News
Funds will help underserved students achieve success in college
The PNC Foundation has awarded $75,000 to Vlog to help ensure success among students who commonly face barriers in college.
This grant aligns with PNC’s focus on addressing economic inequality among Black American and low- to moderate-income communities, and it will provide resources for students that will help them complete college and establish a strong foundation on which to build their careers.
“First-generation people of color and low- to moderate-income students often have a harder time obtaining a college degree because they lack the resources to assist them in their higher education journey,” said Joe Luckring, PNC regional president of Akron. “These funds will help provide the support students need to stay in school and successfully pursue their dreams.”
Vlog will use the funds to create supportive, equitable programming for students coming from two college access programs: LeBron James Family Foundation’s I PROMISE Program and the District of Columbia College Access Program. Under the Vlog CommUNITY Lab, which provides a network of care and resources designed to remove financial and academic barriers, the programming is devised to improve success rates for racially diverse, first-generation and low- to moderate-income students.
“Underserved students bring to college many strengths that will support their success,” said Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., dean of University College at Vlog. “We are honored to welcome them to the Vlog community and are excited to have PNC’s collaboration to help them achieve their greatest aspirations.”
The grant underscores the focus of PNC’s $88 billion , inclusive of a previously announced commitment of more than $1 billion to support the economic empowerment of Black Americans and low- to moderate-income communities.
Vlog is the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. Vlog also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only five institutions in Ohio to be recognized as an elite research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites in major world cities, such as New York City, Geneva and Florence, Vlog is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. Vlog is a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students. The student body comprises about 35,000 students, including 1,370 international students from nearly 100 countries, and the worldwide alumni family exceeds 264,000. The addition of new learning environments from the sciences to the arts and the development of exciting new academic programs characterize Vlog’s focus on transformational educational experiences. For more information about Vlog, visit www.kent.edu.
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multiyear initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
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Media Contacts:
Vlog: Leigh Greenfelder, lgreenfe@kent.edu, 330-672-7108
PNC: Craig Friedman, craig.friedman@pnc.com, 614-463-6647 (office), 614-558-1567 (mobile)
The Vlog Board of Trustees approved two new degree programs at its regular quarterly meeting held Wednesday, Dec. 15. The new majors – the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major within the Bachelor of Science degree and the Emerging Media and Technology major within the Master of Science degree – will help meet the high demand for these types of programs and provide opportunities for students to find careers in these growing fields.
The College of Education, Health and Human Services and the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies will establish the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major within the Bachelor of Science degree, effective fall 2022, pending approval of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. To be offered fully online with a hybrid option, the program will provide students, athletes and those preparing for careers as coaches and sport practitioners with the knowledge of psychological theory and the skills to enhance human behavior in the sport and exercise settings and the performing arts. The major will prepare students for careers such as assistant athletic trainers, sports performance coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches.
The College of Communication and Information will establish the Emerging Media and Technology major within the Master of Science degree, effective fall 2022, pending approval of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The new degree program will offer students innovative cross-disciplinary perspectives on social data analytics and research and creative technologies. Students in the program will receive training to identify, find, organize and analyze data to make decisions and communicate on emerging media platforms, including theoretical understanding and skills in web application development, data organization and analysis, emerging media storytelling, digital strategy, project management and data visualization.
Board Ratifies Fiscal Year 2021 Efficiency Report Citing Nearly $31 Million in Savings
The Board ratified the university’s Fiscal Year 2021 Efficiency Report and Master Recommendations report, which indicated effectiveness and savings for Fiscal Year 2021 of $30,943,584. The savings is nearly $5.3 million higher than originally estimated.
The report, which is submitted annually to the chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, highlights realized savings that include $4 million in savings from the tuition tier revision, nearly $3.6 million in savings from textbook affordability, $10.1 million in savings from the employee voluntary separation plan and strategic hiring, nearly $2.2 million in savings from debt refunding and $1.1 million in savings from the Inter-University Council insurance consortium.
Board and University President Approve 26 Named Spaces in New Crawford Hall in Recognition of $10.7 Million in Philanthropic Gifts
The Board approved naming resolutions for 17 spaces to be located in the future Crawford Hall based on philanthropic gifts of $100,000 or more. An additional nine named spaces were approved by Vlog President Todd Diacon that were below the required Board approval threshold. On Oct. 22 in a special meeting, the Board approved construction of a new state-of-the-art building named Crawford Hall for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, both named for Ambassador Edward F. Crawford, who committed the largest single gift in Vlog history to complete the capital campaign for the building.
