6-5-98 TRUSTEES HEAR REPORTS, APPROVE STUDENT INSURANCE PLAN COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Friday (6/5) heard reports on enrollment management efforts and undergraduate research opportunities and approved a student health insurance plan for the 1998-99 academic year. Enrollment management recommendations reported to trustees By the year 2002, Ohio State wants to recruit an entering freshman class with an average ACT score of 26 -- compared to the average score of 24 for the class that entered in autumn 1997. In light of that goal and the ongoing examination of strategies to become a top 10 public institution, university officials are recommending ways to improve freshman retention and six-year graduation rates. Ohio State's freshman retention rate stands at 79 percent, improving from 77.7 percent in 1996. The six-year graduation rate is 57 percent. Officials have outlined a goal to increase first-year retention to 89 percent and the six-year graduation rate to 78 percent by 2002. "We must retain students from the moment of their entry through the beginning of their sophomore year," said Kermit L. Hall, dean of the College of Humanities, executive dean of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences and chair of the Enrollment Management Steering Committee. "The first-year experience generally determines whether students will continue at Ohio State. We must provide all students with supports that make it attractive for them to stay at Ohio State." The steering committee estimates that recruitment- and retention-related strategies would cost approximately $100,000 for each one-tenth of a point increase in the ACT score. The committee, after consultation with many campus groups, recommended the following initiatives to increase retention: -- In terms of academic support, encouraging at-risk students with more one-on-one contact and continuing improvements in academic advising. -- Establishing more residence hall living/learning communities and enhancing student leadership through faculty mentoring. -- Increasing communication about student support initiatives by developing a system to inform the campus, improving the student climate and producing an electronic university events calendar. -- Expanding research on enrollment issues and revising the transfer credit evaluation system. Strategies expected to require little or no additional cost include: -- Requiring mid-quarter feedback in lower-level courses; continuing to reduce closed courses; continuing to reward excellent teaching and emphasizing teaching in promotion and tenure decisions; monitoring English language capabilities of instructional staff; providing tutoring services information; continuing to assess curricular strategies; expanding direct enrollment options; and establishing assessment and support structures for academic advising, including within the residence halls. -- In other areas, recommendations include continuing to enhance career counseling; expanding use of the World Wide Web to deliver student services, campus information and instruction; and including financial planning in financial services. Board approves student health insurance plan The board approved the one-year renewal of a contract with Central Benefits Mutual Insurance Co. to provide student health insurance. The contract reflects a significant reduction of rates and includes additional benefits. Under the new plan, the quarterly rate for student-only coverage will decrease by 2.09 percent. Student-and-spouse coverage and student-with-children coverage will decrease by 4.9 percent. For students with a spouse and children, the rate decreases by 5.2 percent. Additional benefits include increased prescription benefits to reflect no pre-existing condition exclusion, the addition of oral contraceptives and expansion to cover all claims over the current $300 maximum benefit. A vision care benefit also will be added that provides a comprehensive eye exam every 12 months and discounts on eyewear. Board hears report on the Undergraduate Research Forum The board heard a report by William Baeslack, interim vice president for research, on the recent Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum at Ohio State. The forum, held annually since 1995, is a juried event that showcases research completed by Ohio State undergraduate students. Approximately 103 students participated in the forum, with 28 students awarded a total of $15,400 for their work. "The research forum is one way of demonstrating the integration of research and education and highlighting the quality of work undergraduates can do," Baeslack said. "It provides undergraduates the opportunity to experience, investigate and demonstrate hands-on what they have learned inside the classroom." Baeslack said the forum provides concrete examples of the work faculty members do with undergraduates, and is an opportunity to publicize the research work of undergraduates. It also allows students to be recognized, rewarded and affirmed for their work. Three students -- Raymond Tseng, a senior majoring in oral biology and dentistry; Krista Irmscher, a sophomore psychology major; and Meredith Broderick, a junior chemistry major -- also spoke to the board about their participation in the forum. "Participating in the research forum was a perfect complement to my experience inside the classroom. It has given me a more realistic understanding of what research is, and what role research will play in my future career goals," Tseng said. Board hears a report on KBUX Trustees heard a report from Alexandros Papaleonardos, general manager of KBUX, the student-run radio station at Ohio State. Established in 1995 by the Undergraduate Student Government and with funds from the Office of Student Affairs, KBUX is operated by some 100 students and broadcasts through the UNITS cable system, the Internet and through several speakers set up throughout the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. # Contact: Kermit L. Hall, Humanities, (614) 292-1882 Mary Daniels, Student Affairs, (614) 292-9334 Linda Meadows, Research, (614) 292-3805