U of M outlines measures for student success, innovation, community, MNtersections and fiscal stewardship commitments

Today, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents took its final steps toward setting the strategic direction of the University when Regents approved a set of metrics they will use to measure University progress. 

The measures, which are part of the University’s first ever systemwide strategic plan (MPact 2025) signal how the Board and University President Joan Gabel will work toward achieving the five commitments outlined in MPact 2025. Measures cover topics from the diversity and success rates of students during and following their University education; research growth and rankings; and engagement in industry and other efforts to benefit Minnesota; to metrics that outline expectations for tuition rates and student aid, sustainability and the efficient use of University resources.

“Systemwide strategic planning has long been top focus for this Board and it’s fantastic to see that energy come through as this plan begins to be implemented,” said Board Chair Ken Powell. “This most recent step of establishing how we’ll measure success within that plan is absolutely critical to ensuring that the University’s programming and efforts align with our shared goals of supporting our students, faculty, staff and the state.

“For the first time in our University’s history, we have a comprehensive roadmap for the system, one with defined commitments, goals and measures,” he added. “This not only charts a course for the years ahead, but will ensure the University’s continued leadership and commitment to the state of Minnesota.”

MPact 2025 brings together the unique strengths of the University’s five campuses statewide with the power of a systemwide approach focused on the following commitments: 

• Student Success, more specifically meeting all students where they are and maximizing their skills, potential and well-being in a rapidly changing world;
• Discovery, Innovation and Impact, further explained as channeling curiosity, investing in discovery to cultivate possibility and innovating solutions while elevating Minnesota and society as a whole;
• MNtersections, defined as work inspired by Minnesota to improve people and places at world-class levels;
• Community and Belonging, a promise to foster a welcoming community that values belonging, equity, diversity and dignity in people and ideas, and;
• Fiscal Stewardship, which focuses on stewarding resources to promote access, efficiency, trust and collaboration with the state, students, faculty, staff and partners.

“From the outset, MPact 2025 has been inspired by the State of Minnesota, not only because it’s our University’s cherished responsibility to serve all Minnesotans, but because we draw so much inspiration from our home state as we commit to top-tier impact,” said Gabel. “MPact 2025 reflects the University’s 170-year-old mission of world-class research, teaching and service. More importantly, it creates a unified, systemwide strategy that will allow us to maximize the University’s impact and create a stronger future for Minnesota and the world.”

Data related to the measures will be reported to the Board and public in a University Progress Card and dashboard that will be updated frequently.

The Board also:

• Approved a purchase with Google Cloud, which makes possible an innovative and groundbreaking health sciences degree program offered at the Rochester campus. NXT GEN MED will bring together the University, Google Cloud and Mayo Clinic.
• Approved the appointment of Dr. Calvin Phillips, who will join the University in March as its new vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
• Discussed student diversity and academic outcomes in three focus areas: diversity in recruitment and admissions, student success and addressing achievement gaps and supporting diversity and success in the University’s Graduate School.
• Discussed employee compensation as part of an annual report from the University’s Vice President for Human Resources Ken Horstman.
• Received an overview of comparative tuition rates and strategies for the Crookston, Duluth, Morris and Rochester campuses.
• Discussed an early annual budget framework for the University’s fiscal year 2022 budget.
• Approved a set of guiding principles for future campus master planning for all five campuses across the University system.
• Discussed the vision for the evolution of the Twin Cities campus to inform updates to the campus master plan.
• Approved proposed changes to Board policy that would permit select licensing and sponsorship relationships between the University and alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
• Discussed the findings and recommendations of the comprehensive public safety review of the Twin Cities campus with the report’s author, Dr. Cedric Alexander.

 
The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet next on March 10-12, 2021. Visit regents.umn.edu for more information.