OHIO shares the latest legislative and faculty governance updates
Ohio University leadership is continuing its work with academic leaders and faculty to comply with the academic provisions of the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (SB 1) and the budget bill (HB 96). A summary of the University’s progress on these items, alongside an update regarding the ongoing collective bargaining process with the United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU), is available below.
Advance Ohio Higher Education Act Updates
The Ohio University Board of Trustees passed final Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (AOHEA) policies during its October meeting, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education has approved them. Vice Provost for Faculty Development Katie Hartman worked with a group of associate deans to finalize the associated standard operating procedures (SOP) for promotion and tenure, student evaluations of teaching, faculty workload unit assignments, and annual faculty performance evaluation. They carefully considered all feedback received from colleagues during the open comment period in fall semester. The policies and SOP went into effect on December 24, 2025. During spring semester, they will solicit feedback on the SOP for peer evaluations of teaching, syllabus requirements, post-tenure review, and retrenchment.
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Higher Education has approved our American Civics Literacy course requirement plan, and we are awaiting feedback on our low-conferral program waivers.
HB96 Budget Bill Updates
OHIO’s Board of Trustees passed a curricular review resolution last week during its January meeting. As required by the FY2026-27 biennium budget bill, the board has final approval for new and modified academic programs and courses. The resolution states that Faculty Senate will send recommendations for curricular changes to the provost, who will prepare resolutions for the Board’s consideration. Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Sarah Poggione will work with the University Curriculum Council to build a new timeline that incorporates the mandated board approval. The budget bill also requires the board to evaluate general education by December 31, 2026, and the University to offer at least one 90-credit degree program by fall 2027. Dean David Nguyen is leading our efforts to develop expedited degrees that meet state workforce needs.
Faculty Union Updates
The University began collective bargaining with the faculty represented by UAOU on August 4, 2025. The University and UAOU negotiating teams have met 11 times for approximately 68 hours. The University is bargaining in good faith and has engaged in productive dialogue on a number of important topics. UAOU negotiating team members have presented 25 articles, and the teams have reached tentative agreements on 3 to date. Our next bargaining session is currently scheduled for January 28.
Non-union Working Group
Provost Leo charged a working group, led by CHSP Associate Dean Janet Simon and HCOM Associate Dean Susan Williams, to provide recommendations for a shared governance structure that will enable faculty members who are not represented by UAOU to address their terms and conditions of employment. The group has presented initial recommendations, which included constituent feedback and benchmarking. They anticipate sharing final recommendations no later than May 1, 2026.