Brandi Bickham

The committee discussed four information items. The first item was an Information Technology update, focusing on compliance with the Graham Leech Blly Act (GBA) safeguards rule. Updates included revising the risk register, conducting tabletop exercises for cyber incidents and disasters, completing the national cybersecurity review, ensuring mandatory security training completion (94% rate), and automating account access restriction for non-compliant employees. Additionally, a network penetration test was completed, and the cyber quotient assessment for the Tennessee Treasury was finalized. The second item covered internal audit reports, which included audits on technology access fee expenditures, the cyber incident response plan, and the annual audit of the President's office expense schedule. The third item discussed the requirements for independence and objectivity of the Office of Internal Audit as per Institute of Internal Auditors guidance. The final item provided an update on the 2025 annual Clearary Act security and fire safety report, discussing crime statistics trends relative to population growth within the designated campus perimeter.

The meeting commenced with the calling to order and roll call. Key discussions included providing an update on the student trustee selection process for the 26-27 academic year, which involves student applications, screening by a committee, and final recommendation by the University President to the Student Affairs Committee. Information was also provided regarding implementing the 'Engage' strategy, showing increased engagement indicators such as nearly doubled program attendance in the first six to eight weeks, an uptick in counseling sessions, and increased usage of the Governor's Connect platform. It was noted that this is the first cohort fully unaffected by COVID-19 high school impacts, leading to shifting engagement trends back toward pre-COVID levels. Additionally, an update on career success highlighted the 'GOVS Get Hired' strategic framework focusing on career readiness pillars. Finally, the committee received information regarding the transformational support from the Mean Foundation for a new basic needs facility intended to increase capacity for providing food and essential items to students.

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the September 12, 2025, meeting. Key discussion items included a presentation on supplemental fall enrollment data, which showed a total enrollment of 11,547, an increase of 3.2% from census day, driven by a shift from part-time to full-time status for some students. The committee also received an update on the Student Success Task Force initiatives, focusing on evaluating first-year experience activities, optimizing data governance, and improving retention through social engagement interventions, where significant increases in student engagement were noted after targeted outreach. Additionally, updates were provided on academic program development, including progress on the MS in Athletic Training and MS in Environmental Science, and the intent to develop a new Honors College. Finally, progress on utilizing institutional data through a new data governance council and a partnership with DatacKind for AI predictive models was detailed, alongside efforts to reimagine the general education core.

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the September 12, 2025 meeting. Key discussions included the consideration of the October revised budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, which addressed enrollment revisions, tuition revenue increases due to a 7.15% enrollment growth, adjustments to state appropriation projections, and increases in expenses for salaries and benefits aligned with actual positions. Discussions also covered the need for expanded campus infrastructure, including new residence hall space, and concerns about the state funding formula's structure which lumps LGIS with UT. Furthermore, the committee considered and approved the sale of the property located at 529 York Street. The property, originally purchased to be a president's residence, was deemed too costly to renovate ($3.5 million) and was divided into two parcels for sale.

The meeting included a campus spotlight featuring the executive director of physical plant and the director of landscape and grounds. The physical plant department maintains buildings, infrastructure, landscape grounds, and custodial services. The campus has grown to 200 acres with 118 structures. The grounds crew is the first response during snow and ice storms, prioritizing resident students' needs. The campus is recognized as a Tree Campus USA and has a Campus Greenway Trail. The meeting also covered reports from the Academic Affairs Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Business and Finance Committee.