U of M Board of Regents to review recommendations from Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the Medical School

What: University of Minnesota Board of Regents meetings
When: Thursday, Feb. 12 and Friday, Feb. 13, 2015
Where: Sixth floor, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis
 
Media note: A briefing for media on the recommendations regarding UMore Park, that will be brought to the Board for action, will be held on Wednesday, February 11 from 1:30 – 2 p.m. in the East Committe room of the Board of Regents office on the 6th floor of McNamara. Please RSVP to Steve Henneberry.
 
A $30 million investment in the University of Minnesota Medical School included in Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s proposed budget will help recruit and retain top faculty, attract the best medical students and meet the health needs of all Minnesotans.
 
The University’s Board of Regents will review the findings and recommendations of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the Medical School at its meetings, Feb. 12-13. The Board will then consider a resolution to revise the University’s 2016-17 biennial budget request to include Governor Dayton’s proposed investment and modify its existing request for the Healthy Minnesota initiative, which aims to address health care workforce shortages and improve health across Minnesota. In October, the Board approved the U’s full 2016-17 biennial budget request, which also includes a tuition freeze for all resident students, plan to address facility renovation and repair funding and support vibrant communities.
 
Dayton’s plan would help the University hire 50 top researchers over the next eight years, creating Medical Discovery Teams to address the state's most pressing health concerns, helping attract new National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and support clinical research needs.
 
Currently, the Medical School ranks 30th nationally in NIH funding. The goal is to be in the top 20 in the next five to eight years.
 
“The University of Minnesota plays a critical role in preparing the next generation of health professionals, discovering and delivering new treatments and cures and delivering high quality health care,” said Dr. Brooks Jackson, dean of the Medical School and vice president for health sciences. “The benefits of Governor Dayton’s proposal extend far beyond the Medical School. It will significantly strengthen our ability to work among all of the health sciences to address some of our most difficult health questions.”
 
The University will continue to seek $25.5 million for its Healthy Minnesota initiative, part of the 2015 biennial budget request. The initiative would expand education and training programs in dentistry, psychiatry, mental health and geriatrics—particularly in Greater Minnesota and underserved communities.
 
Diversifying the faculty
When the University recruits new faculty members, it does so with a belief, shared across the institution and articulated in the new Strategic Plan, that excellence and diversity are inextricably intertwined. A diverse faculty is essential to providing our students with the knowledge and perspectives needed for life, work and citizenship locally and globally and is consistent with the University’s mission and values.
 
Vice President for Equity and Diversity Katrice Albert will join Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Karen Hanson to review a faculty of color hiring initiative. The initiative incorporates what the research evidence says are best practices for hiring faculty of color, particularly those from underrepresented populations.
 
This initiative supports the commitment to ensuring that the University is a place where all faculty feel welcome and thrive.
 
The Board will also:

• learn how the U is advancing industry partnerships. The newly revamped office of University Economic Development will update the Board on its efforts to advance a university-wide economic development strategy, including several collaborative initiatives that strengthen corporate engagement, connect business needs with university capabilities and foster economic development activities across the state.
• consider a resolution related to UMore Park. The president and senior leaders will share new analyses and recommendations to embark on a market-driven approach to development at UMore Park. The Board will consider a revised vision for UMore Park that is focused on maximizing financial return, implementing market driven and market-sensitive approaches, avoiding financial risk and reflecting the U’s core mission.
• discuss strategies for supporting student success. A strong relationship between enrollment management and financial aid is essential for recruiting, enrolling, retaining, and graduating the very best students. Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Robert McMaster will review how the U of M balances these goals with emphases on need-based aid, merit-based aid and the growing needs of middle-income students.
• consider a $15 million capital budget amendment to begin designing the Athletes Village project on the Twin Cities campus. Athletic Director Norwood Teague will present summary information on the Athletes Village concept, which includes new practice facilities for football and men’s and women’s basketball and the Center for Excellence - an academic-and nutrition-focused building for all student-athletes.
• receive an update of the current landscape of Division I college athletics. More specifically, Teague and General Counsel Bill Donohue will review and analyze the changes to NCAA legislation related to the newly formed Autonomy Group and current legal challenges.

Committee meetings will begin 8 a.m. Thursday. The full Board will meet at 9 a.m. Friday. More information, including meeting times and locations, can be found on the Regents website.