Board to feature University faculty excellence and feedback

What: University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting
When: Thursday, June 7 and Friday, June 8, 2018
Where: Sixth floor, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis

During its June meeting, the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents will hear the bi-annual report of the Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) from FCC chair Professor Joseph Konstan. The report profiles faculty members across the University system and shares faculty input on University governance.

The FCC report highlights seven Twin Cities and Duluth faculty: Kristen McMaster, UMTC College of Education and Human Development professor of educational psychology, who is focusing on data and evidence-based practices in special education; Nabil Matar, UMTC College of Liberal Arts professor in English, history and religious studies and expert on the relationship between the Islamic Mediterranean and Britain, Western Europe and the U.S.; Alison Hoxie, UMD Swenson College of Science and Engineering assistant professor of mechanical engineering and expert on atomization and resilient energy systems; Melissa Geller, UMTC Medical School associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who is advancing the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer; Michael Garwood, UMTC professor at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, Medical School, who is leading a $10.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to produce a portable MRI machine; Emily Gaarder, UMD College of Liberal Arts associate professor of sociology and anthropology who is building restorative justice programs for domestic violence; and Christine Baeumler, UMTC College of Liberal Arts associate professor of art who is engaging communities to raise awareness for ecological issues through art.

Professor Konstan plans to profile faculty from the other U of M campuses and colleges in future reports to the Board.

“Our faculty—through the diversity of their expertise and the caliber of their excellence—are an invaluable asset to not only this University and its students, but the entire state of Minnesota,” said Konstan. “It is an honor to showcase their merit and represent their viewpoints before the Board of Regents.”

Systemwide Strategic Plan: Teaching & Learning

The Board will also review the Teaching & Learning focus area of the Systemwide Strategic Plan, focusing on enrollment, the University’s value proposition, financial aid strategy, the development of formal academic pathway programs across the system, with Minnesota high schools and with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, collaborative academic planning both across the system and with external partners, online learning and student development.

This is the Board’s fourth presentation on the Systemwide Strategic Plan, which also includes sections on medicine and health, outreach and public service, research and supporting the mission.

The Board is also expected to:

• Take action on the President’s recommended fiscal year 2019 operating budget. The Board discussed the President’s recommended budget and accepted public input in May. In the interim, the University submitted several potential tuition models for consideration as requested by the Board. More information on the budget can be found here. 
• Receive a progress update from the Systemwide Enrollment Planning Taskforce. The discussion will focus on maximizing system undergraduate enrollment, optimizing enrollment at each of the University of Minnesota’s five campuses and meeting progress card goals for enrolling students and enhancing diversity. Presenters will describe the scope and purpose of the enrollment plan as well as the timeline and future steps. The Board has been engaged in systemwide enrollment planning conversations throughout the past year.  
• Spend time with Pet Away Worry & Stress (PAWS) animals. Boynton Health’s popular PAWS program allows members of the University community to interact with registered therapy animal teams to promote wellbeing and reduce stress. PAWS is held regularly throughout the academic year. More information on PAWS can be found here.

For more information, including future meeting times, visit the Regents website.