Miscellaneous fees set, new degree approved

Miami University trustees approved changes to miscellaneous fees for the 2011-2012 academic year. Several new classroom lab fees were approved as well as modest increases for some existing fees.

The fees apply to course sections at the Oxford, Hamilton and Middletown campuses. Many fees remain unchanged, such as the commencement application fee, most library fines and fees and employee parking permits.

Trustees approved a new undergraduate degree, the bachelor of science in information technology, major in health information technology, at the regional campuses, beginning in the fall.

Board chair Don Crain (Miami ’70) recognized the loss to the university of President Emeritus Phillip Shriver, who died last weekend at the age of 88.

“Dr. Shriver’s classes were so popular that I couldn’t get in them. He was born to teach,” Crain said.

Trustees ratified a three-year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38, which represents 15 officers of the Miami University police department.

Crain welcomed new provost Bobby Gempesaw to his first trustee meeting as provost and C. Michael Armstrong (Miami ’61) to his first meeting as a national trustee.

A resolution of appreciation was presented to trustee Kay Geiger, president of Ohio and Northern Kentucky regions, PNC Financial Services Group Inc., who has served as trustee for seven years, but resigned her board position for business reasons.

Miami President David Hodge’s report also included recognition of the significant contributions of former president Shriver, and included updates on state budget negotiations, praise for the university’s sustainability committee and for the Strategic Analysis of Support Services steering team.

In other actions during the April 29 regular business meeting, trustees

• approved changing the name of the geology department to geology and environmental earth science, effective July 1.
• granted the status of professor emerita/emeritus, librarian emerita/emeritus and administrator emerita/emeritus to several retiring employees.
• authorized annexing property along state Route 73 into the city of Oxford for use in the Miami Heritage Technology Park, seen as a strategic economic development project.
• authorized annexing the athletic complex including Yager Stadium and adjacent fields to the city of Oxford in order to maintain utility fee rates while standardizing accounting procedures.
• authorized the board chair to negotiate and execute a five-year contract with David Hodge as Miami University president through June 2016.
• adopted a university debt policy, per the recommendation of the university treasurer and the board’s finance and audit committee
• approved recommendations from the committee on naming of campus facilities for numerous rooms in the soon-to-be built Armstrong Student Center and one room at the Voice of America Learning Center.
• re-appointed Sue Henry as a national trustee through June 2014.