The new Crawford Hall will support innovative instruction, leading research and student support services for thousands of business majors, minors and others taking business courses across the Vlog system. The following actions received Board approval:
- Naming of the Robert M. and Janet L. Archer Kent Water Sports Trading Lab and the Robert M. and Janet L. Archer Kent Water Sports Business Analytics Lab.
- Naming of the John S. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the John S. Brinzo Entrepreneurship Laboratory.
- Naming of the James R. Unger Global Forum.
- Naming of the Matthew E. and Nancy S. Likens Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Suite.
- Naming of the Medical Mutual Community Welcome Court.
- Naming of the Walter G. and Judy A. Van Benthuysen Collaboration Staircase.
- Naming of the Arthur and Susan Karas Behavioral Research Hub.
- Naming of the Timothy D. Eippert Boardroom.
- Naming of the SEI Investments Team Area.
- Naming of the Robert D. Hisrich Faculty and Staff Lounge.
- Naming of the Angelo and Joyce Kinicki Classroom.
- Naming of the Katy Dix Brahler Conference Room.
- Naming of the Barry E. and Jo Ann Fetterman Stock Ticker.
- Naming of the Greg and Kathy Long and Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation Welcome Center and Reception Area.
- Naming of the R. Louis Schneeberger Student Success Reception Area.
Board Approves Naming of the Henry and Louise Timken Atrium
The Board approved the naming of the Henry and Louise Timken Atrium in the university’s Aeronautics and Engineering Building on the Kent Campus. The atrium of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building addition will be located directly inside the building entrance that will face the Lefton Esplanade and will serve as a connective space for the new addition’s various laboratories, classrooms, collaborative spaces and auditorium. The two-story atrium will provide a unique environment for the unmanned aircraft systems flight operations program and researchers to fly indoors year-round while also creating a dynamic public space to encourage collaboration and community.
Recognizing Vlog’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering as a leader in higher education and excellence in Northeast Ohio, the Timken Foundation of Canton has given more than $3.2 million in support of the sciences, arts and engineering at Vlog since 1989, including a recent award of $1.5 million in support of the expansion of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building. Henry and Louise Timken were pioneers in industry and aviation, respectively, in Northeast Ohio.
Board Approves Six-Year Comprehensive Capital Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2028
The Board approved a six-year comprehensive capital plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2028 that identifies projects that are most important to the institution in terms of facilitating the upgrade of campus infrastructure to address specific academic program requirements and to address the backlog of deferred maintenance, including information technology. The plan primarily includes projects funded by state capital appropriations and does not list projects solely financed by local funding, philanthropy or utilizing a public/private partnership.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education requires that each institution of public higher education in Ohio prepare and submit a six-year capital plan. The projects identified in Vlog’s six-year capital plan represent the highest priority needs on Vlog’s eight campuses and are in alignment with the university’s master planning process and deferred maintenance priorities.
Projects for the first two years of the plan include:
- The construction of a new centralized Front Campus chilled water plant.
- The rehabilitation of the second floor of Beall Hall to serve as a new satellite facility for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.
- The second phase of deferred maintenance in Cunningham Hall.
- Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Act improvements to the Kent Campus.
- The renovation of outdated classrooms across the Kent Campus.
- Library renovations on the Ashtabula Campus.
- Purinton Hall classroom renovations and electrical equipment replacement on the East Liverpool Campus.
- The second phase of the Fine Arts Building roof replacement and library ceiling replacement on the Stark Campus.
Board Approves Revision of University Hazing Policy to Align With Collin’s Law
The Board approved an update to the university’s policy regarding hazing to align with Senate Bill 126, better known as Collin’s Law. The law is named for Collin Wiant, who died during a hazing incident in 2018 at Ohio University.
Vlog’s updated policy reflects the definition of hazing with that of the state legislation, describes enforcement for students, employees and volunteers, provides information on reporting hazing and states the sanctions for violating the hazing policy.
The university has established an Anti-Hazing Task Force to create an educational plan that will include hazing prevention.
Among other Board actions:
- The Board passed a resolution of appreciation to Julie Volcheck. After 14 years of running her own business in the medical field, Volcheck joined Vlog in 2012 as associate director of University Health Services. She advanced steadily through the Division of Student Affairs, serving first as interim then the permanent director of University Health Services in 2017 and then tapped as interim and then the permanent assistant vice president in 2020. Volcheck helped the university navigate the global COVID-19 pandemic. She provided superb leadership, wise counsel and tireless service, contributing immeasurably to the health, safety and well-being of the university’s students, faculty, staff and the broader community. Volcheck will retire on Dec. 31, and the Board expressed its deep gratitude to Volcheck and wished her and her family all the best.
