(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Information technology center" means a center established under section 3301.075 of the Revised Code.

(2) "State institution of higher education" and "state university" have the same meanings as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(B) Not later than June 30, 2018, all state institutions of higher education that are located in the same region of the state, as defined by the chancellor of higher education, shall enter into an agreement providing for the creation of a compact. Under that agreement, the compact shall do all of the following:

(1) Examine whether unnecessary duplication of academic programming exists;

(2) Develop strategies to address the workforce education needs of the region;

(3) Enhance the sharing of resources between institutions to align educational pathways and to increase access within the region. For these purposes, the compact shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide and share resources and programming to improve academic performance and opportunities to address the workforce needs of the region;

(b) Identify, develop, and implement shared curriculum and resources to promote educational pathways that minimize the time required to earn a degree. This may include, but is not limited to, curriculum delivered using open educational resources and online formats.

(c) Analyze operational costs and implement cost-effective procedures that support greater access and opportunities for students in the region.

(4) Reduce operational and administrative costs to provide more learning opportunities and collaboration in the region;

(5) Enhance career counseling and experiential learning opportunities for students;

(6) Expand alternative education delivery models such as competency-based and project-based learning;

(7) Develop a strategy to increase collaboration and pathways with information technology centers, adult basic and literacy education programs, and school districts in the region;

(8) Develop strategies to enhance the sharing of resources between institutions to improve and expand the capacity and capability for research and development;

(9) Identify and implement the best use of university regional campuses to reflect the goals described in division (B) of this section.

(C) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a state institution of higher education from entering into multiple agreements under division (B) of this section. Additionally, there is no limit to the number, or the number of each type, of state institutions of higher education that may enter into an agreement under that division.

(D) In addition to any agreement entered into pursuant to division (B) of this section, each state institution of higher education that is designated a land grant college under the federal "Morrill Act of 1862," 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq., or the "Agricultural College Act of 1890," 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq., or any subsequent act of congress, also shall to enter into an agreement providing for the creation of a compact that enhances collaboration between state institutions designated as land grant colleges.

(E) Each state institution of higher education shall include in its annual efficiency report to the chancellor the efficiencies produced as a result of each compact to which the institution belongs.

Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.