Darrin Albaugh

The plan for Columbus State Community College's Delaware Campus focuses on expanding educational opportunities and enhancing student success. Key initiatives, commencing Fall 2025, include increasing academic offerings from 6 to 14 majors, enabling students to complete full degrees on campus, and establishing the campus as an innovation hub. The plan aims to provide debt-free degree pathways, strengthen workforce development partnerships for internships and job placement, and solidify the campus's role as the leading educational resource within Delaware County.

The meeting began with the certification of compliance and the swearing in of 2026 Board officers, including the Chair, Vice Chair, and Immediate Past Chair. Opening remarks were delivered by the Chair and the President, who introduced the student speaker, Ava Zellers, an engineering technology major. Key actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda items, which were previously discussed in committee. These items covered the Series 2026 Bond Resolution, Intent to Reimburse, Revised Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, Alternative Tax Budget Information, a Revised Project Overview for the Automotive Technology New Build, and a Construction Manager at Risk Contract GMP Amendment for OhioHealth Hall. Information-only items included the Capital Project Report and Financial Statements as of November 30, 2025. The President's Report highlighted trustee accomplishments, recognized new college deans and vice presidents, and presented preliminary enrollment results for the Spring Semester, noting a 6.4% increase in headcount over Spring 2025, driven primarily by continuing students. An update was also provided on discussions concerning a potential Life Sciences Center of Excellence. The Board later moved to executive session to discuss the purchase/sale of property and employment matters before adjourning.

The Committee of the Whole meeting included opening remarks welcoming new Board members. Key discussions involved referring several action items to the full Board of Trustees for approval: the Series 2026 Bond Resolution to fund a new Columbus State YMCA building, a Resolution of Intent to Reimburse up to $2.0 million for preliminary design expenditures related to the YMCA project, the revised Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget (adjusting revenues based on enrollment projections and reallocating reserves for YMCA design costs), and approval of alternative tax budget information for bond certification. Additionally, a revised project overview for the Automotive Technology New Build detailed plans for a new facility with an estimated budget of $27.2 million. The committee also considered authorizing the third and final guaranteed maximum price amendment for the OhioHealth Hall construction. Information-only items included the Capital Project Report, Financial Statements as of November 30, 2025, and Personnel Information. Current updates covered the student success dashboard timeline, involvement in a national Scaling Shortened Academic Terms Initiative, implementation progress of Senate Bill 1 requirements, and the plan to seek adoption of a curricular approval process in March. The committee convened in executive session to discuss negotiations, legal matters, and personnel considerations.

The agenda for the Board of Trustees meeting included essential procedural items such as Call to Order, Roll Call, Certification of Conformity, Swearing-In of Officers, and Opening Remarks. Key business items included the approval of the Consent Agenda, which covered the Series 2026 Bond Resolution for a partnership with the YMCA of Central Ohio involving up to $36 million in financing, an Intent to Reimburse for related preliminary expenditures, the Revised Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget reflecting a $2.5 million revenue decrease primarily due to lower-than-projected enrollment growth, and approval for capital expenditure adjustments. Information-only items included the Capital Project Report and Financial Statements as of November 30, 2025.

The meeting included opening remarks from the Chair reflecting on the college's 2025 accomplishments, such as achieving a balanced budget, accelerating the capital plan (including the groundbreaking of OhioHealth Hall), and announcing new partnerships. The reappointment of three trustees was followed by the administration of the oath of office. The consent agenda, which included items discussed in September 2025, was approved, covering topics such as establishing a Student Recreation Fee, naming spaces related to OhioHealth Hall, and approving new and revised policies related to faculty workload, separation from employment, space use, and establishing an American Civics Education Course, as well as property acquisition. Information-only items included a Capital Project Report and financial statements. The President's report highlighted achievements of staff and trustees, updates on campus visits, workforce housing project approval, and positive enrollment trends exceeding 40,000 distinct students in the prior academic year, with significant momentum in Autumn 2025. Enrollment and student success outcomes were detailed, noting improved gateway course success rates and retention rates, with the college joining the Scaling Shortened Academic Terms Initiative. New business focused on the recommendation and election of new officers for the Board of Trustees. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss confidential matters.