Ohio Rev. Code § 3345.181: Contracts or leases to mine minerals.

The board of trustees of a state university, by majority vote, may make, execute, and deliver contracts or leases to mine minerals upon lands under the supervision of the board, to any person or public entity that complies with the terms prescribed by the board. Such contracts or leases shall not operate as a conveyance of the fee to any part of the realty.

The board may use the proceeds derived from its actions under this section for the furthering of any of the purposes of the university.