The University of Akron Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled meeting this morning, welcoming a new student trustee, receiving several informational reports of progress in a number of key areas and approving several recommended academics-related actions:
New Student Trustee
Darnell D. Davis Jr.
Board Chair Jonathan Pavloff introduced Darnell D. Davis Jr. (right), who was appointed Student Trustee by Gov. John Kasich on Monday. Davis is a political science major, on track to graduate in December 2016. He has served as a student engagement coordinator, as chief of staff for the Male Excellence Network, as diversity director of the Residence Hall Council and as president of Grant Hall. Davis has completed an internship in the Office of the President, and he has served on the Rethinking Race Planning Committee and the Black Male Summit Planning Committee, among others.
He replaces Student Trustee Garrett E. Dowd, whose term expired July 1. Dowd graduated in May with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. The Board passed a resolution thanking him for his service and dedication on behalf of UA students.
Updates Related to Recent Actions
Nathan Mortimer, vice president for finance and administration and CFO, described the successful performance of "Dancing with the Stars” at E.J. Thomas Hall this past weekend and reported that he has had continuing conversations with organizations such as the Akron Symphony and Tuesday Musical Association, assuring them that their contracted performances will continue through the 2015 – 2016 season. In addition, he reported that E.J. Thomas Hall is “good to go” for other contracted performances. Provost W. Michael Sherman commented on the previously announced plans related to the University of Akron Press move into University Libraries.
Board Chair Jonathan Pavloff offered some observations about the recent decisions and actions:
“As both Dr. Scarborough and I mentioned earlier, the past two weeks have been trying for everyone associated with the University. To address our most immediate challenges, we had to eliminate more than 200 positions in non-core areas. That difficult and painful step was necessary to strengthen our finances and to create the funds necessary to invest in the core areas of the University.
“Unfortunately, the spirit of open dialogue and communications employed during the development of the plan was not carried forward as the initial elements of the plan were rolled out to the public. That was a mistake.
“As you’ve heard today, we remain committed to the operation of E.J. Thomas Hall and the continued service provided by the University Press.
“Going forward, we will do a better job of informing our constituents as additional elements of our plan unfold. Our students, our faculty, our alumni and our supporters in the community deserve and require that information in order to collectively move The University of Akron further along the path of becoming a great public university.
“We believe Dr. Scott Scarborough has appropriately and effectively addressed the issues presented to him since assuming his position just over a year ago. He’s presided over the development of a bold plan to take The University of Akron to new heights. He’s made tough and unpopular decisions. In other words, he’s led and he continues to do so with the full support of the Board.
“In just a few weeks another academic year will get under way. A talented freshman class will join a strong group of hard-working returning students, all of whom are excited to continue on their path to success taking advantage of our historical strengths and some new initiatives."
Undergraduate and Graduate Enrollments
Data was shared with the Board showing that increased recruitment efforts – both inside and outside of Ohio – resulted in a 60 percent increase in freshman applications from two years ago. Admission offers for fall 2015 were approximately 12 percent greater than a year ago and freshman enrollment is pacing ahead of last year by 6 percent. Honors College entering freshman enrollment continues to climb – 643 were enrolled as of August 5, 2015, up from 575 at this time last year. Graduate school enrollment is tracking 8.1 percent above last year at this same time. Several steps have been taken to improve Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid, including working with colleges to expedite admission offers, initiating the process to update admissions criteria, conducting a comprehensive review of graduate admissions processes and financial aid procedures, and creating new marketing materials.
University Donations
A report from the Division of Advancement detailed an approximately 4 percent increase in both donations and the number of donors to the University during the past year. Donations totaled nearly $46.5 million, up from $44.7 million in FY 2014. The number of donors increased to 23,243 during FY 2015, rising from 22,930 in the previous year.
Career Placement
Using what’s referred to as a “conservative placement” measurement, 75 percent of UA graduates from Spring 2014 reported they were either employed full time in their chosen field or in a position that requires a degree, or that they were continuing their education in graduate school, or in law, or in medical school.
Division of Student Success
Several national recognitions were noted for programs offered through the Division of Student Success, including for Residence Life and Housing, which received the 2015 Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities National Organization of the Year Award presented to Sigma Lambda Honorary, as well as being selected as one of five national nominees for 2015 National Best Campus Program Award by Campus Activities magazine. The Outdoor Adventure Adaptive Paddle Sport Program, operated by Student Recreation and Wellness Services, received a Gold Award from NASPA, the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession.
Graduation List of Degree Candidates
Board members approved a list of 1,054 degree candidates for Saturday's Commencement ceremonies, including 65 doctoral candidates, 350 master’s candidates, 482 baccalaureate candidates and 157 associate candidates. This represents a 9 percent increase over last year (966) and is the second highest number of summer graduates in the past five years. Congratulations to our graduates!
Curricular Changes
The Board approved two curricular changes that had previously been recommended by the appropriate faculty bodies – a new Master’s of Studies in Law and the extension of the Certificate in Intellectual Property Law to non-lawyers and other American Bar Association-approved law school graduates. In addition, the Early Child Development Program was moved from the College of Applied Science and Technology to the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences.