COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees Fiscal Affairs Committee heard a first-quarter budget report from William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for business and finance, during its meeting Friday (12/1).
Shkurti said enrollment for summer and autumn quarters was .3 percent above projections, with no significant financial impact on the university’s budget at this time. Finances of the Medical Center continue to improve, reflected by a $1 million deficit compared to a $13.9 million deficit at the same time a year ago. Budget areas that are being closely monitored in addition to the Medical Center are the Department of Athletics and the Schottenstein Center, the state appropriations budget environment and the cost of Ohio State’s benefits program.
Shkurti also reported on the final phase of the university’s Administrative Resource Management System (ARMS), noting that it was completed on time and within its $3 million budget. The consolidation and restructuring of ARMS and the Office of Information Technology have been completed, Shkurti said.
In an annual update on the university’s internal operating debts owed by individual units to the university, Shkurti told trustees that the University Health Service System, Office of Enrollment Services and the Department of Athletics/Schottenstein Center would be monitored for progress toward financial stability in the year ahead.
Shkurti, in his annual report on the university’s development efforts, reported that the funding mechanism approved by trustees for the “Affirm Thy Friendship” campaign was successful on all measures. He said necessary resources were allocated where and when needed; good relations were maintained with donors; a firm basis for continuing support has been provided; and the General Fund has not only been protected but also enhanced.
A variety of campus construction and renovation projects aimed at improving Ohio State’s infrastructure were approved by trustees during the meeting.
Trustees authorized the employment of architect/engineering firms and request of construction bids for renovation of the second floor of Postle Hall to provide for oral and maxillofacial surgery services. Total project cost is estimated at $1 million and total construction cost at $830,000, with funding provided by the College of Dentistry.
The board also authorized entering into an agreement with the Science and Technology Campus Corporation for necessary tenant improvements to support the MicroMD Laboratory in the Science Village facility, 1381 Kinnear Road, at a total project cost not to exceed $9 million.
The board accepted the report of award of contracts and establishment of contingency funds for the following projects:
- Building improvements at 1314 Kinnear Road to accommodate the increased program needs of the Center for Lake Erie Area Research program. Total project cost is $658,000, with funding provided by House Bill 790, House Bill 850, House Bill 904 and the Office of Research. Completion date is February 2001. Architect of record is J.L. Bender of Columbus.
- Replacement of the chiller and air conditioning condenser system at 1314 Kinnear Road. Total project cost in $660,000, with funding provided by House Bill 790. Completion date is December 2000. Engineer of record is Motz Consultants of Cincinnati.
- Replacement of the roof at 1315 Kinnear Road. Total project cost is $789,000, with funding from House Bill 850 and the Department of Physical Facilities. Completion date is November 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- Providing ADA compliant restrooms in Cunz, Dulles and Kottman Halls and Lincoln Tower. Total project cost is $338,000, with funding from House Bill 748. Completion date was September 2000. Architect of record is Schorr & Associates of Columbus.
- Replacement of the cooling tower at the Biological Sciences Building. Total project cost is $500,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850. Completion date is January 2001. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Renovations in the Biological Sciences Lab, Phase I. Total project cost in $580,000, with funding provided by House Bill 748. Completion date was September 2000. Architect of record is Phillip Absi of Columbus.
- · Asbestos abatement in Caldwell Lab. Total project cost in $670,000, with funding provided by House Bill 790 and the Ohio Board of Regents. Completion date is December 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Continuing replacement of campus grounds exterior lighting with energy efficient lights, Phase VI. Total project cost is $673,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850; the Department of Physical Facilities; and Housing, Food Service and Event Centers. Completion date is March 2001. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Renovation of Cooke Castle on Gibraltar Island in Lake Erie. Total project cost is $509,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850 and the Department of Physical Facilities. Completion date is November 2000. Architect of record is Renouveau Design Inc. of Columbus.
