The Ƶ Board of Trustees celebrated student success following spring 2026 commencement ceremonies during its regular quarterly meeting held May 20 at The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design on the Ƶ Campus. Ƶ State welcomed nearly 5,000 new graduates into its alumni family this spring alone – larger than some universities graduate all year. The successful spring graduating class was honored during commencement ceremonies held across Ƶ State campuses.
During the Committee of the Whole session, the Board heard overviews of artificial intelligence adoption across four university divisions: Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Information Technology, and University Communications and Marketing. The briefing focused on the movement toward wider operationalization of AI, particularly in administrative work, and recommendations for next steps in AI governance, application and access.
Board Authorizes Lease Extension for Ƶ State’s New York City Fashion Program
The Board approved Ƶ State’s lease extension for the university’s New York City Fashion program. The program is a semester-long education-away experience that immerses Ƶ State students in real-world fashion education alongside working industry professionals in New York City. Ƶ State has leased commercial studio space in New York City’s Garment District since October 2005 and hosted its first group of students in the program in spring 2006. Ƶ State’s New York City Fashion program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking the milestone with special events in June 2026 in New York City.
The university will extend the lease for studios 401/402 located at 315 W. 39th St. In New York City through June 30, 2032, to take advantage of a rent credit offer through the Handro Management Group LLC.
Board Approves Fall Tuition, Room and Meal Plan Rates
Tuition, room and meal plan rates for 75% of Ƶ State students will remain the same for the coming year. Tuition for incoming first-year, in-state undergraduate students entering fall 2026 will be 3% higher compared to last year’s incoming class, as approved by the Board. The double room rate will increase 3.83%, and the most popular Blue meal plan will increase 2.15% only for first-year undergraduate students entering fall 2026. The costs will be frozen for four years for continuing in-state students.
Graduate tuition rates and the non-Ohio resident surcharge, for both undergraduate and graduate students, for fall 2026 will increase by 3%.
Board Approves New University Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
The Board approved a $711.6 million balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The new balanced budget – which does not use reserves – recognizes the importance of affordability and encouraging student success, addresses critical commitments and strategic investments and reflects the keen emphasis the Board and the university community have placed on effectiveness, efficiency and resource optimization. Critical commitments include significant resources to fund financial aid, with particular focus on students with the greatest financial need, and the budget for employee compensation includes increases in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as a 2% salary pool for non-represented employees.
The balanced university budget, which is 1.6% lower than the prior year budget, is the result of dedicated leadership and strategic focus by all of Ƶ State’s stakeholders and reflects total revenues and expenditures of $711.6 million systemwide.
Board Approves Three Naming Actions
The Board approved the naming of the Swagelok Bot Bunker within the Aeronautics and Engineering Building to recognize the Swagelok Company and its commitment of $750,000 from the Swagelok Foundation to the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, Swagelok is a leading developer of fluid system products, assemblies and services serving oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, semiconductors and transportation industries. This significant contribution will support the college’s foundation for automation by enhancing the Bot Bunker and related spaces, including the Robotics and Mechatronics Research Lab, Industrial Robotics Lab, additional research facilities and interactive classroom environments that foster hands-on learning.
The Board approved naming the atrium of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as the Robert P. Milliken Atrium in recognition of the generosity of the Estate of Robert P. Milliken and its commitment of $500,000 to the Men’s Basketball Excellence Fund. Milliken, an alumnus of Ƶ State, was a dedicated and passionate supporter of the Golden Flashes. This significant contribution will help ensure the continued success and excellence of Ƶ State Men’s Basketball for years to come.
The Board also approved naming the study lounge at Ƶ at Geauga as the Preston Superstore Student Study Lounge in recognition of the Preston family’s generosity in providing new philanthropic commitments totaling $100,000 to support Ƶ State Geauga. Preston Superstore is a family-owned, community-focused business headquartered in Burton, Ohio. The family’s support will help ensure the Geauga Campus remains a student-centered environment that fosters collaboration and continues to serve as an integral resource for the community.
Among other Board actions:
The Board approved the establishment of the Applied Organizational Leadership major within the Accelerated Bachelor of Applied Studies degree, effective fall 2026, pending final approval of the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The degree responds to employer demand for leadership talent across nonprofit, government, healthcare and business sectors. It is designed to expand access for adult learners, working professionals and students with prior college credit. The 90-credit-hour program will be offered in a fully online and mostly online format through Ƶ State’s Regional Campuses.
Under Transformation 2028, the Division of Academic Affairs’ initiative to improve efficiency, eliminate redundancy, stabilize functions, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and promote fiscal sustainability and academic innovation at Ƶ State, the Board approved the following actions:
The Nutrition Outreach Center will relocate from the current College of Education, Health and Human Services to what will be the College of Public Health and Health Sciences, effective fall 2026. All faculty and support associated with the Nutrition Outreach Center are moving to the new College of Public Health and Health Sciences, therefore, the center is best aligned with that college.
