Derrick Cook

The Board discussed major university developments, including leadership awards, research funding, enrollment, and legislative updates. Key action items approved include the substantial modification of graduate degrees in Mathematics and Science Education, the Second Amended and Restated Ground Lease for the O'Connell Hall student housing project, an increase to the Maryland Economic Development Corporation Letter of Intent cap for housing development, and a new policy on the use of body-worn cameras. The meeting concluded with an adjournment into a closed session to discuss various administrative, legal, and financial matters.

The board meeting agenda focused on key committee reports, including academic and student affairs, finance and facilities, and audit and institutional assessment. Action items included the approval of an accelerated engineering program, policy updates on graduate assistantships, title changes for degree programs, and consideration of an honorary degree candidate. Financial agenda items involved the review of operating and capital budget requests, tuition rate adjustments for partnerships, and multiple student housing lease agreements. Additionally, the board addressed the annual financial audit results, the upcoming audit plan, campus safety, EEO reporting, and pending litigation.

The town hall meeting focused on providing information regarding the 2026-2027 housing application process for returning and new students. Key discussion points included the housing application steps (preparation, timing, budget, and proper completion), current and projected housing capacity, the assignment of Baldwin Hall as male-only for Fall 2026 due to increased male attendance, and temporary housing arrangements at the Lord Baltimore Hotel for returning students whose assignment in Harper Tubman Hall will be delayed until mid-November 2026. The presentation also detailed the four-step housing process, including application launch, self-selection (which operates on a first-come, first-served basis determined by application submission time), check-in notification requirements (full-time registration and financial clearance), and final check-in/arrival. Specific instructions were provided for students selecting Legacy or Thurgood Marshall Hall regarding licensing agreements. Challenges such as roommate selection limitations, non-refundable application fees, and strict policies on pets and late check-ins were also addressed.

The emergency meeting included an overview of the agenda and a statement that the Board would vote to move to Closed Session to seek legal advice regarding Amendments to the Supplemental 403(b) and 401(a) Retirement Plans, exempted under the Open Meetings Act. Following the closed session, the Board reconvened to approve several items en bloc, including the Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan, the State of Maryland Higher Education Institutions Supplemental 401(a) Matching Plan, the Investment Policy Statement for the MSU Board of Regents, and the MSU Board of Regents Plan Delegation Resolutions, all effective January 1, 2026.

The meeting commenced with remarks from the Chair, including the announcement of plans to appoint a special Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Committee and a committee to review Board bylaws. The President's Report covered significant developments such as new coaching hires, Homecoming 2025 success, fall 2025 enrollment, plans for student housing (O'Connell and Harper-Tubman) and the Lake Clifton property, institutional updates on research status, security, and the Medical School. The Finance and Facilities Committee presented five action items for approval, including seeking an additional $3 million for the MEDCO Student Housing Development LOI cap (raising it to $12 million), amending the Hoen Building and Research Centers leases to extend terms and change billing frequency, seeking contingent approval for the Washington Avenue Lease tied to a Department of Defense grant, amending the AT&T Cell Tower Lease Agreement, and revising the policy on granting limited benefits to contractual employees to include the Juneteenth Holiday. The Audit and Institutional Assessment Committee provided informational updates.