Excellence to Eminence

Investments in Ohio State's Culture Transformation Strategy

By Julie Snyder, Senior Director of Human Resources
Anne Massaro, Director of Culture Delivery

In this time of tightening resources, people understandably are asking how the university is using its resources. To continue to foster openness and trust, here is some information about how the University's culture transformation project is financed.

• We have a five-year Enterprise Agreement with Senn Delaney to use their intellectual property. This Enterprise Agreement was signed on May 1, 2009, and was paid for in two installments on July 1, 2009. and July 1, 2010. Today, we are paying nothing to use the Senn Delaney materials.
• Because of the Enterprise Agreement with Senn Delaney, Ohio State has no financial obligation to Senn Delaney when materials are used or culture retreats are held. 
• Ohio State has purchased retreat materials (journals, Be Here Now plaques, posters, “blue” chips) in bulk. Purchasing in bulk reduces the cost of these materials. The material expenses for FY 11 retreats were paid in FY 10. We are in the process of determining how many retreats will take place in FY 12 and the cost of those materials. 
• Retreat expenses such as room rental and food are born by the department/college/group sponsoring the retreat. The specific facility and caterer used determine these expenses. In 2009 the President’s Council requested that all culture retreats be held on campus so that the money spent on retreats remains “in house.”
• Salaries and benefits for 4.25 FTE are associated with the Culture Transformation Strategy.
• All facilitators, strategists and culture action team members have paid jobs at Ohio State and assume these roles as volunteers, in addition to their paid positions.
• Ohio State contracted with Senn Delaney for consulting services in FY 11. The University has already paid for these services although consulting hours/days remain unused. Each time a Senn Delaney Consultant is at Ohio State we pay for reimbursable expenses such as travel, hotel accommodation and food.
• The Office of Human Resources has no plan to contract with Senn Delaney for consulting services in FY 12.


February 28, 2011