Acknowledgments
This report was first mandated by legislation passed in May 2007. However, work truly got underway in earnest after the passage of the FY008-09 state budget and the issuance of Governor Strickland’s Executive Directive creating the University System of Ohio on August 2, 2007. Since that time, I have been deeply fortunate to have the assistance of people and organizations across the state and nation too numerous to list. I would surely leave someone out if I tried. I hope that those who care enough to read this page and who had a hand in the ideas contained in this report will know how much I appreciate their help - and their patience.
Throughout the process, I said that I would seek ideas from every source. Yet in the final analysis, I would decide what to recommend to Governor Strickland for inclusion in the report. Therefore, I wish to give credit to others for ideas that were not mine, but take responsibility for the final version as presented.
Governor Strickland’s support has been exceptional throughout the preparation of this report. He has set a clear direction for higher education, and welcomed ideas that help fill out that vision. He has also assembled an extraordinary staff and Cabinet, many of whom were deeply involved in the preparation of this report.
Members of the Ohio General Assembly have been supportive and helpful both publicly and privately. The educational opportunities that present themselves in Ohio today are the result of their hard work this past year. I must particularly thank the leadership of Speaker Husted, Senate President Harris, Minority Leaders Beatty, Miller and former Leader Fedor, and their staffs, for the countless hours they have spent on this project. I am grateful for the advice and support of the presidents of our public institutions, both individually and through their associations, the Inter- University Council of Ohio and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. They have shouldered the added burden of explaining these emerging conversations to their campus constituencies. Ohio is fortunate to have such talented leaders. The same is true of Ohio’s adult workforce leaders, who have become a part of the University System of Ohio, and who will play an important role in the implementation and success of this plan.
I have also been fortunate to work with many of the presidents and other leaders of Ohio’s private institutions and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio. I look forward to continuing the constructive dialogue we have established.
Faculty and staff of both public and private colleges and universities, individually and through their associations, have contributed to our thinking. Many of the best ideas in this report came from them.
The business community played a significant role in developing elements of this report. I am particularly grateful to the Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy for its commitment to this project.
Finally, the Ohio Board of Regents, both members and staff, deserve credit for much of the work reflected here. This report will accelerate the implementation of existing efforts as well as introduce fresh ideas to further the direction of Governor Strickland and the General Assembly in meeting the educational needs of the state. I am privileged to work with them all.
Eric Fingerhut
