U of M Board of Regents to discuss key areas of future planning

What: University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting
When: Thursday and Friday, February 11 and 12, 2016
Where: Sixth Floor, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis

The February agenda for the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents is highlighted by discussions central to the strategic positioning of the U for years to come.

At its meeting February 11 and 12, the Board will discuss:
a five-year (2016-2021) undergraduate enrollment plan for the Twin Cities campus.
The plan proposes specific targets and strategies to ensure the U of M continues to:

• attract the best and brightest students from Minnesota;
• maintain financial access and affordability, a diverse student body and strong need-based and merit-based financial aid programs;
• keep resident tuition and fee rates as low as possible; and
• offer a high quality student experience.

long-term land development and a vision for key areas of the Twin Cities campus.
Informed by existing and emerging University needs, a proposed framework will define goals for the desired future of the campus. Planning and development along the eastern edge of the East Bank campus, including a long-range, 30-year vision for the Academic Health Center and residential housing needs, will be discussed.

strategic  planning for the Law School.
The U of M Law School, like many law schools nationwide, faces continued challenges. This conversation will focus on enrollment trends, the job market for lawyers, recent trends in revenues and expenditures for the U of M Law School, and strategies employed by the University and the Law School to address financial pressures while ensuring continued academic excellence.

Gopher Athletics Updates
The Board’s Audit and Compliance Committee will discuss progress on implementation of recommendations from the recent external review and internal audit of the Gopher Athletics Department. President Eric Kaler announced an action plan in December 2015. Additionally, the Finance Committee will receive a broad overview of revenues, expenditures and University investments in the Athletics Department. 

The Board will also:

• review a resolution affirming support for academic freedom and the ability of University faculty to use human fetal tissue in research, in accordance with state and federal laws.
• vote to accept the 2015 Annual Plan, Performance and Accountability Report, which outlines ways the University is delivering on its mission of teaching, research and outreach.
• examine results of the 2015 employee engagement survey, which saw a record response rate (67 percent) from faculty and staff system wide. Key patterns, trends and findings will be discussed.
• consider schematic designs of the Veterinary Isolation facility in St. Paul, which will allow Minnesota to become a leader in infectious diseases research and will protect the health of Minnesotans and livestock. In 2015, the State of Minnesota provided $18 million to support this new facility.
• receive an update on Operational Excellence progress, in the areas of human resources, finance and procurement and information technology. The status of President Kaler’s commitment to reallocate $90 million in administrative costs by 2019 will also be discussed.

Committee meetings will begin at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, February 11. The full Board will meet at 8:45 a.m. Friday, February 12.

The Board will also hold a winter retreat on Wednesday, February 10.

More information can be found on the Regents website.