Eric Bennick

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.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the previous session held on September 18, 2025, and the subsequent approval of the Full Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule. Key information sessions included a review of the Fall 2025 Graduation Ceremonies schedule. Faculty presented on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a teaching tool, detailing the shift toward assessing durable skills and the limitations of Large Language Models. The Information Security Manager presented on escalating cybersecurity risks, particularly AI-enhanced financial aid fraud and phishing attacks, and the required compliance updates. The National Advisory Council Liaison reported on the NAC's focus areas, including strategic plan updates and positive feedback on leadership transitions. An update on the strategic planning process confirmed work on five pillars, utilizing community insights and SWOT analysis to draft a plan for the spring, and highlighted strong interest in Innovation and Improvement Grants. Presidential reports featured three Student Presidential Leadership Fellows sharing their positive experiences, while the Alumni Association reviewed successes like Homecoming Week and WSU Salutes awards. The Student Association shared positive engagement activities and initial feedback gathered concerning mental health and admission barriers. The Business Committee presented several action items which were approved, including changes to the Athletic Department Abusive Coaching Policy, public treasurer confirmation, approval of Monthly, Quarterly, and Investment Committee reports, and approval of the FY 27 Budget Request, FY 27 Capital Request, and Capital Improvement proposals. The Audit Report was also approved.

This document outlines Weber State University's strategic direction, detailing both ongoing strategic reinvestment initiatives and the development of its 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. The current strategic efforts involve significant programmatic and administrative restructuring, including disinvestments and targeted reinvestments, guided by principles of student-centered approach, workforce demands, and fiscal efficiency. The upcoming 2026-2031 Strategic Plan is structured around five core pillars: Access, Learning, Community, Completion and Postgraduate Success, and the Weber State Family Experience, aiming for simplified institutional goals and improved accreditation alignment.

This document outlines the development of Weber State University's Strategic Plan for 2026-2031, which is built upon five core pillars: Access, Learning, Community, Completion and Postgraduate Success, and Weber State Family Experience. The plan's development follows a period of strategic reinvestment, involving program disinvestments and resource reallocations to enhance fiscal efficiency and align with institutional goals. The overarching vision is to foster student success, increase enrollment and retention, and balance workforce demands with student learning and development.