Cynthia Mitchell

The Board of Trustees held a special meeting to address the formation of a Presidential Search Advisory Committee, including the rationale and process for soliciting campus partners and developing a candidate profile. Public comment was received regarding the importance of faculty and staff involvement in the search process. Additionally, the Board moved into an executive session to receive legal advice regarding pending legal and personnel issues.

The Board of Trustees held a special meeting to discuss the presidential search process, including the selection of search firms and the launch of a new website. The Board also approved the Ninth Supplemental Resolution to the Master Enterprise Bond Resolution to establish a pricing committee for potential bond refunding. Furthermore, the Board appointed Kamel Haddad as the interim president of the university, effective August 2, 2026.

The committee reviewed the annual audit report, which resulted in a clean report with no findings, and discussed the Athletics Financial Report. The meeting also covered the second-quarter financial report and forecast, highlighting budget adjustments, expense management, and cash flow considerations. Furthermore, the committee evaluated the budget assumptions for the upcoming fiscal year, including enrollment projections, compensation increases, and long-term planning for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The board also held an executive session to discuss the sale of Educational Broadband Services and pending personnel issues.

The meeting agenda includes various institutional reports from the President, faculty and staff councils, and the University Foundation, alongside a legislative and cybersecurity update. Key action items involve faculty personnel recommendations such as emeritus status, promotion, tenure, and leaves of absence, as well as several amendments to the Board Policy Manual. The board also intends to review the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, state capital construction requests, and an operating agreement amendment. Discussion topics cover the Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 strategic plan, athletics, water resiliency, and the status of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by an executive session for legal and personnel matters.

This strategic plan, titled "Rowing, Not Drifting 2030," is structured around five phases: Students First, Empower Inclusivity, Enhance & Invest, Innovate & Create, and Connect & Celebrate. Key objectives include expanding student enrollment and success through comprehensive support and engagement frameworks, establishing an institutional framework for equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, implementing a sustained and competitive total compensation strategy for faculty and staff, advancing an innovative and market-responsive academic portfolio, and strengthening institutional visibility, community engagement, and partnerships.