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McDavis Picked To Head Higher Education Funding Commission
By: Atish Baidya
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Ohio University President Roderick McDavis will head the newly formed Ohio Higher Education Funding Commission 2.0.
Governor John Kasich announced the appointment Friday at a press conference in Columbus.
"It is an honor to be named chair and I welcome the opportunity to lead the Higher Education Funding Commission," McDavis said during a press conference in Columbus. "I thank Governor Kasich and Chancellor Carey for their continued support and confidence in the higher education community."
McDavis will head the commission of college and university presidents that will recommend a list of priority projects for consideration in the new capital budget.
In 2011 Kasich urged the state’s 37 public colleges and universities to work together on a single list of recommended capital construction projects that identified the needs of the entire public higher education system in Ohio.
That first commission, led by former Ohio State University President Gordon Gee, compiled a list of recommendations for the use of capital funds. The result of this unprecedented process was widely applauded.
"Our new culture in higher education — where you all collaboratively work to solve some of our greatest challenges — has received national attention and I'm very proud of what we have accomplished together," Kasich said. "I appreciate your leadership over the past several years and we look forward to working with you to build upon what we have achieved to make our higher education system stronger and more unified."
McDavis said the first commission provided a clear roadmap to follow as the new group of presidents continues with the process of allocating the state's limited capital resources.
"The $400 million investment of the 2013-14 Capital Budget was critical to the higher education community being able to continue fulfilling its mission and providing a world class learning opportunity," he said. "But there are still many outstanding infrastructure projects that need to be accomplished as we educate today's students and prepare for those to come. I appreciate the governor’s confidence in us and look forward to working with my fellow presidents."