Trustees Approve Capital Investments, New Policies

Trustees Approve Capital Investments, New Policies

The University of Toledo Board of Trustees approved capital investments and the purchase of a new robotic surgery system, among other actions, at its final meeting of the calendar year.

The new DaVinci 5 robot approved for the University of Toledo Medical Center is a $3.5 million investment that will enhance the patient experience and health outcomes by expanding access to minimally invasive surgery. The new robotic surgery system will be deployed alongside UTMC's existing DaVinci Xi robot, expanding capacity for urology, colorectal, gynecological, thoracic and general surgeries at the hospital.

A unique feature of this next-generation DV5 model introduced in 2024 is what the manufacturer calls Force Feedback technology, which provides haptic feedback for the surgeons that creates a more tactile experience to allow them to feel the push and pull of the instrument on tissue during a surgery, explained Dr. Charles Callahan, executive vice president for health affairs and CEO of UToledo Health.

The new model also boasts 150 design innovations and 10,000 times more computing power. The new equipment also includes a training console supporting UToledo's medical education mission.

The UToledo Board of Trustees also approved financing for capital investments through a Series 2026A Bond with Huntington Bank to invest up to $40 million in facilities and infrastructure improvements.

The capital projects are aligned with the Campus Master Plan and include projects to support academic and research initiatives on both Main Campus and Health Science Campus. Improvements to Thompson Student Union, residence halls and the Student Recreation Center are included, as well as investment in athletics spaces and information technology upgrades. Clinical investments include equipment replacement and facility upgrades.

As required by the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, known as Ohio Senate Bill 1, trustees approved a number of new policies, including faculty workload, faculty annual performance evaluation, post-tenure review, tenure and retrenchment.

Trustees also approved a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc., that represents security officers on Health Science Campus. The agreement, which was ratified by the union membership in November, runs Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.

At the beginning of the meeting, Trustees recognized the women's volleyball team, men's cross country team and women's cross country team for their 2025 Mid-American Conference championships.