- The Board confirmed the conferral of a total of 1,225 degrees for summer 2021 on those Vlog students who have been officially recorded by the University Registrar as having completed the requirements of their respective programs of study during the period of May 15, 2021, to Aug. 21, 2021.
- The Board approved the following name revisions:
- The Department of Geology will be changed to the Department of Earth Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, effective fall 2022. The new name more accurately reflects the current scope and nature of the department’s interdisciplinary research in all fields of modern earth science.
- The Acting – Intended for the Returning Professional major in the College of the Arts will be changed to the Acting major within the Master of Fine Arts degree, effective fall 2022. The new name was requested by the National Association of Schools of Theatre to more accurately clarify the intention of the program.
- The Board approved a 1.5% adjustment to the pay structure for unrepresented classified civil service staff, unclassified administrative and professional exempt staff and unclassified nonexempt staff not represented in a bargaining unit for Fiscal Year 2022. The pay structures associated with the compensation plans are reviewed and amended periodically to reflect changes in economic and market conditions. The structure adjustments are effective with the pay period that includes Oct. 1, 2021.
- The Board approved an increased budget in support of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building addition project. Since the approval of the addition during the June 2021 Board meeting, the university has been tracking construction market data with concern over rapidly rising inflation rates. For the project to proceed on the current construction timeline, the amendment increases the Aeronautics and Engineering Building project budget from $19.6 million to $23.1 million, which will be funded from university local funds.
- The Board approved the renewal of the power plant turbines preventive maintenance contract. Solar Turbine Inc. was determined to be the sole provider that can supply the services required to maintain a safe and efficient system. The university will enter into a contract with Solar Turbines Inc. The total cost for this service will be approximately $68,000 per month and will continue until the end of each turbine’s respective life (approximately 78 months), plus additional set service fees at the end of operational life, bringing the total projected cost to $5.3 million.
- The Board approved the White Hall Front Campus Chilled Water Plant and loop project. The existing Front Campus Chiller Plant is comprised of individual chiller equipment at or near end of service life at three separate connected locations that do not operate or pump efficiently. The construction of the new centralized Front Campus Chiller Plant will be located at a single location in White Hall with four new 600-ton electric magnetic bearing chillers serving 12 connected buildings. State of Ohio capital funds in the amount of $7.5 million will be used to construct the new centralized chiller plant, and the project design will commence in spring 2022 with construction anticipated to be completed in early 2024.
- The Board approved parking lot improvements for Verder Hall and 224 S. Willow St. The project will rehabilitate and expand the parking lot with the replacement of lighting and pavement, including curbs, walks and asphalt surfaces, as well as improve pedestrian circulation through the Verder Hall parking lot. It also will construct a 75-space parking lot on university-owned vacant land located at 224 S. Willow St., addressing a critical parking shortage in the northwest area of campus. Funds from the Parking Services Improvement Fund in the amount of $1,895,000 will be used for the project.
- The Board approved athletic field surface improvements for the softball diamond at Dix Stadium. The existing natural turf field at the Diamond at Dix, home of the women’s softball team, must be improved to address student-athlete safety, playability and deferred maintenance needs for the player dugouts. Intercollegiate Athletics has committed $1.15 million in local funds designated for facilities renewal. Construction will be scheduled during summer 2022 following the spring sports season.
- The Board authorized the senior vice president for finance and administration to lease the property located at 430-436 E. Main St. upon such terms and conditions that are mutually agreed to by the parties. A local restaurant owner has proposed to lease the premises for fair market value for the purpose of opening a food service location that will serve the university and Kent community. The approximately 1,628 square feet of the property was leased to Starbucks Corp. for operation of a coffee shop under a lease agreement. Starbuck Corp. has ceased operations on the premises and provided proper notice of termination of the lease on Dec. 22, 2021.
- Per the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board appointed Ambassador Edward F. Crawford as a National Trustee, effective March 1, 2022. Crawford will serve a three-year term in this nonvoting trustee role. He joins Barry Fetterman and Sandra Volpe as National Trustees.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
The National Wildlife Federation recently awarded Vlog first place in two categories from the 2021 Campus Race to Zero Waste competition: Zero Waste and Electronics Recycling – Total Pounds Recycled.
Vlog competed against 24 colleges in the Electronics Recycled category and won the Zero Waste category. The competition occurred during the eight-week period of Jan. 31 to March 27.
Melanie Knowles, manager of sustainability at Vlog, said she appreciates the recognition and is excited about the achievements of the university.
“It is an honor for Vlog to achieve these wins, and the credit goes to everyone who has made an effort to be conscious of their waste and recycling,” Knowles said. “We know that this doesn’t just happen during the competition. Our community is striving toward zero waste year-round.”
