U of M continues progress toward key goals

What: University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting
When: 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Where: Sixth floor, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis

Throughout the 2016-17 academic year, the University of Minnesota system continued to make positive gains toward the vast majority of measures in the University Progress Card, a robust tool used to track progress on high-level institutional goals.

Regents will receive the second annual update on Progress Card focus areas, adopted in October 2015, at their meeting next week.

The Progress Card outlines strategically measurable goals — called Gold measures — that establish an at-a-glance road map for the future. It also provides insights into important trends ­– called Maroon measures – that are a signal of institutional strength, but the University does not solely influence their progress.

While multi-year trends will develop as tracking continues, several Gold measures had year over year gains. These include, among others:

• Increasing graduation rates (Twin Cities campus four-year rate to 65.2%, Pell-eligible students rate to 47.4%, Rochester campus six-year rate to 62%);
• Higher Twin Cities campus freshman average ACT score (28.3);
• More institutional gift aid system-wide ($246M);
• Greater Twin Cities campus R&D expenditures ($881M); and
• Continuing progress toward reallocating $90M in administrative costs by 2019.

Among the Maroon measures with positive trends are the 3-year graduation rate for Twin Cities campus transfer students (62.4%), lowering of the median undergraduate debt at graduation for students system-wide by .5 percent or $131, and 17 percent more Minnesota Innovation (MN-IP) agreements (81).

“We’re encouraged that the great majority of Progress Card measures are moving in the right direction,” said President Eric Kaler. “Tracking our progress in this way makes a meaningful difference and it helps document the undeniable upward trajectory of the University toward increased excellence.”

More alumni, more engagement
With 571,000 alumni system-wide, the University’s Alumni Association (UMAA) serves as a key connector between graduates and their alma mater.

In their annual update to the Board, UMAA leaders will outline how alumni engage with the U of M through a variety of experiences, including the growing corporate alumni networks. Presenters will also highlight the positive effect alumni have on the University’s mission, and discuss plans to further strengthen engagement in the coming year.

The Board will also:
Receive an annual update on Gopher Athletics. Among the areas Athletics Director Mark Coyle will highlight are student-athlete academic success, athletic accomplishments, the department’s budget, facilities and fundraising.
Discuss UMore Park. Regents will consider the first planned sale of land for residential development, including the parcel size and general timeline to complete the sale, among other updates.
Recognize retiring Rochester campus Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle and introduce new University leaders, including Crookston campus Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause, Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Bernard Gulacheck and Humphrey School of Public Affairs Dean Laura Bloomberg.

The full Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Regents will hold their summer retreat immediately following. More information, including meeting times and locations, can be found on the Regents website.