Christopher Robert Austin

The meeting included public comments regarding a Resolution for a Sanctuary Campus and a resolution concerning political violence and the First Amendment. The President's report acknowledged the work of students and noted the transition of the board chair. A significant portion of the agenda involved approving professor emeritus rank for several retiring faculty members: Emil Boasson, Stephen M. Colarelli, Joanne M. Dannenhoffer, Felix Famoye, Leslie A. Hildebrandt, MaryBeth Minnis, Larissa N. Niec, and Kari L. Rojas. Consent agenda items included the approval of prospective graduates for Fall 2025, the awarding of honorary degrees for December 2025, approval of faculty sabbatical leaves, reappointment to the Clarke Historical Library Board of Governors, acceptance of the Office of Research and Graduate Studies quarterly report, and approval of various Public School Academy and School of Excellence actions, including board member changes, reauthorizations, and new authorizations (e.g., Rising Stars Academy). The Finance and Facilities Committee reported on approvals for deferred maintenance projects totaling $5,700,000 for FY 2026-2027, and approvals for renovations for Merrill Residence Hall and Ronan Hall, and renovations for the College of Business Administration and General Administration buildings.

The schedule outlines committee meetings for February 11, 2026, covering the Policy and Bylaws Committee, Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Enrollment, Retention and Student Success Committee, Finance and Facilities Committee, University Advancement Committee, Innovation and Workforce Partnerships Committee, Trustees-Student Liaison Committee, and Trustees-Faculty Liaison Committee. The formal session is scheduled for February 12, 2026. Key discussion items for the committees include reviewing board bylaws, faculty personnel transactions, research quarterly reports, updates on strategic enrollment management, housing and food rates for 2026-2027, audiovisual system replacements, lease agreements, collective bargaining agreements, investment policies, and reports from various liaison groups. The formal agenda includes actions related to the Finance and Facilities Committee, such as authorizing housing and food rates and approving the acquisition of radio stations.

Discussions during this special meeting included the receipt and authorization for use of the independent audit report from Rehmann Robson LLC for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The Finance and Facilities Committee reviewed future gas rates. Furthermore, a resolution was approved authorizing a donor Pledge and Promissory Note for an interest-free loan, not to exceed $3,200,000, to fund the Women's and Men's Golf Facility.

The meeting included a presentation from the College of Business Administration. Key actions involved approving the list of prospective graduates for Summer 2025 and accepting the quarterly report from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies regarding awards received through June 30, 2025, totaling $3,466,933. The board also addressed changes to Public School Academy boards, including appointments and reappointments for several academies such as A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School, Countryside Academy, FlexTech High School, Founders Grove Classical Academy, Greater Heights Academy, Inkster Preparatory Academy, and Oakland FlexTech High School. Changes in boards for cyber schools, including Insight School of Michigan and WAY Michigan, were also handled. Facility actions included changing the names of Graduate Housing East and West to University Apartments East and West. The board authorized the negotiation and signing of Advancing Health Together contracts and gift agreements, not to exceed $4,200,000, paid through gifts. They accepted the Advancement Private Support report as of June 30, 2025, and approved new endowments and scholarship criteria changes, including the James C. Chapin Memorial Scholarship and the Bonnie Jean Varker Schultz Endowed Scholarship. Furthermore, the board approved revisions to the Board of Trustees Bylaws, approved university and presidential priorities for 2025-2026, and approved the 2025-2026 University Strategic Plan Goals and Measures. A special meeting was scheduled for October 27, 2025, to receive the external audit report. Finally, new officers were elected for calendar year 2026.

The Board of Trustees meeting includes discussion and potential approval of various topics. Academic and Student Affairs Committee will discuss university engagement, student affairs, academic affairs, higher learning commission accreditation, and student recruitment and retention. The Finance and Facilities Committee will discuss facilities updates, deferred maintenance projects, residence hall renovations, business administration and general administration buildings renovations, a women's and men's golf training facility, campus utilities contracts, Consumers Energy easement, state capital outlay report, international student deposit, delegation of lease authority, marketing budget increase, advancement private support report, and endowments/awards/scholarships. The Trustees-Faculty Liaison Committee will discuss the College of Medicine Standardized Patient Program. The Trustees-Student Liaison Committee will cover introductory comments, student government association report, program board report and residence housing association report. The formal session will cover emeritus rank, reports from various committees, consent agenda items, an update on the Advancing Health Together initiative, resolutions to recognize Covenant HealthCare support and authorize the University President to negotiate an agreement with MyMichigan Health.