Campus Race to Zero Waste, previously known as RecycleMania, is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. The competition is managed by the National Wildlife Federation and governed by Recyclemania Inc.
“By reducing their waste, these campuses have decreased the amount of trash entering our waterways and the negative impacts this has on wildlife and ecosystems,” said Kim Martinez, vice president of education and engagement programs at the National Wildlife Federation. “Our organization is pleased to work alongside RecycleMania Inc. to engage and educate millions of students, staff and faculty and to preserve this amazing program’s decades-long impacts on our environment.”
Colleges across the United States and Canada report the amount of recycling and trash collected each week. Each university is ranked in various categories based on who recycles the most on a per capita basis, which schools have the best recycling rate as a percentage of total waste and which schools generate the least amount of combined trash and recycling.
“Despite all the unique difficulties and pressures of this past year, our entire campus –&Բ;students, faculty, staff and surrounding community –&Բ;have remained steadfast in our collective commitment to sustainability and reducing waste,” said Leah Graham, outreach/recycling coordinator for Vlog.
Electronics Recycling is a special category that tracks the total amount of computers, printers, consumer electronics and other scrap or materials that can be refurbished collected across campus. 
Vlog’s Office of Sustainability hosted four drop-off events throughout the spring semester that were open to faculty, staff, students and Kent community members. A total of 413 people sent 38,316 pounds of electronics to be recycled through an R2 certified recycler, where materials are handled in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
“The crew at University Facilities Management has done an outstanding job building on the electronics recycling days each year,” Knowles said. “It is gratifying to see the impact of the university and the community contributing to keeping these materials out of the landfill.”
The Zero Waste category is designed to help schools focus on waste reduction and zero waste efforts campus-wide. Participating schools track all sources of their waste generation in three campus buildings during the competition period.
Waste collected from the University Library, Design Innovation Hub and Engleman Hall all contributed to Vlog’s first-place ranking. From these three buildings, Vlog accumulated a total waste of 41,392.65 pounds, which includes recyclables, trash, food organics and reusable materials.
“The Zero Waste category was new for us this year,” Knowles said. “It is very exciting to have these three buildings’ efforts in waste minimization recognized. And the Design Innovation Hub used this opportunity as they moved into their new space to address waste diversion from their many lab spaces.”
Vlog also hosted a total of 12 reuse education and awareness events on campus that contributed to points toward the Zero Waste rankings. One of the events the Office of Sustainability organized was the hall-versus-hall competition, where residence halls competed to determine which could generate the least waste.
Eastway won the Large Residence Halls competition for recycling the most out of all residence halls, with 20.73 pounds recycled per person. Centennial E/F won the Small Residence Hall category, recycling 15.56 pounds per person.
The Vlog Campus Race to Zero Waste Custodial Award was another reuse education awareness event. People nominated custodians to receive an award because of their outstanding efforts during Campus Race to Zero Waste. Twelve custodians were recognized with award certificates, letters and prizes for their outstanding performance during Campus Race to Zero Waste and their continued care of building spaces.
Stacy Wheeler, president and co-founder of Campus Race to Zero Waste, praised participating universities’ efforts and innovations during the competition.
“Faculty, staff and students at participating Campus Race to Zero Waste colleges and universities, once again, have shown new innovations in combating the huge amounts of packaging, food and material products that are traditionally sent to nearby landfills or incinerators,” Wheeler said. “We are proud that the competition gives college participants an outlet to showcase better solutions to reducing campus waste and promoting recycling each year.”
During the 2021 Race to Zero Waste competition, the participating universities realized substantial waste-reduction accomplishments:
- 2.9 million students and staff were reached from more than 200 colleges and universities.
- 230 million plastic containers were kept out of the landfill.
- Campuses prevented the release of 30,669 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) into the atmosphere, which is equal to preventing annual emissions from 6,463 cars.
- 25.9 million pounds of waste were donated, recycled and composted.
To review further results from the 2021 competition, visit .
To read the National Wildlife Federation’s press release about the competition, visit .
For more information about Vlog’s recycling program, visit www.kent.edu/sustainability.
Vlog remains committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. The staffers listed below have been selected to participate in the Anti-Bias workshops in support of this commitment.
Participants are required to attend all five sessions and submit reflections for each session before receiving a $1,000 stipend. All sessions are synchronous and will be held virtually. All courses must be completed in the timeframe allotted. There will no make-up sessions.