- · Milling and overlay of Curl Drive with new asphalt. Total project cost is $221,170, with funding provided by House Bill 850. Completion date is September 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Roof replacements on Dodd Hall and Davis Center. Total project cost is $990,000, with funding provided by University Hospitals. Completion date was November 2000. Architect of record is Robert H. Fuller & Associates of Columbus.
- · Upgrade of the Drinko Hall air conditioning system. Total project cost is $610,000, with funding provided by House Bill 748 and House Bill 850. Completion date is August 2001. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Replacement of glass panels at roofline of French Field House. Total project cost is $372,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850. Completion date is December 2000. Architect of record is Schorr and Associates of Columbus.
- · Replacement of windows in Larkins Hall. Total project cost is $222,000, with funding provided by House Bill 904 and the Department of Physical Facilities. Completion date was October 2000. Architect of record is Berardi & Partners Architects of Columbus.
- · Replacement of the cooling tower in the Reed Hall Student Activities Center on the Lima Campus. Total project cost is $43,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850 and Senate Bill 351. The completion date is December 2000. Engineer of record is Roger D. Fields of Columbus.
- · Renovation of Founders Auditorium in Ovalwood Hall on the Mansfield Campus. Total project cost is $1.3, million with funding provided House Bills 748 and 850, Mansfield Campus funds and gifts to the Mansfield Campus. Completion date is September 2001. Architect of record is Myers Associates Architects of Medina, Oh.
- · Repaving of roadway and tennis court on the Mansfield Campus. Total cost is $122,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850. Completion date was October 2000. Engineer of record is Richland Engineering of Ashland, Oh.
- · Construction of a one-story addition to the existing MRI Center. Total project cost is $957,000, with funding provided by University Hospitals. Architect of record is DSI Architects of Columbus.
- Asbestos abatement in the Neil Avenue utility tunnel. Total project cost is $120,000, with funding provided by the Ohio Board of Regents Asbestos Fund and the Department of Physical Facilities. Completion date was March 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- Renovation of the OARDC Poultry Research Facility. Total project cost is $338,000, with funding provided by House Bills 808 and 904. Completion date was August 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- Renovation of the east elevator in the Ohio Union Parking Garage. Total project cost is $281,000, with funding provided by the Office of Transportation and Parking Services. Completion date was October 2000. Architect of record is Stacy & Asebrook Inc. of Columbus.
- Upgrading or replacement of pay telephones at several Columbus Campus locations to remove barriers for the physically impaired. Total project cost is $119,000, with funding provided by House Bill 904. Completion date is December 2000. Architect of record is Milhoan Architects of Columbus.
- Renovation of two operating rooms in Rhodes Hall. Total project cost is $599,000, with funding provided by University Hospitals. Completion date is March 2001. Architect of record is Andrews Architects of Columbus.
- · Upgrading the HVAC system in Thompson Library. Total project is $603,000, with funding provided by House Bill 850. Completion date was November 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
- · Upgrade of the utilities steam line in the South Neil tunnel. Total project cost is $937,000, with funding provided by House Bills 748 and 850 and the Department of Physical Facilities. Completion date is December 2000. Engineer of record is The Ohio State University.
Treasurer’s Report
University Treasurer James L. Nichols updated trustees on the University’s endowment, which stood at $1.17 billion as of Nov. 24. In his quarterly report, Nichols stated the endowment was $1.26 billion as the quarter ended Sept. 30, and the total number of named funds at the end of the quarter was 2,879. He said the return on investment for the 12 months ending Sept. 30 was 28 percent.
Over the last 10 years the amount distributed to colleges and departments has increased dramatically. Nichols reported that the amount that will be distributed to colleges and departments in fiscal 2001 would be $51.2 million, compared to $19.8 million in 1989.
In other business, the board accepted the quarterly report of waivers of competitive bidding requirements. Waivers are granted in the event of an emergency, when a sufficient economic reason
exists or when the goods or services can be purchased from a single source.
###
(LO)
