Dylan Zwick

The meeting included a special presentation on athletic revenue sharing, NIL policies, and Title IX compliance within the athletics department, highlighting support for women's sports. The Board received updates on the strategic planning process, which is currently focusing on finalizing foundational pillars for a new five-year vision. Various reports were provided, including an update from the President regarding legislative session preparations and the reintroduction of a regular Faculty Senate report. Student association updates were shared, focusing on engagement and communication. Business committee actions included the approval of investment and financial reports, and the Board held a closed session to discuss personnel matters before approving honorary degree recipients and a commencement speaker.

The Board of Trustees meeting covered several strategic and administrative topics. Discussions included a National Advisory Council report on AI integration and marketing efforts, an update on Olympic opportunities and the potential for a new aerodynamics center, and a graduation logistics review. The board received reports from the university president, alumni association, faculty senate, and staff council, alongside an update on the university's cross-institution strategic planning efforts. Additionally, the board approved several new curricular items, including new certificates and degrees, an administrative unit change, and accepted the monthly investment report and campus master plan updates. The session concluded with a discussion on the role of AI in higher education.

The board approved changes to the upcoming meeting schedule and reviewed the 2026-27 tuition and fee adjustment proposal. Presentations provided updates on enrollment goals, covering dual enrollment, student onboarding, retention metrics, and financial aid strategies. The board received reports from the university president, alumni association, faculty senate, staff advisory council, and student association. Additionally, the board approved several academic policy changes, including new degree programs, program name changes, the discontinuance of an administrative unit, and accepted various financial and investment reports.

This document outlines the discovery phase for Weber State's next strategic plan, which seeks to guide the institution's future direction. This preparatory phase involves extensive listening, research, and collaboration to shape a new vision. It identifies five strategic pillars: access, learning, community, completion, and post-graduate success, while also emphasizing the unique Weber State experience. The plan aims to be transformative and student-focused, anticipating the needs of future Wildcats and building on its history of positively impacting lives.

The meeting included initial administrative actions such as the confirmation of leadership transitions, including the introduction of the Interim President, Interim Provost, Interim Vice President for Student Access and Success, and Interim General Counsel. Key administrative actions included the appointment of the Interim General Counsel to Board Secretary and the appointment of a Trustee to the role of Business Committee Chair. Faculty discussed the value of sabbaticals for faculty retention, noting the approximately $3 million annual cost versus other retention methods. A presentation was given on the Comprehensive Campaign, noting that Weber State is transitioning to the formal public phase on January 9th, having already raised $114 million toward its $200 million goal. The update on the Strategic Plan emphasized continuing core operations and entering a 'listening and research' phase during the leadership transition. The Business Committee approved several monthly and annual financial reports, including investment, residence, auxiliary enterprises, and discretionary fund reports, as well as a Bad Debt Write Off. The Academic Policy Committee approved program reviews for Early Childhood Education, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Geography.