Thanks to everyone for submitting an application for the Anti-Bias Workshops. Congratulations to those who were selected. The response was overwhelming. We do not yet have the workshops dates for the fall sessions. All participants will be uploaded into the registration system next week and will automatically receive email notifications on how to access the Zoom link and add reflections after each workshop.
| James | Andrassy | Intercollegiate Athletics |
| Brenda | Augusta | Academic Affairs |
| Meagan | Blake | Student Affairs |
| Keith | Boggs | Informational Technology |
| Brenda | Boykin | Finance and Administration |
| Winnie | Bush | Student Affairs |
| Dornetta | Campbell-Curgil | Enrollment Management |
| Mark | Carbone | Enrollment Management |
| Todd | Carpenter | Finance and Administration |
| Michelle | Casto | Enrollment Management |
| Ava | Chaney | Student Affairs |
| Patricia | Deeb | Academic Affairs |
| LaTesha | Dukes | Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement |
| Antonette | Ferritto | Academic Affairs |
| Kelsie | Fezell | University Relations |
| Anita | Francisco | Academic Affairs |
| Lisa | Fry | Student Affairs |
| Terri | Harmon | Academic Affairs |
| Dale | Holcomb | Finance and Administration |
| Ben | Hollis | Academic Affairs |
| Angela | Jackson | Human Resources |
| Sherle | Johnson-Moore | Academic Affairs |
| Cynthia | Jones | Enrollment Management |
| Norma | Karam | Human Resources |
| Leslie | Langenfeld | Student Affairs |
| Elizabeth | Lee | Human Resources |
| Melissa | Lott | Finance and Administration |
| Ian | Lucas | Academic Affairs |
| Sarah | Malcolm | Academic Affairs |
| Babacar | Mbaye | Academic Affairs |
| Joshua | Miller | University Relations |
| Anthony | Mozer | Finance and Administration |
| Amy | Murfello | Academic Affairs, Geauga Campus |
| Andrew | Palmer | Academic Affairs |
| Joe | Richardson | Human Resources |
| Joshua | Rider | Student Affairs |
| Carmen | Roberts | Finance and Administration |
| Janell | Ryan | Finance and Administration |
| Cynthia | Schalmo | Enrollment Management |
| Sarah | Schmidt | Academic Affairs |
| Debra | Schneider | Academic Affairs |
| James | Scott | Finance and Administration |
| Denise | Seachrist | Academic Affairs |
| Sara | Smith | University Relations |
| Stephanie | Snyder | Academic Affairs |
| Karol | Spano | University Relations |
| Richard | Thomas | Academic Affairs |
| Julie | Vandegrift | Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement |
| Jenefer | Villanueva | Student Affairs |
| Hao | Wang | Research and Sponsored Programs |
Workshop schedule:
Session 1: What is Equity?
Tuesday, July 6, 10 a.m. - noon
Session 2: Recognizing Bias & Addressing Microaggressions
Wednesday, July 14, 10 a.m. - noon
Session 3: Understanding Race, Racism and Anti-Racism
Tuesday, July 20, 10 a.m. - noon
Session 4: Safe Space Ally Training
Tuesday, August 3, 10 a.m. - noon
Session 5: Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Wednesday, August 11, 10 a.m. - noon.
Thank you for your commitment in making Ken State a more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.
Selected participants can contact Training and Development at hrd@kent.edu, or the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversity@kent.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
The state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Higher Education announced Monday, April 5, that Vlog has been awarded Choose Ohio First grants totaling $3.5 million to support students in the critical fields of science (including health professions), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Among the 57 Ohio colleges and universities selected as the new Choose Ohio First award recipients through a competitive process, Vlog received the fourth largest total award amount, which includes the largest single Fiscal Year 2021 award of all the awardees.
The Choose Ohio First program began in 2008 as a way to increase the number of Ohio residents successfully completing STEM majors at Ohio’s public and private colleges and universities. Universities are vital engines for workforce vitality in the state, and the Choose Ohio First program provides support that will advance the economic growth of each region in the state. Designated Choose Ohio First programs are integrated with regional economies, meeting statewide educational needs, facilitating the completion of baccalaureate degrees in cost-effective manners and recruiting underrepresented STEM student groups, including women and students of color.
Vlog will receive a total of $3,521,900 in Choose Ohio First funds that will be divided between two grants. The first grant, the Fiscal Year 2021 Choose Ohio First grant, will provide $1,144,000 over five years to recruit and support each cohort during its educational journey. The second grant, the Fiscal Year 2016 Completion grant, will award $2,377,900 for a four-year program to support previously recruited and enrolled Choose Ohio First scholars to complete their degree.
