<p>Trustees tout academic, financial advances; CFO to recommend full 3.5% tuition hike</p>
<p>LANTERN>Campus
By Gordon Gantt
Updated: Friday, April 8, 2011 16:04</p>
<p>Despite a looming budget storm that could include tuition increase recommendations, the Ohio State University Board of Trustees concluded their spring meetings with an optimistic tone.</p>
<p>Trustees repeatedly commented on the university’s positive momentum, citing strong development economically and in academics after two days of discussion on campus construction projects, strategic planning and a review of university finances.</p>
<p>The board voted to release $111.3 million to fund the medical center expansion. The group also approved a design change adding a 20th floor to the now $1.1 billion medical center. A $100 million federal grant awarded in December will fund the addition which will house the radiology/oncology unit.</p>
<p>A comprehensive fundraising campaign was also approved with a working goal of $2.5 billion by June 2016. The board said they expect to raise between 40 and 50 percent of the overall goal by the end of 2012. Since the beginning of the year, they have raised about $296 million, including the $100 million gift from Leslie H. Wexner and The Limited Brands Foundation.</p>
<p>OSU Chief Financial Officer Geoffrey Chatas said the university recorded $2.2 billion in total revenue in the first six months of fiscal year 2011. That is a six percent increase over the same period last year.</p>
<p>Final tuition decisions for fall 2011 will be made during the June board meeting, but Chatas said he plans to recommend the full 3.5 percent increase in undergraduate tuition as Gov. John Kasich‘s budget proposal allows.</p>
<p>Source: [</a>" + artTitle.replace(“-”,“”) + " - " + “The Lantern” + " - " + “Campus” + "](<a href=“http://www.thelantern.com/campus/trustees-tout-academic-financial-advances-cfo-to-recommend-full-3-5-tuition-hike-1.2150357]”>http://www.thelantern.com/campus/trustees-tout-academic-financial-advances-cfo-to-recommend-full-3-5-tuition-hike-1.2150357)</p>