10/2/98

ATHENS, Ohio --- A new institute designed to promote and coordinate research and advocacy for children in Africa was approved by the Ohio University Board of Trustees today. The Institute for the African Child will include faculty and staff from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Communication, Health and Human Services and Osteopathic Medicine, in conjunction with faculty in the African Studies Program in the Center for International Studies.

Stephen Howard, associate professor and director of the African Studies Program, will serve as director of the institute. "This institute will allow us to invite faculty from our professional colleges to work with faculty in Arts and Sciences and the African Studies Program to promote solutions to the many problems faced by children in Africa," Howard said.

The institute will create new opportunities for collaboration at Ohio University and with institutional partners in Africa, Howard said, while providing a home to what is believed to be the only university-based institute in this field.

Administrative funding for the institute already is in place and the possibility for external research support is promising, said Carol Blum, interim vice president for research and graduate studies.

"This institute marks a new effort and a new niche for African studies at Ohio University," Blum said.

In other action, trustees:

* Set up quasi-endowments to receive a greater return on investment from funds set aside for vacation and sick leave, and for royalty and milestone payments received by the Edison Biotechnology Institute.

* Approved various construction and renovation projects, including an expansion of Bird Arena; construction of broadcast and classroom facilities on the third floor of the Riffe Center on the Southern Campus; and construction of a strength training and coinditioning facility at Peden Stadium, which will be funded through a departmental fund raising initiative.

* Approved a resolution to change the name of the Center for Consultative Sales in the College of Business to The Sales Centre. Trustees also passed a measure to create an interdisciplinary certificate program in sales, designed to prepare students for a career in professional selling as trained professionals.

* Approved the creation of an Associate Degree in Applied Science/One-Year Program in Deaf Studies and Interpreting to be offered at the university's Chillicothe campus. The program will allow the campus to meet the needs of professionals who work with people with hearing disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.