Athena Rayne Anderson

This document outlines the University of Wyoming's integrated approach to education, research, and engagement, emphasizing their role as Wyoming's land-grant institution. Key strategic pillars include enriching student experiences through research and internships, empowering communities via extension and technical assistance, and advancing economic vitality through industry and community partnerships. The university prioritizes addressing state needs in agriculture, energy, natural resource management, and rural community well-being, while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. These efforts aim to promote prosperity, ensure accessible education, and contribute to the university's financial sustainability and national competitiveness.

This report details the accomplishments of the University of Wyoming's Research and Economic Development Division (REDD) for Fiscal Year 2025 and outlines its mission and management goals for Fiscal Year 2026. The strategic direction focuses on increasing research expenditures and reputation across all disciplines, fostering economic development through a vibrant innovation culture and state-wide technical assistance, strengthening organizational continuity and communication, investing in workforce development, and advancing operational excellence to support the research and innovation enterprise.

The Budget Committee meeting agenda focuses on crucial budget issues, including updates on Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) funding usage and the transition to the Wyoming Business Alliance (WBA). Key financial discussions include the status of Housing debt and Bond Debt requirements satisfaction, a proposal for the UW Student Fee Book for Academic Year 2026-27, and the financial awarding strategy for AY2027-28, including a discussion on the ROTC request and consideration of the Daniels Fund MOU renewal. The committee will also review the FY26 Q1 Budget vs. Actual overview, the Fiscal Year End Carry Forward Report, a foundation quarterly report on matching funds, and the FY2027 UW Budget Development Timeline/Calendar. Information items include the Foundation account spending review for specific scholarship and reserve funds, and the UW Transportation Plane flight report.

This document presents an annual review of the University of Wyoming's undergraduate student financial aid strategy. It outlines the history, current impact, and proposed enhancements for student financial aid, building upon a strategy initially approved in 2019. Key objectives of the strategy include enrolling Wyoming citizens, maintaining affordability, limiting student loan debt, retaining students, and increasing aid from gifts. Proposed enhancements, effective for the 2026-2027 aid year and extending through AY2027-28, focus on maintaining a competitive and equitable scholarship structure, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, increasing clarity, consistency, and compliance, strengthening donor engagement, and improving the overall student experience.

This document outlines the multi-day schedule for the Board Meeting, beginning with committee meetings on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Key discussions scheduled for Thursday, November 20, include an Executive Session, a UW President Update, Public Comment, and presentations on the Land-Grant Mission, Research Excellence (Elk Mountain Observatory), and Tier I Engineering Annual Report, as well as spending reports from various Foundation-managed funds. Thursday's proceedings also feature Trustee Committee Reports, including a Final Report from the Shared Governance Working Group and the UW Student Fee Book Proposal for AY 26-27 from the Biennium Budget Committee. Friday, November 21, is reserved for a Business Meeting, which includes necessary Executive Sessions, the approval of previous minutes (from September and October 2025 meetings), updates from ASUW, Staff Senate, and Faculty Senate, and a discussion of proposed items for action.