DAYTON — Local four-year universities last week grappled with gauging their next steps as Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut forges ahead with a 10-year master plan that will create new goals, rules and funding for how they operate.

Fingerhut will meet with university presidents to assess colleges' strengths and roles in the state's economic and education future.

Miami University President David Hodge wasn't ready to talk about how the Oxford-based institution dubbed the "public Ivy League of Ohio" will move forward until he gets clarifications from Fingerhut, spokeswoman Carole Johnson said.

A spokeswoman at Central State University in Wilberforce said the school needs to figure out how its mission as a historically black university fits into the state's goals.

"We have truly taken the lead in identifying our goals. ... But now we need to work with the chancellor's office to understand the state's measurements before we can present our 'specialty,' " said Fran Robinson.

Wright State University said it is uniquely positioned to do the required goal-setting because it's kicking off a strategic plan for meshing with Ohio's economic development.

Fingerhut said he will draft a plan by January and legislation will be introduced in the spring.