OPINION: Is Hugh for OU? An optimistic outlook for 2022-2023
Ohio University President Hugh Sherman, photographed in 2022.
Zach Donaldson is a sophomore studying political science and an opinion writer for The New Political.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.
This Wednesday, Ohio University President Hugh Sherman announced his platform for the upcoming academic year. Presented to the Student Senate, the four-pronged presentation included the Presidential Search Committee, goals for student retention and recruitment, expanded access to student mental health and counseling and increased initiatives on diversity and inclusion.
While some plans lacked an element of clarity and more could be satisfied in the efforts to address diversity and inclusion issues on campus, President Sherman has a good finger on the pulse for student and university needs, certainly a refreshing prospect after last semester.
First of his discussed plans was the Presidential Search Committee. Composed of a variety of different members including Mayor Steve Patterson, Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate, Presidents Dayna Shoulders and Kübra Civan, and a slew of other campus faculty and trustees, the group encompasses a variety of professional and academic perspectives. Sherman reported ambitious plans in national recruiting and advertising, with hopes for a shortlist of 8-10 candidates and final announcement in March.
Next, Sherman discussed student recruitment and retention, hoping to stabilize the number of students per class to 4,000. After a housing crisis and shortage on campus as a result of the largest freshman class in history this year, this number is a perfectly balanced benchmark: larger than years prior but considerably smaller than the class of 2026’s nearly 4,600 students. If the past few years are any indicator, Ohio U is in no shortage of qualified applicants. Increasing the competitiveness of admission while still maintaining a sizable class number will ensure that both the quality and quantity of education for students is at an all-time high.
After discussing enrollment, Sherman discussed the university’s bolstered efforts on addressing the mental health of students, including a partnership with Ohio Health and increased outreach to counselors and psychiatrists. I would have liked more specificity in the university’s direction and agenda in terms of expanding this network of resources, but am heartened to see such a central issue at the forefront of the administration.
Finally, Sherman addressed the major elephant in the room: diversity and inclusion. He highlighted programs such as the continued integration of the Make Respect Visible campaign into faculty and staff training and the creation of the President’s Student Cabinet for Inclusive Excellence. Sherman also plans to send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an external organization to audit the university’s standards and practices on diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide them recourse and strategy going forward. I am pleased with the proposed audit, and think the cabinet is a fantastic first step for platforming the voices of students as it relates to issues of identity. That being said, I question the efficacy of the Make Respect Visible campaign, and would still like to see a closer nexus of communication between university leadership and its students in the best way of continuing to protect and uplift marginalized voices on campus. If Ohio U is serious about building a more welcoming environment for all identities, I recommend they send out surveys for direct student feedback on practices like Make Respect Visible, and open up more public conversations with those they serve.
