U of M Board of Regents to discuss campus-level strategic planning with Morris leadership

As the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and administrative leadership launch into the first full academic year of the new systemwide strategic plan, MPact 2025, leaders from the University’s Morris campus will meet with the Board Wednesday to discuss campus-level strategic approaches. The discussion is the last in a four-part series that also included similar conversations with leadership from the Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester campuses to examine opportunities and challenges, both locally and systemwide.

Morris distinguishes itself as a national leader in collaborative and innovative liberal arts education, as a campus committed to access for all and to a sustainable future (notably exemplified in (The Morris Model), and as a place that fosters and inspires a diverse community to connect its passions with meaningful futures. Acting Executive Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause and Acting Chancellor Janet Schrunk Ericksen will share campus-level data that illustrates this distinctive identity. For example, Morris promotes and enjoys a high level of student engagement. Its seniors were more engaged with its campus than national peer averages, specifically with regard to participation in co-curricular activities, working on campus, holding leadership roles in student groups or attending on-campus events. 

The discussion will also consider the demographics of that engaged student body and the Morris campus’ history of enrolling many students from traditionally underserved backgrounds, an aspect of the campus perhaps best known through its American Indian tuition waiver program. Thirty-four percent of Morris students are first-generation college students and 42 percent are American Indian, Hispanic, Asian or African American. 

The presentation will highlight how Morris’ campus commitments intersect with MPact 2025’s five overarching commitments and honor the University’s core commitment to student success. The Morris campus commitments are:

• Public liberal arts for the future — building the model 21st-century public liberal arts college.
• Excellence for everyone —  fostering capacity with respect to community, culture, climate and governance.
• Vital campus community — ensuring a sustainable and stable University community.
• Engaging with the region, state and beyond — Morris as a leader and partner for tomorrow.

Wednesday’s discussion is also expected to highlight campus challenges that may lie ahead and how the University system can support the Morris campus’ work. For example, strategic enrollment continues to be a focus, with the campus setting a “right size” target of 1,700 degree-seeking students. Campus leaders emphasize the need for continued investment and expansion of systemwide collaborations around the visibility and distinctiveness of the University’s five campuses. Along similar lines, leaders will also express the need for ongoing resource-sharing where shared service and collaboration could create efficiencies.

As part of its July meetings, the Board is also expected to:

• Recognize the University’s outgoing chief auditor Gail Klatt, who is retiring after 27 years of University service. The Board will also charge a search committee to advise the Board on its selection of  a new chief auditor.
• Receive an annual update from the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
• Receive an update on master planning from the Twin Cities campus.
• Discuss initial findings and recommendations from the Positioned for Excellence, Alignment and Knowledge (PEAK) Initiative, a systemwide effort to identify opportunities across non-academic functions and increase efficiency or gain capacity to advance the University’s teaching, research and outreach mission.

For more information, including future meeting times, visit regents.umn.edu.