Board of Trustees approved new policies & honored BOT members’ service
At the December 2, 2025, meeting of the Cincinnati State Board of Trustees, five new policies that affect all full-time faculty members and some aspects of College academic operations were approved for submission to the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).
The new policies are requirements of the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (also known as Senate Bill 1 or SB1), which went into effect in June 2025. All public colleges and universities in Ohio must submit their new policy statements to ODHE no later than Dec. 31, 2025. The policies include:
- Faculty Annual Performance Evaluation Policy
- Faculty Workload Policy
- Tenure Policy
- Post-Tenure Review Policy
- Retrenchment Policy
(Click to download a PDF with the five policy statements)
Provost Robbin Hoopes said the new policy statements, which will go into effect when the current AAUP contract expires in August 2026, were developed in collaboration with Cincinnati State AAUP President Abbey Yee and Vice President Julie McLaughlin.
Provost Hoopes said much of the policy language for Workload, Tenure, and Retrenchment is the same as the current AAUP contract language, with some adjustments that are required by provisions of SB 1. He said the policy regarding Faculty Annual Performance Review is “substantively the same” as current policy language related to annual performance reviews, and the Post-Tenure Review policy reflects the College’s “long history of quality oversight and corrective action if needed.”
Trustee Chairperson John Silverman expressed the Board’s appreciation for the work of the College’s faculty members, and Trustee Justin Howe said that meetings held between faculty and Board members in recent years have been a “fabulous collaboration” focused on “solving problems together.” Howe added, “The Board wants to confirm our appreciation and support for the College’s faculty.”
Chair Silverman also thanked Provost Hoopes for the “heavy lift” involved in timely preparation of the new policies required by SB1.
Provost Hoopes’ report to the Board included an update on programs recently involved in seeking or reaffirming their professional accreditation, including the Law & Paralegal degree and certificate programs, the Dietetic Technology program, the Certified Nurse Aide Training certificate program, and the associate degree Nursing program, which was reaccredited in Dec. 2025 for a five-year period.
Board commends Walton & Silverman for their service
In addition to other regular business, the Board presented Resolutions of Appreciation to Mark Walton for 30 years of Board service and to Chair Silverman for 10 years of service.
Mr. Walton was commended for his achievements and contributions as a 1978 graduate of the College, a community leader, an advocate for student success, and his “extraordinary leadership and support to advance the mission, vision, and values of the College”
(Read the Resolution of Appreciation for Mark Walton)
Mr. Silverman was commended for his service to the College and other community organizations, noting his “insight, savvy, leadership, and the love he has for this community,”
(Read the Resolution of Appreciation for John Silverman)
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2026.