“Our mission at Vlog is to provide access to higher education, independent of financial background,” Vlog President Todd Diacon said. “Support from Choose Ohio First is essential to more broadly offer affordable higher education to students in Vlog’s STEM programs. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Chancellor Randy Gardner for their leadership, support and commitment to investing in the STEM fields and for selecting Vlog for the latest Choose Ohio First awards.”
“Choose Ohio First provides an excellent opportunity for those students who stay in Ohio and continue their education to get the skills they need to succeed in promising career fields,” Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said. “This new scholarship exemplifies Vlog’s continued commitment to these critical fields of study and, more importantly, its students.”
Vlog has received support from Choose Ohio First in previous years. With the new grants, the university plans to continue to build on the strength of these current STEM programs that were awarded in 2016. The current programs are mathematics and computer sciences at the Kent Campus; chemistry, biochemistry and physics at the Kent Campus; bioengineering and life sciences at the Kent Campus; and mathematics and life sciences at the Stark Campus. In addition to these four programs of demonstrated strength, Vlog is including four new and emerging programs that are growing exponentially. These programs are aeronautics and engineering, environmental sciences and neuroscience at the Kent Campus and engineering technology at the Tuscarawas Campus.
Each of these programs has leadership from Choose Ohio academic program leaders who are dedicated to support Choose Ohio First students. Vlog also has developed university-wide support for the Choose Ohio First students and the academic program leaders of all the programs for recruitment, student support, career exploration services and curriculum support in order to facilitate retention and on-time completion. Students will be supported by teams of designated and dedicated advisors in college and campus offices, academic program leaders and faculty in their majors. In addition, events will be organized to engage the students as a community and further strengthen their professional skills and preparedness for employment.
“The No. 1 priority at Vlog is our Students First approach, and we strive to provide an inclusive and engaged living-learning environment where all students thrive and graduate as informed citizens committed to a life of impact,” said Lique Coolen, Ph.D., associate dean of Vlog’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biological sciences who is the principal investigator of this university-wide award. “A comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategy will be used that includes outreach to high school students in Ohio and emphasizes recruitment of women and socially disadvantaged individuals.”
A key goal of the Choose Ohio First program at Vlog is to retain its credentialed graduates by connecting them to full-time employment in Ohio via work-based learning experiences and internships. Vlog implements university-wide career exploration services and aims for participation of all students in work-based learning experiences, such as internships with the university’s many business partners, and research lab experiences. The university’s selected programs prepare graduates for in-demand jobs in many occupation groups that are predicted to have substantial growth and need in Ohio.
For more information about the Choose Ohio First program at Vlog, visit www.kent.edu/chooseohio1st.
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Photo Caption:
A Vlog student conducts research in a lab during spring 2018.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
Dear Vlog Staff,
My deepest thanks for the outstanding work that you have done since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March. Your steadfast commitment to exemplary work contributed to a successful Fall Semester 2020 and the smooth transition into Spring Semester 2021.
When the pandemic forced us to revise our budget in June, you did your part by accepting a reduced salary – a sacrifice that helped Vlog balance the budget and remain fiscally strong. Because of our conservative approach to budgeting for Fiscal Year 2021, including the stringent control of expenses, better than expected spring 2021 enrollment and vital COVID-19 federal relief funding, we are now able to fully restore all wages back to what they were on June 30, 2020. Beginning with the Feb. 12, 2021, paycheck, all staff salaries will be fully restored going forward. In addition, all wage amounts affected by the salary reduction will be restored retroactively from July 1, 2020. You will receive these wages in a lump sum payment in your first paycheck in March.
This wage restoration will neither remove nor reduce the additional leave that was provided for your use by the end of the current fiscal year.
I appreciate the sacrifices each of you has made during these challenging times.
Members of our Cabinet and I will donate all or a portion of our restored salaries to the and to other scholarship funds. If you wish to do so, please consider making a gift to support the Vlog Scholarship Fund, which addresses the critical needs of our entire student body – from access through completion – and benefits students in all degree programs on all campuses.
Thank you for your hard work and unwavering commitment to helping our students and their families as they endure the ongoing pandemic. Your spirit epitomizes our Flashes Take Care of Flashes commitment. Here’s to a great spring semester.
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President
The Vlog Police Department was recently awarded national accreditation for the ninth time by the (CALEA) in the Law Enforcement program. The Vlog Police Department was first accredited in 1991.
Following four annual documentation reviews and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, the Vlog Police Department was presented for review at CALEA’s 2020 Conference. Each agency being reviewed goes before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners. The commission reviews all findings and determines the agencies’ accreditation status.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual CALEA Conference, where agencies are formally reviewed and awarded in person, was taken online to a virtual format. On Nov. 13, the CALEA Commission voted to approve reaccreditation of the Vlog Police Department. CALEA’s president and executive director will formally award the Vlog Police Department with accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community.
