Here's what Ohio State President Kristina Johnson said at her last board meeting

In her final address to the full board of trustees as Ohio State University's president, Kristina M. Johnson stressed the university's excellence — excellence in research, excellence in operations and excellence in talent and culture.

Trustees, who met in committees throughout the week at the Longaberger Alumni House culminating in a full public board meeting Thursday afternoon, also heard updates on university development projects and received a record-setting donation from an Ohio State alumnus, among other items.

Here's a look at what happened at this week's board meetings:

Johnson touts achievements in her final report to the board

In late November, Johnson shocked the Ohio State community when news spread of her plans to step down as president just halfway through her contract.

The president and university have shared little publicly since her resignation about what really happened. The Dispatch has since reported details of a power struggle between Johnson and Wexner Medical Center Chair Les Wexner and other behind-the-scenes turmoil that led to the president’s split from the university.

For subscribers:Power struggle: Sources vary on clash between Ohio State's Kristina Johnson and Les Wexner

Johnson set an ambitious agenda within her first few months at Ohio State, one that some trustees and members of her cabinet did not agree with, sources told The Dispatch.

"Perhaps others thought the agenda too challenging or too demanding personally," Johnson wrote in an op-ed published in The Dispatch Wednesday, "but I won’t apologize for pushing us all to achieve the levels of performance our students and community deserve."

Opinion:OSU's Kristina Johnson: 'I won’t apologize for pushing us all to achieve' levels deserved

There were no hard feelings in her final report to the board of trustees Thursday. Rather, she spent about 10 minutes touting the achievements of her five strategic priorities.

Johnson noted Ohio State's jump in the National Science Foundation's Higher Education Research and Development Survey rankings for research and development. In December, the university rose from 24th to the 12th-best U.S. university, public or private, for research and development.

Ohio State also set a new record for research and development expenditures, $1.38 billion in fiscal year 2022. That amount represents a 11.7% increase over last fiscal year and moves the university closer to doubling its research expenditures in this decade.

Johnson also acknowledged more than a dozen university researchers, professors and executives who were recently recognized for achievements in their fields of study or were promoted to leadership positions.

In closing, Johnson asked Buckeyes to continue focusing on the university's collective excellence.

"Ohio State continues to set new standards for excellence," she said. "And with the generosity of alumni and friends ... there is really no telling what Buckeyes can achieve in the future."

Ohio State plans for challenges facing future generations of Buckeyes

Melissa Shivers, Ohio State's senior vice president for student life, discussed at the Academic Affairs & Student Life committee Wednesday what challenges are facing the next generation of Buckeyes and what opportunities they might bring.

Generation Z (born 1997 to 2012) and Generation Alpha (born 2013 to 2027) are more racially diverse than previous generations, care deeply about equity and sustainability, come to school with less work experience and might not be as socially adept because so many of their interactions take place online, Shivers said.

Another big difference? There are fewer of them.

As birth rates continue to decline with each subsequent generation, higher education is bracing itself for a "demographic cliff," Shivers said. Student populations are expected to begin their decline in 2026 and could dip by as much as 15% by 2029. That means more institutions will be fighting for fewer students.

"So far, Ohio State continues to see strong numbers of applicants ... but we may not always be able to depend on the quantity we've enjoyed when the numbers simply aren't there," Shivers said.

Improving mental health services is one major investment that could improve the student experience. While students' mental health issues have been around long before the pandemic, Shivers said the pandemic certainly exacerbated some.

The Office of Student Life also is working on a partnership with the Office of Administration & Planning to reevaluate spaces on campus and update students' living and learning conditions to meet their wants and needs.

Some campus construction projects lagging behind schedule

Three major campus construction projects are either behind schedule, over budget or both, Vice President of Facilities Operations and Development Mark Conselyea told trustees Thursday morning at the Master Planning & Facilities committee meeting.

The Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care West Campus — a 385,000-square foot facility that will include a surgical center, proton therapy and medical office space — is expected to welcome its first patients this fall. But the board approved an additional $7 million in auxiliary funds to pay for the project to settle subcontractor complaints, Conselyea said. The total project budget now sits at $356.5 million.

Construction of the nearly $300 million new Combined Heat & Power Plant has pushed its completion date once more. The plant, which will eventually power Carmenton and is expected to significantly cut carbon emissions, was already delayed and over budget because of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

After stopping construction last summer following the dismissal of its previous contractor, work on the plant with a new contractor resumed in October. The plant, which was expected to open in December 2023, is now expected to be completed by February 2024.

The board approved an additional $13.4 million to upgrade HVAC infrastructure at the Martha Morehouse Tower. That project is currently delayed because of code issues.

Trustees also approved Ohio State's request to expand its athletic campus and construct a new ice rink to house the men's and women's hockey teams near the Covelli Center, Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium and the Ty Tucker Tennis Center off Fred Taylor Drive. The university is seeking to fundraise $2.7 million for the facility, which would open in 2026.

OSU officials mourn, discuss Michigan State University shooting

The Michigan State University community was on the minds of many Ohio State executives and trustees throughout the week following a fatal campus shooting Monday evening that left three students dead and five others in critical condition.

Johnson encouraged students and faculty struggling with the news to reach out to the university for support.

"Just as we are here to support our friends in East Lansing in the wake of this senseless act of violence, we're here to support each other," she said.

Nearly 500 Ohio State students call Michigan home, and Shivers told trustees that the Office of Student Life sent an email to each of them to say they were thinking of them and could connect them with resources if needed.

Shivers choked up during the Academic Affairs & Student Life committee meeting as she read an email sent by the parents of one such student, whose brother attended MSU and was shaken up by the shooting. The parents were grateful for Ohio State's initiative in reaching out to their daughter.

More:'This is real, this is scary': Granville native Liz Hedger recalls Michigan State shooting

Vice President of Administration and Planning Jay Kasey, at the Master Planning & Facilities meeting, shared a list of student safety initiatives the university has taken up in the last two years. But even the best laid plans can't prevent everything, he said.

"This was a senseless, terrible tragedy that could happen here," Kasey said.

Ohio State has experienced its own tragedies in recent years. In November 2016, a student was shot and killed on campus after he struck a group of pedestrians with a car and then got out and tried to attack people with a machete. And in October 2020, fifth-year student Chase Meola was fatally shot at a party at an off-campus residence, sparking calls for action from parents and students.

Trustee Alex Fisher praised Ohio State's collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies, and applauded the work Kasey and Johnson have done related to safety in the last two years.

"This is a reminder of just how important this work is," he said.

Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for her Mobile Newsroom newsletter here and Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here.

shendrix@dispatch.com

@sheridan120

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here's what Ohio State President Johnson said at last board meeting