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Controlling Board approves $1.2 million release for Central State; OKs OFCC campus assessment
Summary
The State Controlling Board approved a $1.2 million amended release to Central State University to finish critical infrastructure work, and authorized a separate $236,000 Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) contract to perform a campus-wide facility assessment and prioritization.
President Schueller and board members approved two related items affecting Central State University after testimony from Jacqueline Gamblin, chair of Central State’s board of trustees. Gamblin said the university partnered with the Department of Administrative Services to identify critical facility needs and had reduced its request from $4,000,000 to $1,200,000, noting the funds would address the near-complete fire suppression work in one residence hall, urgent HVAC issues and restroom repairs tied to water intrusion.
"We have, partnered with DAS to assist us with identifying the critical issues that are related to our infrastructure and facilities," Gamblin said, identifying the fire suppression system, HVAC and restroom work as top priorities. Senator Wilkin pressed Gamblin on why prior fire-suppression funding did not finish, and Gamblin said the initial vendor did not complete the work and the university “has hired another vendor” and is reviewing remedies with general counsel.
The board took up a related Ohio Facilities Construction Commission contract to fund a campus-wide assessment by Thomas Porter Architects, an effort board staff said would identify and prioritize facilities needs across phases with initial deliverables due by December and subsequent phases by January–February. AJ Thomas, OFCC legislative liaison, described the fire-suppression work as an exigent item that must proceed immediately while the assessment establishes broader priorities.
Senator Ingram urged the university and OFCC to seek contract closeout remedies and to manage the OFCC engagement so it comes in under budget. The board heard no objections and approved both items by voice consent.
The board combined the two items for discussion but treated the fire-suppression completion and the OFCC assessment as distinct actions: the $1.2 million release funds immediate life-safety repairs, while the OFCC contract will create a prioritized list of needed projects across campus to guide future work. Follow-up on vendor accountability and contract closeout was described as pending at the university and OFCC.