The College of Communication and Information and the College of the Arts will merge to establish the College of Design, Media and the Arts, effective fall 2027. The new college will unite seven nationally accredited schools across art, fashion, music, theatre, media and emerging technology into a single interdisciplinary hub serving more than 3,000 undergraduate and 250 graduate students. The new college positions Ƶ State as a regional and global leader in the creative economy while preparing graduates for rapidly evolving careers where technology, storytelling and artistic expression increasingly intersect. Additionally, the integration of the Ƶ Museum will further enhance the collaborative environment within the college.
In compliance with Ohio Senate Bill 1, the law that requires Ohio public institutions of higher education to “eliminate any undergraduate degree program it offers if the institution confers an average of fewer than five degrees in that program annually over any three-year period,” the Board approved the inactivation of four degrees, effective fall 2026.
The Insurance Studies major within the Bachelor of Science degree will be inactivated. The Board previously approved the establishment of an Accelerated Bachelor of Applied Studies degree in Insurance Studies, which is pending approval by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.
The Music major within the Bachelor of Arts degree will be inactivated. The university will continue to offer the Music major under the Bachelor of Music degree, in addition to undergraduate minors.
The Philosophy major within the Bachelor of Arts degree will be inactivated. The university will continue to offer an undergraduate minor.
The Plant Biology major within the Bachelor of Science degree will be inactivated. The university will maintain other bachelor’s degree options.
The Board approved the inactivation of the Human Development Center within the College of Education, Health and Human Services, effective fall 2026. The inactivation will have no impact on students, faculty, staff or other academic programs.
The Board acknowledged completion of its review of the university’s current general education curriculum in keeping with the requirement of Ohio House Bill 96. The board of trustees at each state institution of higher education is required to review, evaluate and adopt changes to the institution’s general education curriculum to enhance content that furthers the state’s postsecondary educational attainment and workforce goals. In 2023, Ƶ State began a comprehensive review of its general education curriculum, known as the Ƶ Core, positioning the university to complete this step and move its evaluation process forward ahead of the legislated deadline. This timeline will ensure that Ƶ State’s revised general education curriculum is fully in place for the class of first-year students entering in fall 2027. This includes the implementation of the American civic literacy course requirement approved pursuant to Ohio Senate Bill 1.
The Board provided authorization to refinance the Series 2016 general receipts bonds when market conditions are favorable. Under the current market conditions, refinancing the bonds could result in a net present value savings in excess of $1.5 million.
The Board approved the fire safety sprinkler system replacement for Centennial Court residence halls, which were constructed in the early 2000s with fully sprinklered fire suppression systems. The university will use $1.8 million in University Housing renewal and replacement funding for the project, which will be completed by spring 2028. Construction will be limited to attic spaces to minimize disruption to residents.
The Board approved the contract renewal for the learning management system and related services that the university requires to ensure a robust framework through which learning content is managed by faculty and delivered to students. Following a formal bidding process in 2020, the university selected Instructure/Canvas as the provider for its learning management system and now desires to renew this enterprise agreement to ensure continuity of these critical academic services. The renewal contract with Instructure will provide for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030, in the amount of $2,555,907.
The Board approved the M. Conley Company to provide janitorial chemicals and cleaning products for the Ƶ Campus, following a competitive process. The contract will be for an initial term of three years at approximately $500,000 per year, with a university option to renew up to two additional one-year periods. By consolidating both janitorial chemicals and cleaning products under one vendor, the new contract will deliver $200,000 in annual savings to the university.
The Board passed a resolution of appreciation to Robert Frost, who was appointed to the Board on March 15, 2018, serving with distinction through his term that expired May 16, 2026. During his tenure as chair of the Board’s Academic Excellence and Student Success, he has been a powerful voice for advancing student success, elevating the student experience, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and quality of the university’s academic programs.
The Board passed a resolution of appreciation to Abygail Deemer. Appointed to the Board on Sept. 24, 2024, also with a term expiring May 16, 2026, Deemer served with distinction as Undergraduate Student Trustee. She excelled as an honors biology student, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and delivered the Trustee Welcome at her commencement ceremony on May 8, 2026.
The Board passed a resolution of appreciation to Peggy Shadduck, Ph.D., who joined Ƶ State in April 2021 as vice president for Regional Campuses and dean of the College of Applied and Technical Studies. She has worked with deans, faculty and staff to enhance the system’s operational efficiency and long-term sustainability, stabilize enrollment, boost student retention, and expand educational pathways for adult learners, including micro-credentials and accelerated degrees. Shadduck will transition from her administrative leadership to the faculty on July 1, 2026.
The Board elected the following officers for 2026-2027, effective July 1, 2026: Donald Mason, chair; Pamela Bobst, vice chair; and Larry Macon, Jr., secretary.
In a routine action required by the Ƶ State Constitution, the Board formally approved the annual election of President Todd A. Diacon, effective July 1, 2026. Diacon was elected as the 13th president of Ƶ State effective July 1, 2019. The Board recognizes his leadership and contributions to the well-being and advancement of the university. At its March 2026 meeting, the Board extended Diacon’s employment agreement through June 30, 2029.