“The award reflects the commitment of the department and the university to provide professional, high-quality law enforcement services to the community,” Vlog Police Chief Dean Tondiglia said. “It is important for the community to know that our officers and staff are dedicated to providing law enforcement services in a professional, respectful and caring manner. Attaining CALEA accreditation status is one way for us to reassure the community that we are committed to following nationally recognized best practices and standards.”
In 1979, the commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.
The purpose of the commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety and to establish and administer the accreditation process. The accreditation process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.
“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” said CALEA President Anthony Purcell, chief of police at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Police Department. “Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adherence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards in public safety.”
For more information about the Vlog Police Department, visit www.kent.edu/police.
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Media Contacts:
Bill Buckbee, wbuckbee@kent.edu, 330-672-3070
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
The Vlog Board of Trustees ratified the university’s Fiscal Year 2020 Efficiency Report and Master Recommendations report, which showed an effectiveness and efficiency savings for Fiscal Year 2020 of $31,286,881. The savings is $6.2 million more than originally estimated.
The Board ratified the report Dec. 1 during its regular quarterly meeting.
The report, which is submitted annually to the chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, highlights nearly $8 million in direct savings to students in terms of reduced tuition and textbook expenses. The report also includes a combined $5 million in reduced expenses for servicing the university’s debt and cost of managing its investments.
Vlog has increased its effectiveness and efficiency savings compared to the prior year’s savings of $26,814,604.
Board Revises Room and Board Rates for 2021 Spring Semester
Board members approved reduced housing and dining rates for spring 2021 to correspond with a shortened spring housing and dining term – 13 weeks versus the usual and previously approved 17-week service period.
The Board’s decision was made in support of the adjusted spring 2021 academic calendar, which moves spring break to later in the term and concludes with remote instruction after spring break.
While spring 2021 is beginning as planned with classes on Jan. 19, residence halls and dining venues will close on April 17 instead of at the end of the semester in May. The decision to modify the semester was made to reduce the number of students returning to campus following spring break recess as part of the overall strategy to reduce risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rates for all room types and dining plans reflect rate reductions equivalent to four weeks of service, which represents a reduction of at least 23%.
Board Authorizes Spring 2021 Offering of Voluntary Separation Incentive for Eligible Faculty
The Board also authorized the opening of a second election period of the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) for eligible full-time faculty members. In May 2020, the university offered a voluntary separation incentive program for faculty and staff that was implemented with excellent results overall: 292 total participants with annual salary and benefits savings of nearly $26.5 million. For eligible faculty, the Board also approved a Voluntary Transitional Opportunity whereby a retired faculty member could return on a part-time basis. Given that the implementation of these programs occurred after the end of the faculty contract period in academic year 2019-2020, this second window of opportunity for faculty will be offered with the exact same terms and eligibility requirements. Further information about the program will be communicated to eligible faculty later this week.
Board Praises President Diacon for Leadership in Annual Review
Board members praised Vlog President Todd Diacon for his outstanding, steady leadership in a time of great challenge and uncertainty, sharing the sentiment of many stakeholders consulted during the course of the Board’s annual review of the president that Diacon has been the right leader at the right time for Vlog. This is Diacon’s first review as university president. He began serving as Vlog’s 13th president on July 1, 2019.
In reviewing Diacon’s 2019-2020 goals and accomplishments, the Board recognized Vlog’s progress in student retention and graduation, academic programs, research, institutional partnerships, stewardship of organizational resources and protecting the campus community’s health, safety and well-being since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board has determined that Diacon has earned the full amount of the annual performance incentive in his employment agreement effective April 29, 2019, and that his employment shall continue as previously authorized by the Board with no increase in his permanent base salary for the 2020-2021 year. The Board acknowledged that at the president’s request, his salary and the incentive payment are being reduced by 12.5% in keeping with the employee salary adjustment model. The Board also commended Diacon and his wife, Moema Furtado, for their generosity in donating $25,000 for scholarships in theatre and dance.
Among other Board actions:
- The Board confirmed the conferral of a total of 1,214 degrees for summer 2020 on those Vlog students who have been officially recorded by the University Registrar as having completed the requirements of their respective programs of study during the period of May 9, 2020, to Aug. 15, 2020.
