Diane Zaino Chase

The Academic, Research, and Student Success Committee addressed fourteen agenda items, including eleven action items. Key approvals included the creation of a new Bachelor of Science in Data Science at the University of Houston-Downtown, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Molecular Pathophysiology at the University of Houston, a Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at the University of Houston-Victoria. The committee also approved Faculty Development Leaves for FY2026, honorary degree candidates, a new policy for Endowed Deanships, Chairs, and Professorships, FY2026 Faculty Workload Reports, and FY2026 Tenure and Promotion Actions. Furthermore, authority was delegated to the Chancellor to execute a contract for curriculum management software. Information-only reports covered Student Success Measures, Research Expenditures and Awards, and the University of Houston System Audit and Compliance Committee Charter and Checklist.

The Board meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss legal, real estate, personnel, and security matters, followed by an open session where Governance and Administrative Revisions to Board Bylaws and Policies were approved, incorporating updates required by Senate Bill 37 from the 89th Legislative Session. The Board later addressed an Open Forum presentation from a faculty member regarding shared governance. A ceremonial swearing-in was held for the new Student Regent. Committee reports covered numerous action items requiring final approval, including partial liquidation of a quasi endowment, various faculty actions (hires, development leave, workload), approval of a new academic program, revisions to transfer admission standards, delegation of authority for contract negotiation and execution concerning the FY2026 Budget and capital projects, and modification of banking/investment resolutions. Key actions taken later in the session included the approval to delegate authority to transition the University of Houston-Victoria to the Texas A&M University System, approval of Faculty Council Bylaws for several UH System components, authorization to submit a compliance report to the State Legislature, approval of the Board of Regents Planner for FY2025-FY2026, designation of an Honorary Chair, and resolutions of appreciation for a former Regent and a Senator. The meeting concluded with a final Executive Session where contractual incentives for the Chancellor/President, System Administrative Memoranda policies related to freedom of expression, and ratification of personnel contracts within the Athletics Division were approved.

The Endowment Management Committee addressed four agenda items, consisting of three action items and one information item. Key discussions included a report from NEPC on the investment performance of the University of Houston System endowment and non-endowed portfolios as of June 30, 2025, noting strong returns driven by U.S. equities and private markets. The committee approved a recommendation to negotiate and execute contracts for hiring a hedge fund manager, specifically approving a $12.5 million investment into Evanston Capital's Alpha Strategies to maintain policy target hedge fund exposure. Furthermore, the committee approved the full redemption from one International Public Equity manager (Edgbaston) and reallocation of proceeds to the Acadian International All Cap Equity Fund. Finally, approval was granted to liquidate up to $10 million from the core pool quasi-endowment to fund a loan for the athletics department, with repayment over an 11-year term.

The committee convened to present nine items, six of which required action and three for information only. Key actions approved included delegating authority to the Chancellor to negotiate and execute contracts exceeding $1 million for goods or services (excluding construction) and for construction contracts exceeding $1 million across the University of Houston System. Approval was also granted for a one-time payment of $2,000 to eligible faculty and staff at the University of Houston earning $100,000 or less annually. Furthermore, the committee approved delegating authority for contracts related to the design and construction of the expansion of the Student Center North Building at the University of Houston, approved the annual update to the University of Houston Downtown Master Plan, and approved the annual review of the Committee Charter with no changes recommended. Information items covered the annual report on building and facility conditions, a report on the sale of Consolidated Revenue and Refunding Bonds Series 2024A and 2024B, and the Fiscal Year 2024 results of financial operations for the System.

The Audit and Compliance Committee meeting involved the presentation of six agenda items, including one action item requiring approval. Key discussions included the University of Houston System Institutional Compliance Hotline Report for the three months ended July 31, 2025, and the Annual Compliance Initiative, focusing on health care compliance and HIPAA risks. A state-mandated report on employee reporting of sexual harassment, assault, dating violence, and stalking was presented. The committee also reviewed and approved the Audit and Compliance Committee Charter and Checklist, the Committee Planner, the Annual Internal Audit Plan detailing compliance with IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, and received a summary of completed internal audit reports and the compliance review of UH System Support Organizations for Fiscal Year 2024.