Duane Faber

The board met as a committee of the whole to receive a progress report on the Equity 2030 strategic priority for Minnesota State. Key topics included a review of longitudinal data regarding student persistence, completion rates, and equity gaps across various student populations such as race, ethnicity, income status, and first-generation status. The presentation emphasized the importance of data-informed strategies, institutional adaptation to changing student needs and resource constraints, and the commitment to closing persistent achievement gaps to support workforce readiness and student success.

The committee meeting focused on the second reading of the fiscal year 2027 annual operating budget, including tuition rates. Key discussions included a review of a janitorial services contract for Minneapolis Community and Technical College, a first reading of board policy 6.11 concerning facility management and operations, and a second reading of the 2028 capital budget guidelines. The committee also received a legislative session overview and previewed upcoming discussions regarding the allocation framework for future fiscal years.

The committee discussed the proposed merger between Inenver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College. Key topics included the presentation of a recommended new name, Minnesota Valley College, for the combined institution, as well as the branding strategy and mascot selection process. Board members inquired about the impact of the name change on technical program enrollment, noting the importance of effective marketing to highlight applied learning opportunities. The committee also received confirmation regarding the adherence of the proposed name to system policies and the role of the Higher Learning Commission in the merger process.

The Board of Trustees held a meeting to review and approve the 2025-2027 labor agreement between the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota State College faculty. The board received a presentation from the labor relations team regarding key economic terms, including salary schedule adjustments, wage differentials for technical faculty, and updates to insurance eligibility criteria for contingent faculty.

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee held a meeting to review three board policy amendments. These included proposed amendments to policy 2.1 regarding Campus Student Associations, policy 3.1 regarding Student Rights and Responsibilities, and policy 3.6 regarding Student Conduct. Additionally, the committee received a presentation from the leadership of Minnesota State University Moorhead concerning the university's renewed strategic framework, which aims to enhance student enrollment and academic experience.