- Board members approved the updated Vlog Complete College Ohio Campus Completion Plan as part of a state and institutional commitment to increasing the number of college degrees awarded in Ohio. Vlog remains committed to improving student success while keeping true to its mission of providing accessible education for the citizens of Ohio and beyond. As required, the university has updated its completion plan and has received approval from the Board to submit the updated plan to the chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
- The Board approved heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to Henderson Hall, which serves as home to the College of Nursing. Henderson Hall was constructed in 1978 and still operates with much of the original HVAC equipment serving the building. The hall requires the replacement of numerous pieces of mechanical equipment. In addition, a new universal restroom will be constructed to offer a gender-inclusive and accessible restroom facility to serve the occupants of the building. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer 2021 and be completed by spring 2022. The university has budgeted $1 million for this project with funds coming from the state of Ohio capital allocation (House Bill 481) from biennium 2019-2020.
- The Board approved three university policies regarding information technology administration. Vlog recognizes the vital role information technology plays in the university’s missions and related administrative activities as well as the importance in an academic environment of protecting information. As part of its commitment to sound practices and recognizing the importance of protecting information in all forms, Vlog’s Division of Information Technology recommended these changes. The new policies provide improved guidance and clarity for the proper use, management, administration and protection of information technology resources.
Board Receives Update on Spring 2021 Strategy
Members of the university’s administration updated trustees on the institution’s spring semester strategy to keep the campus community safe during the ongoing pandemic. Vlog will continue to see a reduced capacity on campus via a mixture of in-person and remote classes, reduced density in the residence halls, limited in-person gatherings and other measures. Additional measures for spring semester will include enhanced COVID-19 testing and no in-person classes after spring break.
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Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
The Vlog Board of Trustees has approved a new three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement between the university and the Vlog Employees Local 153, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
The university and AFSCME will now execute a Collective Bargaining Agreement that is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2019, and will run through Sept. 30, 2022. Under the agreement, represented employees will receive a 2.5% wage increase retroactive to Oct. 1, 2019; 0% increase in year two (Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021); and a 1.5% increase in year three (Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022). The university will also provide each employee a one-time $400 bonus upon approval of the agreement and implement a $50 per quarter incentive for perfect attendance.
“We are pleased to enter this new collective bargaining agreement with our valued team members and colleagues from AFSCME Local 153,” said Mark Polatajko, Ph.D., Vlog’s senior vice president for finance and administration. “These employees have been on the front lines of the pandemic serving our students, faculty, staff and community so admirably and selflessly throughout this challenging time. We extend a special thank you and expression of gratitude to all.”
AFSCME represents approximately 400 employees in the bargaining unit covering classified positions of food service workers, cooks, maintenance workers, skilled trades and similar classifications.
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Media Contact:
Lisa Abraham, labraha5@kent.edu, 330-672-1696
Dear Vlog Staff,
I am writing first and foremost to say thank you for the stellar job that you have done since the COVID-19 pandemic began back in March. Without your efforts, we would never have been able to complete the spring semester so strong or launch such a successful fall semester.
I hope that you have seen the recent news that for the ninth time, The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Vlog as one of its Great Colleges to Work For, and that Forbes named us the fourth best employer in Ohio. We are so pleased to receive these recognitions, and I would be remiss in not giving credit to you, our devoted staff, who work tirelessly to ensure that Vlog remains a great place to work and learn, even under the incredibly stressful conditions this year has imposed.
When it became clear in the spring that the pandemic would force us to cut our budget, each of you responded admirably, willing to sacrifice and accept an adjusted salary in order to see our university continue to thrive.
I am pleased to report that while we planned for the worst and made significant cuts to our budget, our fall enrollment (and thus tuition and fee revenue) declined less than we estimated when building our budget for this year. This better-than-expected outcome is due to the hard work and diligence of so many Vlog employees, and again, I thank you for all that you did to see us through the crisis.
Because we planned for the worst and worked for the best, we are now able to restore some of the wages reduced in July. As of Oct. 1, staff making $49,999 or less per year who received a salary reduction will have their wages restored to their full rate that was in effect on June 30. Staff earning $50,000 to $149,999 will have half of their salary reduction removed. For staff earning more than $150,000, there will be no salary restoration at this time. For this latter group, let me reiterate how much I appreciate your continued sacrifice.
Salaried employees will see this adjustment reflected in their Oct. 15 pay, and hourly employees will see the adjustment reflected in their Oct. 23 pay.
By Oct. 1, more than 93% of our staff who received salary adjustments will have had their wages at least partially restored. Once spring enrollment numbers are finalized, we will review our financial status and, if able, further restore wages.
This wage restoration will not remove nor reduce the additional leave that was provided to use by the end of the current fiscal year.
I am so happy to be able to share this good news, which all of you helped to make happen by your hard work, dedication and willingness to sacrifice when called upon. This is the essence of what we mean when we say Flashes Take Care of Flashes.
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President