Oakland University’s Board of Trustees (BOT) held its first Fall 2026 semester meeting on Feb. 13. 

OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz presented key initiatives, such as the Glenn McIntosh “Passion, Purpose and Perseverance” Leadership Award and the OU Pledge. She also addressed recent challenges —the December High Temperature Hot Water System leak and the Feb. 5 stabbing — amid rising tensions on the data center proposal and OUCMT compensation. 

“We’ve had a slightly bumpy winter so far, but I do feel that we are in a stronger position,” Pescovitz said. “I always acknowledge when significant issues occur, and we are always transparent about discussing them.”

President’s Report

With nearly 1200 students graduating during Fall 2025 commencement, Pescovitz provided strategic updates and achievements for the Strategic Vision 2030, which aims to foster excellence at OU. The launch of a scholarship in commemoration of the late Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Glenn McIntosh opened the floor for celebration. 

As a baseline for the project, the university conducted an employee engagement survey to address strengths and opportunities amongst staff. 

“People told us that they have significant job satisfaction and feel that they are supported,” Pescovitz said. “There are opportunities for improvement as well, and these include opportunities to have greater confidence in our senior leadership. They told us that they would like greater leadership development opportunities. There is a perception that our culture can be improved as well.”

The creation of a University Culture Committee addressing the community needs coincided with the launch of the first college retention initiative. The retention plan, led by Provost Amy Thompson, has been in motion since 2025 and will continue until 2028.

The Cultural Ambassadors Initiative was also advanced by the Spirit of Place Public Arts Competition to invite the community to pitch a permanent artwork on campus. With open applications for everyone, the university invited the community to send proposals by March 20.

Community Changemaker Challenge Grants

Launched last semester, the grant program offers two, two-year grants of up to $200,000 for projects addressing pressing problems and supporting the local community. The pilot funding was only granted to projects that demonstrated long-term sustainability, choosing only three out of 27 applicants. 

“The first one is entitled ‘Elevating local community-based independent living with Internet of Robotic Things for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,’” Pescovitz said. “[The second] project is called ‘Protecting communities from synthetic opioids, the development of the E-NARC, portable detection platform, another very important community project.’”

The third pilot proposal, a partnership model between Lighthouse Pontiac and OU, was “Strengthening mental health access for youth experiencing housing instability.”

OU Pledge: One-year anniversary

Senior Director of the Career and Life Design Center (CLDC) Wayne Thibodeau provided updates on the university’s commitment to provide all students with internships, service learning and research opportunities. A new landing page with searchable programs and the Feb. 5 Winter Career fair were some of the advances made to offer over 700 students opportunities with 97 employers.

To maintain the momentum of being number two in the state for social mobility, Thibodeau addressed the BOT to help students secure employment quicker and with higher salaries as the CLDC expands the program in the months to come.

“We invite you to support this mission by sharing internships or full-time opportunities, making referrals or even facilitating introductions — and I can take that on — which can expand career pathways for our students,” Thibodeau said. 

Trustee Joe Jones leaves for Ferris State University

Appointed in Sept. 202 and serving as chair and vice chair of the BOT, Joe Jones was designated as Trustee Emeritus by the board as he prepared to become Vice President of West Michigan Engagement at Ferris State University.

During his time at OU, he enabled the approval of the new Master of Science programs and three new Bachelor of Science programs, as well as the hiring of the new Provost and renovation of O’Dowd Hall.

“I want to say that on this day, you too are my people,” Jones said. “And there’s a word in Hebrew, a word that’s called ‘ami,’ and it means my people, and that is what you all have become, and what you will always be my people, thank You.”

New Items for Consideration/Action

Three individuals addressed the board regarding the proposed data center set to be built on P35 and which is now entering a feasibility study with a 120 day-deadline after signing a partnership with Fairmount Properties. The project is planned to be presented at the April  BOT meeting to enter the due diligence process. Before then, DTE has to verify the levels of energy available for the project, a business plan has to be consolidated and the site secured.

“For students in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, this data center would be a transformative asset,” Jadon Kobus, a mechanical engineering major, said. “It provides direct exposure to enterprise-scale infrastructure, something that simply cannot be replicated in a standard classroom.”

Clover DeVore, one of the many students leading the opposition to the data center, called for the cancellation of the entire project, with 1500 signatures in support of the demand. Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Louay M. Chamra spoke in support of the project, asking to relocate it out of respect for the Native American Heritage Site.

Four members of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) Campus Maintenance and Trades union also addressed the board as they continue contract negotiations for operations and maintenance workers.

“That’s OOUCMT, we’re the parts under the hood. We keep the engine from locking up. Every day we show up, fix problems and keep things moving, Maria Shaner, union member, said. “When an engine is pushed harder, you keep adding more of a load, expecting more performance, while refusing to maintain it and ignore the parts that make it run, it fails. We are not asking for fancy upgrades. We’re asking for basic maintenance, fair pay, respect, a contract that shows that you understand what keeps this place alive and running.”

Ray Jahn and Greg Meehan, members of the maintenance and trades union, provided testimony of workers leaving OU due to low wages and deteriorating working conditions. They highlighted the prolonged instability that the negotiations can cause for workers.

“Our goal has always been to reach a settlement that recognizes the essential nature of our work and the human dignity of those who perform it,” Dylan Baade, union leader, said. “Regrettably, the administration does not seem to share the same mindset. Instead of seeking a partnership, the administration appears focused solely on securing the cheapest price tag possible.”