — The Board of Trustees of The University of Findlay met Feb. 5, 2004. Twenty-four trustees, two student representatives, one faculty representative, five staff members and President DeBow Freed, Ph.D., attended.

The Board discussed the re-accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Feb. 23-25. The visit is part of the decade review of the University for its overall accreditation. Trustees will meet with the visiting team on Feb. 24.

Spring semester 2004 enrollment stands at 3,705, compared to 3,746 last year. A total of 410 international students are enrolled at The University of Findlay, placing the institution among the top few private institutions in the country in percentage and number of international students.

Student housing occupancy is 1,069 this spring compared to 1,164 in fall 2003 and 869 in spring 2003. Spring semester occupancy is 92 percent compared to 91 percent a year ago. The number of student contracts for the dining service has increased from 761 last year to 860 this year. New residence halls and renovated dining facilities have been well received by UF students.

There are 155 full-time faculty members and 151 adjunct faculty who began the 2003-04 academic year. Of the full-time faculty, 68, or 43 percent, are tenured, and 78, or 50 percent, hold terminal degrees in their fields. Full-time faculty members taught 57 percent of student credit hours in fall 2003 under regular contract and 21 percent as overload, or 78 percent of total teaching.

During the meeting, the Board awarded tenure and promotion to several faculty members. Michael Kerns, D.V.M., animal science, was promoted to professor. Promoted to associate professor and awarded tenure were Mary Cameron, Ph.D., education; Jeannette Drake, communication; Hiro Kawamura, Ph.D., Japanese; Mark Polelle, Ph.D., history, political science and law and the liberal arts; Judith Wahrman, Ph.D., education. Quentin Skrabec, Ph.D., assistant professor of business, was also awarded tenure.

The resignation of John Fahl from the Board was accepted with appreciation for his service, and Johnnie Johnson was elected trustee emeritus, effective after the April 2004 Board meeting.

Several items noted in the academic area included the professional program partnerships to support teaching and learning initiated by the Teaching Learning and Technology Center. The student retention program, started in fall 2003, has had a positive impact. First-year retention from fall to spring semester was better than in recent years. In addition, faculty members are directing the production of an on-line training course for the Occupational Safety and Health Association.

The College of Health Professions plans to convert the physician assistant program to a master’s degree program, and a contact with Lourdes College, which formalizes a collaborative bachelor of science in nursing program, was signed in fall 2003. In addition, accreditation of the master of athletic training program has been approved, and the occupational therapy program received a 10-year accreditation with no qualifications. The University continues to research the feasibility of initiating a pharmacy program. Possible expansion of the English equestrian program was discussed.

The operating budget for 2003-04 is projected to be balanced with a surplus of $1.1 million. Indebtedness has been reduced by $2 million since July 1, 2003. Reductions in expenses since July 1, 2003, amounting to about $900,000.

Preliminary budget planning for 2004-05 is based on projected level enrollment, improvement in residence halls but relatively few other physical plant projects, tuition increase of five percent, room and board increase of three percent, improvement in the academic budgets, addition of three to five teaching faculty in areas of need; increases in wages and salaries with consideration of devoting one percent of any increase to adjusting wages or salaries of the lowest paid employees in each category , competitive financial aid, minimal change in athletic costs and improvement in student services, such as club sports and intramurals.

Year-end giving totaled $633,000 in gifts and grants from Dec. 15-30, 2003. This indicates positive momentum. Grant funds received from outside agencies from July 1 through Dec. 31 totaled $905,000. Eight new grants awarded during the same time totaled $1.9 million, which will be received in the future. Most of the grants are in the area of homeland security and for the alert center the University is considering.

Fundraising is in process for an expansion of the Mazza Museum portion of the Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion. A total of $850,000 has thus far been committed to the $2.2 million project. A public kick-off will be held Feb. 26.

Trustees approved a gift proposed by the classes of 1954 and 2004 to place three to six 16-foot ornamental clocks around campus.

The upper deck of the Clauss Ice Arena will be converted into an aerobic exercise facility during summer 2004.

The University’s new Concert and Lecture Series began with a concert by the Toledo Symphony on Jan. 31, 2004. Future events include a concert by The Stars of the Platters, Coasters and Drifters on Feb. 27; a performance by The Ballet Internationale on March 18; and a lecture by Kathryn Sullivan, astronaut and scientist, on April 7. All events are held in the TLB Auditorium in the Winebrenner Theological Seminary.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees is C. Richard Beckett, D.V.M., with Richard E. White serving as vice chairman. The next meeting of the Board is April 30, 2004.